Free toolkit: top 5 storytelling problems & solutions
What’s holding you back?
Writing — especially courageous, game-changing thought leadership and other stories that matter — can be hard.
So today, I’m sharing five of the most common challenges that people run into while trying to improve their thought leadership and storytelling...
...Plus (here’s the really good part) free, downloadable tools to help you blast through each challenge.
This post is like going back to school for storytelling. You’ve basically got a backpack’s worth of free tools right here to elevate your communications.
All I ask is that if a tool is helpful to you, please share it with someone else who could benefit. If you agree that stronger storytelling benefits everyone, join me in passing it on.
With that said, let’s dive in:
Challenge #1
“I want to get in the habit of writing and publishing regularly but can’t seem to stay consistent.”
Tool: Editorial Calendar template → Get it by clicking here
Why it helps: If you want to write a blog, email newsletter, or any kind of regular content, an “ed cal” will help you plan your ideas out in advance, according to a cadence that works for you. This helps you commit to a steady pace, and prepare ahead of time so you’re not always under the pump to get something written. (My template is set for every two weeks, which works for me and some of my clients, but you can tweak it to match your preferred consistency.)
Challenge #2
“I’m terrified of saying the WRONG thing. How do I avoid screwing up?”
Tool: 10 time-tested communication principles. → Get it here camilledeputter.com/communicationprinciples
Why it helps: I wrote this during the early days of the pandemic, but the fact is, life is always going to throw curveballs. Every situation is different. These basics can help you feel good about how you communicate, no matter what’s going on.
Challenge #3: “I’m afraid of how I might be perceived. As soon as I start writing something, my inner censor gets in the way.”
Tool: My simple 2-step method for dealing with the inner censor: camilledeputter.com/blog/censor
Why it helps: If you just try to push your inner censor away, it will only get worse, and you won’t benefit from any legitimate feedback it has to offer. Instead of hiding from it, OR letting it take over, learn to incorporate it into your process. Your writing will become more efficient, as well as braver and bolder.
Challenge #4: “My own perfectionism is holding me back. The imposter syndrome is causing me major writer’s block.”
Tool: 14 day journaling workbook → Get it here:
camilledeputter.com/14-day-journaling
Why it helps: If you’re not ready to publish, practice getting into the groove through journaling. This journaling workbook will give you focus and help you practice writing without any pressure to share what you write. Plus, the prompts are designed to be uplifting, so you can enjoy the process of journaling, not agonize over it.
Bonus tool: Embrace the writing confidence rollercoaster (downloadable mini-comic): camilledeputter.com/blog/what-writing-confidence-really-looks-like
Why it helps: Print out this mini-comic and keep it near your desk, computer, wherever you write. It will remind you that confidence ebbs and flows, but the writing process just keeps on going.
Challenge #5: “I want to tell stories that matter. But I’m not sure how to get started.”
Tool: The What, Who, Why, and How Worksheet → Get it here: camilledeputter.com/what-who-why-how
Why it helps: These basic questions are the building blocks of effectual writing. Yet so many people skip this step! Take the time to answer these questions. You'll learn how to tell your stories in a powerful and purposeful way — starting immediately.
Was this helpful to you?
What’s YOUR biggest challenge when it comes to storytelling? Write me back and let me know!
Meanwhile, remember that storytelling can be a challenging process, but putting your thoughts and ideas into the world is one of THE most rewarding things you can do. Never forget how much your story matters.