'Tell Your Story To Sell Your Business'

That's an interesting title I thought - would this be useful for me? 

I am often thinking about how to 'market' my business and who my 'customers' are but not so much about my story - far easier to focus on the company rather than myself!  Also, getting training from a media trainer felt a bit different - and worth a punt - so I booked my place.  Miranda Birch, the media trainer did not disappoint.  

There were just seven of us on the course which was great for focused working and we were quite diverse so were able to hear different viewpoints from one another.  Miranda was great at putting us at our ease and getting us stuck in by asking us to write some 'copy' straight away....no time to think or fret about it.  There was a choice of topics to suit different businesses and I responded to the one about why I set up my business, The Funding Mentor earlier this year.  About 250 words Miranda said, in 15 minutes, sounded quite daunting but we all diligently fell into the task.  What we didn't know was that we then had to read our missives back to one another and provide constructive criticism.  We all took a sharp intake of breath!  However, we had nothing to fear as this was incredibly useful and with a supportive group I learnt about parts of my business that I was perhaps underselling - yes, you guessed it, my story!   What was also interesting was that we all had similar themes of 'starting over', nice to see those synergies in the room.

Miranda then provided us with tips about how to market 'our stories' and interviewed us on the spot about particular aspects of our businesses - we were all really good at this (Miranda's words not mine) and even managed to bear listening to the recording being played back!  There was plenty of opportunity to ask questions both of the trainer and of each other and we went away with back-up materials.  Also, there was the opportunity to network and exchange business cards.

So what did I learn?  Short answer, a lot in one and half hours.  I got a taste of how I could promote my business in a different way - looking at what is a good news story, what is my story, realising it is not just about the services my company offers.

This bite-sized learning session was definitely worth the punt! But don't take my word for it - take a tester session and experience it for yourself - I can highly recommend Miranda Birch's training for developing my view, and hopefully everyone else's, of my business.

Helen Scott
The Funding Mentor
www.thefundingmentor.com

If you missed this session but would like similar training, Miranda is also running Smart Learning: How to make the most of the media. October 19th: http://www.businessinbrighton.org.uk/makethemostofthemedia  

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk