[Free Toolkit] Solutions For All Your Storytelling Goals!

Omigosh, the end of the year is almost here. How did that happen? 

It can feel like a bit of a crunch to wrap things up before the holidays arrive and I go full egg nog. 

That said, I like to build in time around the year-end to reflect, read, take stock, and consider my goals and projects for the year to come. 

With this in mind, I’ve compiled a few resources to help YOU pursue your storytelling passions and projects, whatever they might be. 

Treat this newsletter as a choose-your-own-adventure. Scroll through and check out the stories that relate to your goals for the coming year. 

This year, what do YOU want to do?

Here are some ideas 

Create better business communications

• Hiring & retention (Part 1): can better communications help?
• Hiring & retention (Part 2): how to get your message across
• Hiring & retention (Part 3): how to express gratitude
• What is the right (and wrong) thing to say

Write an email newsletter or blog that doesn’t suck

• How to write an email that won’t end up in the trash
• How to write an email newsletter or blog — and do it your own way
• If you only publish on social media, read this!

Connect better with my readers and audience

• Data vs imagination
• Why you shouldn’t get too comfortable with your writing
• Two things the most effective stories do
• Want to connect deeply with your audience? Help people feel seen

Write a book

• Checklist: should you write a book
• How long should your book or content be
• How long should it take to write a book
• Want to get published? Self-publish? Here’s what you need to know
• How to write a book, with Molly Galbraith

Stay consistent with my writing and publishing

• How to write & publish on a regular basis
• How to stay consistent with your writing
• Can’t write? Can’t focus? Can’t find the time? Four alternative writing methods that work

Keep going even when it feels hard

• Trust the process & other tips from my garden
• It’s okay if you’re not a great writer
• Are you up for this? (A message of hope)
• Struggle & love
• Tenacious storytelling in tough times
• Are you feeling frustrated

Overcome fear, self-doubt, and resistance

• How to write without restrictions
• Worrying about saying the wrong thing? Try this
• The right way to be wrong
• Be willing to be wrong
• Why you need to get over being humble
• It doesn’t have to be profound
• How to work with (not against) your inner censor
• Do I need 10k followers to get started
• What writing confidence really looks like

Improve my writing / become a better writer

• Do typos matter (no flayers please)
• Six prompts to boost your storytelling impact
• To be a better writer, just read
• Is your storytelling missing THIS key ingredient
• Cheat sheet: How to make your rough draft better
• The tension & return dance
• Are you in the first 10% or the last
• How to find your authentic voice

Collaborate with other people 

• Become known for your writing even if you don’t like to write
• Should you hire a ghostwriter

Figure out what to write about

• Where to find your best story ideas
• 101 Things to write about
• If you’ve ever had a problem, you have a story

I hope this has been helpful to you. I’ve got loads more tools, stories, and resources coming up for you this year… including a free, 31-day writing challenge for thought leaders. Stay tuned for that!

Plus, be sure to check out my latest podcast episode, featuring curator Lillian O’Brien Davis. 

Lillian is the Curator of Exhibitions and Public Programs at Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography. If you’re not familiar with what a professional curator does, you might be surprised at the overlap between art curation and thought leadership.

Lillian and I cover a number of valuable topics including: how to bring together a variety of ideas and perspectives; the best way to get “butts in seats”, a better way to credit people for their work, how to speak up about difficult subjects, and so much more. 

Have a listen anywhere you listen to podcasts: Apple, Spotify, Google, or on my website.

Whatever your exact goals, here’s what I vote for:

Let’s make this year YOUR year to tell your stories.

To share your thoughts, ideas, and unique point of view — with empathy, authenticity, and generosity. 

To claim your space and put your unique fingerprint on the subjects or concepts you want to own.  

To contribute bigger ideas and deeper thinking, and lead with meaningful communications that matter.

To show up consistently no matter the obstacles in your way, and make the impact that only you can make. 

I can’t wait to see what you do.