Improve how you connect with potential customers and you may find that they become committed, loyal actual customers. This is the simple proposition of this book, showing how to use stories and storytelling to build a brand, develop a connection and nurture a business relationship.

Make no mistake. You are not going to make a faux story about being inspired as a child to do something with all the clichés of traditionalism and adversity. The story is part metaphor and part building block. There is no real rocket science behind it, yet it is something most people are guilty of either ignoring or failing to always thoroughly consider. It can be all too easy to be 'blind' to one's own products and services since you know it all, have worked with it and perhaps wrongly assume that everyone else will 'get it' and 'love it'. Other mistakes can include wrapping up a proposition in jargon or failing to demonstrate a real need or just seeming fake. The list is endless.

Yet look at how some successful companies do it. You don't have to have the financial resources of Apple, for example, to do some of the things that they have done to great effect. Even the smallest of companies can weave a good story and use it to develop a brand - even if it only shall service a local area - and create an authentic, creative and appreciated entity in the process. Within the book, the author does a good job in explaining the importance of the storytelling art, using everyday language to great effect. The hard work still falls into your lap, however, but you will be better-armed with a plan of action to understand what may make human customers react and respond to.

It is not a magic act. You still need a compelling proposition. You probably won't be selling ice to the North Pole, but you should be communicating differently, acting differently and reacting differently and hopefully seeing your business grow if you successfully implement all of the author's advice. Even if, for whatever reason, you do not or cannot get fully on-board with the book, it still will give a lot of good data to lead to eventual change or modification.

It has a lot of potential to offer the astute, receptive reader.

Building a StoryBrand, written by Donald Miller and published by Thomas Nelson. ISBN 9780718033323. YYYYY

This is a really good book for anyone working in marketing or product development. So many things you read in this book can make you think of your favorite brands, and also show you how they are successful. I loved the simple metaphor or hero and guide! Customer is king message has been reiterated. Thank you netgalley for this book! I hope to learn a thing or two, and implement those concepts in my own product.

BUILDING A STORYBRAND by Donald Miller is the number one selling hardcover business book according to the charts in today's Wall Street Journal. Its subtitle is "Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen" and it begins with tons of testimonials from practitioners and small business owners who are amazed at its effectiveness. I am curious to see if these principles can translate to other entities like our school library or our school district when voters are deciding on funding levels. Miller advocates using the StoryBrand7 Framework, refining your website to be clear and compelling and executing the StoryBrand Marketing Blueprint's five tasks (create a one-liner for your company; create email addresses using a lead generator; create an automated email drip campaign; collect and tell stories of transformation; create a referral generating campaign).  I wondered about the emphasis on emails, but Miller says a 20% open rate is industry standard. It's an interesting take on a marketing plan and should pair nicely with Simon Sinek's START WITH WHY.

There is a good overlying message here but the tone screamed to me infomercial and it distracted from the good content.