In January of 2011, my sister died of a very rare form of cancer. I often described Joyce as a cross between “Lucille Ball funny,” and “Goldie Hawn cute,” which describes her to a tee. She was an amazing artist with talent for making jewelry with precious stones, and she also had the knack for helping women feel absolutely gorgeous by wearing the perfect colors, makeup, and clothes that brought out their best. She especially loved working with women who were a little older and who had lost a little of their confidence. She brought it back.
It was a very difficult time, as I’m sure you can imagine. Two days before she passed, she said to me, “You know, I can’t believe that I didn’t go after my dreams. But there was always tomorrow. I would live my dream when we had more money, when things settled down a bit, when I finished the project I was currently working on, and when my husband was on board with my business. Basically, I would do it when we were in a place where I could take that time out for myself. But there was always something else that needed my attention. And now, there are no more tomorrows.”
I have to tell you that hearing this broke my heart into a million little pieces. I reflected on her words for the days and months that followed her death until finally making a decision – no, making a commitment – that even though I could no longer help her, I could help others who wanted to become better known. Of course, I was already doing that with McCall Media Group, but I now had a new sense of grit and determination. If anyone came to me wanting to get their message out into the world about their business and their book, I would help them do that. It was as if I was now, in some way, helping Joyce too.
That story still makes me cry, and it impacts others as well because I get more responses to this video on my website than anything else. This is a shortened version that starts at 1:30 into the video, in case you’re curious.
Nothing is as powerful as a compelling story.
Over Valentine’s Day, I told the story of how my husband and I first met, which is here. Many readers wrote back to me about it, saying how much they enjoyed reading it. Thank you very much. It was wonderful to hear your responses.
The power of story can not be underestimated.
Stories impact people. They change people. They move people. They get people to act. And they move you, too.
What’s your story?
And what is the story of your book?
Knowing your story and telling it in a concise, powerful way is a game changer. Figuring it out may begin with some simple questions:
What made you decide to write your book? Was it because…
…you had an experience, searched for a book to help you through that situation, and not finding one, you decided you had to write the book yourself?
…you had a powerful early life experience that must be shared in the hopes that it helps others going through something similar?
…after a lifetime of doing your work, you want to leave a legacy that helps other people well into the future?
…you want to use the book as a “business card” to generate new business?
…it’s an item on your bucket list?
…you want to give it to your family members so they know about your robust life?
…something else not yet on this list?
What made you decide to write the book? Whatever it is, write it down. Sharing it in some form can reap huge rewards for you, such as during the launch of an interview. It’s right after that all-important first question, which sets the tone for the entire interview.
Bottom line
Remember. When you land any kind of interview, no one is interested in just the facts regarding your book or business. There needs to be an emotional component – a way for you to connect not only with the media person, but with each person in his or her audience. When you speak from the heart as you tell your story, others are moved. This is what we want. Not in an artificial, manipulatory way, but in a sincere, authentic, honest way. Once you establish that, you are well on your way to a fabulous interview.
To your success!
Joanne
#MysisterJoyce
#PowerofStory
#BookMarketing
#BookPublicity
If you’d like to receive juicy publicity secrets directly on a regular basis, join the Savvy Sunday Community at the bottom of this page.