Tell Your Story – Page 2 – Tell Your Story

January 17, 2014

We're talking about our very own Amanda Pollard, who's expecting her first child in February. If you know Tell Your Story, you know Amanda. She was the agency's first full-time employee and is an award-winning marketing and social media powerhouse who plans and executes some of our most visible and successful client campaigns. As she prepares for her pending arrival, the Tell Your Story team threw her a surprise baby shower to send her off in style. And speaking of style, you should see the adorable nursery she and her husband Ben designed and furnished in anticipation of their coming arrival. Please join us in wishing Amanda and her family the very best during this exciting time!...

October 31, 2013

in Blog, Interesting Things, Tell Your Story News

by Angi Day

Tell Your Story is on a Mission

We’ve thrown our hat in the ring for a Chase Mission Main Street℠ Grant, and we would love your support. VOTE HERE. Or read more to learn more. What is Mission Main Street℠ Grants? Mission Main Street℠ Grants is a program by Chase that awards 12 small businesses grants of $250,000 to help grow their businesses. The program is sponsored by Chase, Google and a diverse group of organizations. To apply, each small business must create a business profile and answer five questions about their business that will be reviewed by panelists to determine the winners. Tell Your Story has created a profile, which can be viewed here. We also answered questions – in 500 characters or less – about Tell Your Story. It’s sometimes hard answering questions in 500 characters, but I think we did a good job. If you agree, we would love your vote. Tell us about your business. What...

June 20, 2013

in Blog, Social PR News, Client News, Interesting Things, Events, Tell Your Story News

by Nicole Benzer

SVM Debuts New Brand Identity at #SHRM13

What annual conference connects over 15,000 human resource professionals to 800 exhibitors under one roof? None other than the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) expo! Tell Your Story had the opportunity to witness the excitement firsthand this week at the SHRM 2013 Annual Conference & Expo at McCormick Place. This year’s turnout was reportedly the largest in the show’s history—even the show’s Twitter hashtag, #SHRM13, was a trending topic on the social media site. With a guest speaker lineup including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Blake Mycoskie, and Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords, hundreds of educational sessions, and a performance by Kelly Clarkson, there was undoubtedly enough to be excited about. However, the Tell Your Story team was most enthusiastic about the chance to work hand-in-hand with client SVM, a global leader in incentive and motivation solutions, in their booth. Over the past few months, Tell Your Story developed and launched an integrated...

June 4, 2012

in Blog, Events, Business Marketing Association

by Amanda Pollard

Chickens, Brand Architecture and Other Things I Learned at #BMAGROW

Business Marketing Network Association

I’m still digesting all of the great presentations and experiences from this year’s, 2012 Business Marketing Association National Conference, GROW, but here are a few things I learned:

Chickens and Brand Architecture Just Don’t Mix

You had me at chickens, but lost me at architecture. I loved the start of the presentation by BBN Global Network, Bader Rutter and Pfizer Animal Health about Global Brand Activation. Pfizer Animal Health’s poultry business embarked on developing a global brand and they started out by using great visuals in their presentation evoking affection and emotion about what they do. Then they got into the brand architecture and positioning mumbo jumbo language and hard-to-read slides and lost me. Then again, maybe it was too early after a late night at Red Head Piano Bar.

Consistent Quality Networking is Key to Career Happiness

I’ve had the great opportunity to attend many national BMA conferences. I am involved on the local level and have always worked for companies who believe in the value of the organization. Over the past four days, it was confirmed to me that the ones doing the right amount of networking consistently over time are the ones who are most successful and happiest with their careers. BMA gives B2B marketers that forum.

March 27, 2012

in Blog, Brand Communications, Social PR News

by George Rafeedie

My Industry Is Not On Social Media

The next time someone tells you, “My industry isn’t on social media,” pause and kindly say:

“The last time someone told me that, I walked out of the room. But I like you guys, so I want to help you see the light.”

Sadly, the last time I had this opportunity, I chickened out.

Actually, the last time I had this opportunity, I should have walked out!

If I hear one more person say, “I’m not on Twitter because I don’t care what you had for breakfast,” I may throw my breakfast up onto my iPad. Or maybe even that person’s Blackberry. (Yes, a little dig.)

We’ve overused the term social media. To our detriment, business leaders of organizations both big and small, have actually listened to the social media hype. But they are still not getting it.

I believe the term “social media” and an even older term “new media” should be banished from our vocabulary. In today’s world, it’s all about content. Content, and good brand stories, aren’t only king, but they are the center of our universe.

“If companies want to engage, learn, share and grow, then they need to develop and share their stories and at least test out all channels of communications – from traditional channels to innovative channels maturing every day.”

Yes, social media channels have content that not all people care about. Like what I had for breakfast and where I “checked in.” But so do traditional channels like TV, print and radio. We learn to block out what we don’t want to hear and consume what is valuable to our lives.

I thought we came a long way over the last few years with the explosion of new communications channels, but some are stuck and will never get out of the mentality that they don’t need to develop and share their story for success. And that’s a shame, because those organizations have great stories to tell and audiences willing to listen. And buy.

February 14, 2012

in Blog

by George Rafeedie

Our Story

Our latest overview presentation. Overview: Tell Your Story ...

November 15, 2011

in Blog, Brand Communications, Social PR News, Business Marketing Association

by George Rafeedie

Six Types of Networkers Everyone’s Met

Note: We originally developed a list of “types of networkers” in 2009 and were inspired to refresh and republish. It served as a great conversation starter at a recent Business Marketing Association Chicago event, and we think it can help people improve who they are as a networker.

It’s about to be that time of year again when we in the business world reexamine our (now digital) Rolodexes and start thinking about the connections we’ve made over the past year. For some of us that means embarking on an office scavenger hunt to gather up the dozens of business cards we’ve collected over the last 12 months. For others it means finally getting around to connecting with our coworkers on LinkedIn.

We are also going into the holiday portion of the networking season where good cheer and business cards are exchanged liberally. Networking, my friends, both online and face-to-face, is as important as ever.

It’s an undeniable fact that if there is one key to success in the professional environment of the 21st century, it’s networking. So what kind of networker are you? At Tell Your Story we’ve come up with a short list of the different types of networkers we’ve encountered over the years.

The “Feel Good” Networker –
You’re fulfilled both professionally and personally by networking. You love the art of networking and everything about it, but you’d rather describe yourself as a people person than a networker. There’s no place you won’t start a conversation with someone new. In fact, you met your most recent client during a layover in Albuquerque. Your friends no longer bother introducing you at parties – they assume everyone already knows you – and your iPhone takes hours to backup the number of contacts in your address book. You love helping others through networking and making connections that make sense. You’re good at it, and it has helped you and others be more successful.

The “I Have to Network” Networker –
You’re on the hunt for something, whether it be a new job, new business or a new hire, and you’ve decided to turn to networking. You dust off that stack of business cards you bought a few months back and realize you should have opened the package a lot sooner – hind-sight is always 20/20. You spend the next few days, weeks, or months networking like crazy until that new job is secured, then you shove those business cards back into black hole that is your desk drawer and await the next time you need them.

The “I Hate Networking” Networker –
You know who you are. Whenever you see a networking article on your Google Reader feed you sigh deeply. You get it, networking is important, but you’re holding out for the study that proves it’s just a fad. Besides, you can’t figure out where these people find the time to go to after work events and be active in professional organizations without sacrificing a personal life. You show up only to the events you’re obligated to attend and quickly make an exit when the opportunity presents itself. At the end of the day you pack up and head home and that’s the way you like it.

The “Uncomfortable” Networker
You’ve read books, attended seminars and even resorted to infomercial kits about networking. However, there’s a big gap between theory and practice and no matter how much time and money you invest, you just can’t seem to get comfortable doing it. Instead of making that first step you wait for someone to approach you. Many times you’ve found solace in clinging to the “I Hate Networking” Networker while nervously sipping your club soda and checking your watch – and at the end of the night you realize you forgot to ask for his/her card.

The “Obnoxious” Networker –
You go into every interaction with an agenda to make contacts and you’re always armed with business cards. Sometimes you get an inkling that the person you approached doesn’t want to hear your elevator speech, but you keep going. Your friends and coworkers roll their eyes at your tactics, but you know they work – you have successfully established an extensive database of contacts. This holiday season you’re slipping a networking book into the office grab bag and you don’t care who thinks that’s obnoxious.

The “You Should Go Network” Networker –
You’re a distant cousin of the “Feel Good” and “Obnoxious” Networkers. You love networking and have seen its benefits influence your own life. Now you want everyone you know to follow your lead. You instantly shoot emails to your friends and coworkers about networking opportunities and in the past you’ve had to fight off the urge to create a LinkedIn account for your spouse. Some people may call you pushy, but you know that you’re just giving good advice – even if it’s unwanted. “I Hate Networking” knows you’re right, and they probably hate you for it.

Here are some additional types of networkers we’ve heard from you in the past:

The “Job Hunter” Networker – Signs up for volunteer committees, then disappears once employed. Contributed by Cindy Droog @cindydroog.
The “Connector” Networker – Taking a page out of Malcolm Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point,” the connector builds bridges by offering up their contacts as resources to others. Contributed by Dick Strassburger @strass.
The “Networking Makes Me Feel Dirty” Networker – Feels as if networking is a dirty art perfected by politicians and copied by business professionals for their own gain. Contributed by Karrie Sullivan @shecanmarketing.

What are your thoughts about the category you fit into and what other types of networkers have you found out there?

October 7, 2011

in Blog, Brand Communications, Social PR News, Business Marketing Association

by George Rafeedie

Tell Your Story Joins Daymarck in Las Vegas

This past week we packed our bags and headed west to support our client Daymarck at the 2011 National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) 30th Annual Meeting and Exposition in Las Vegas. The exposition, which took place from October 1st through the 5th, is the nation’s largest trade association representing the interests of home care professionals.

We spent the week speaking with home health care professionals from across the country about the challenges they face in their industry and how Daymarck can help. Founded in 2007, by Nick Dobrzelecki, Daymarck is a remote medical coding company that aims to make the coding process as pain-free as possible for home health agencies. In a nutshell, Daymarck takes care of the coding and paperwork so that home health care workers can focus on what really matters – patient care. Intrigued? Watch the video we created for Daymarck for more information on how it all works.

In addition to attending, Tell Your Story’s efforts for the NAHC Conference included:

Creating Daymarck’s booth and all marketing collateral in-booth
Conducting media relations, meeting with industry reporters to secure Daymarck coverage in the news
Tweeting, Facebooking, and blogging before, after and during the show, including capturing photos and videos from the show floor
Developing press releases about Daymarck news
Creating a survey on an industry hot topic which resulted in hundreds of responses
Developing promotions and giveaways to drive traffic and engagement
Sending e-blasts about NAHC activities and Daymarck news
Creating a direct mail piece driving traffic to the booth
Supporting sales efforts with message development for sales team, follow up strategy and overall direction

This is just some of the latest work we’ve done for Daymarck. We’ve helped grow this startup over the past 2.5 years during which we developed and executed a full integrated marketing communications plan to build their brand in the home care industry, drive leads and support sales. We are true partners in their effort to improve the home health industry one code at a time.

Want to see more of our work on behalf of Daymarck? Follow Daymarck on Twitter and Facebook.

September 13, 2011

in Blog, Tell Your Story News

by George Rafeedie

Intern’s View – Tell Your Story Welcomes Deneen DiFranco

Deneen Marketing Communication PR Hi all! My name is Deneen and I am the new Marketing Communications Intern here at Tell Your Story. I am very excited to have the opportunity to help tell your stories and hope you enjoy reading my future blog posts. But before I start sharing those stories, here is a little about mine.

I recently graduated from Columbia College Chicago where I studied Marketing Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. My journey into the world of PR began at community college when I registered for what I thought was a journalism class mysteriously named Media Writing. That semester I learned about a profession I knew very little about previously and was hooked. I purchased an AP Stylebook, traded feature stories for press releases and never looked back.

I can brag that I have braved the last two Chicago winters, however I am originally from a small shore town in southern New Jersey where I, coincidentally, grew up on Windy Cove. You might be wondering why I chose Chicago over New York City and the answer is I like good pizza (sorry thin crust fans).

I am a self-proclaimed member of the grammar police (no oxford commas allowed) and spend far too much time researching recipes that I will never get around to actually cooking. However, lately I have been spending my days assembling Swedish furniture in my first apartment!

This is a very exciting time in my life and I cannot wait to utilize that enthusiasm in my work for Tell Your Story. Make sure to check back to see my progress and read about what our clients are up to! Better yet, suscribe to our RSS Feed so you never miss an update.

Feel free to email me at [email protected].

August 29, 2011

in Blog, Brand Communications, Business Marketing Association

by George Rafeedie

Bose: Making Trucking Safer

Chicago Marketing Professional Professional Business Communication

Wow.That is all I can say about the Bose presence at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas this week. Bose at a trucking show? Why would they have a big, expensive booth at a show catered to professional truck drivers? Oh, I get it. Sound technology, cool speakers, “pimped out” trucks with a bass boomin’ cab.

No. Nope. None of the above.

If you know anything about Bose, you know that it’s an engineer-driven company. Its history began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Bose’s core technology is based on the study of vibration. The study of vibration and how it relates to sound (and enjoying music and watching movies and sports on TV) has propelled it into one of the most respected companies and brands in the world.

So what’s the connection with truckers? If you’ve ever driven in a Class 8 truck, semi, or any vehicle made for hauling freight, you know that it isn’t the most comfortable ride due to many factors, including the constant vibrations. Vibrations are caused constantly throughout the truck, cab, drivers’ seat and, as Bose has found, the entire body of the driver!

We all know that truck drivers don’t have the healthiest of occupations. Sitting for long periods of time, bending and lifting heavy objects, stress, fatigue, the inability to eat properly maintained meals. Add constant vibrations to their bodies, and inner organs, and you can see why truck drivers are at more risk than average Americans for a number of health problems.

To help alleviate the issue of constant vibration, Bose has entered into the truck market with a revolutionary new seat for truck drivers. With a price tag of about $6,000 fully installed, drivers can experience an incredible reduction in overall vibration for a more comfortable, healthier, and life-prolonging ride.

To illustrate that point in their booth at the Great American Trucking Show, Bose constructed an elaborate presence complete with vibration stations, driving demonstrations, health statistics and many other proof points to show drivers that vibrations within a truck are harming drivers long-term.

For instance, one station cleverly demonstrated how the vibrations impact your vision. First, you watched a video of an intersection with changes happening, such as a light turning red or a pedestrian appearing. Next, you watched the same video as if you were in the seat of a truck, getting bumped around. It was amazing to see the difference. On the second video, you missed nearly all of the changes that were clear if you were riding smoothly. It was a genius way to demonstrate how the Bose product could prevent an accident.

Bravo to Bose. Examples like this are one of the reasons we love business-to-business marketing. Yes, Bose has been in the business of marketing to other businesses and professionals for some time, but who would have thought that they would market their vibration technologies to truckers. And better yet, this technology helps prolong the lives of hard-working men and women who help keep this country moving.

For more info on Bose’s heavy-duty drive system for truckers, visit http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/bose_ride_system/index.jsp .

The Tell Your Story family is growing!

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Intern’s View – Tell Your Story Welcomes Deneen DiFranco

Bose: Making Trucking Safer

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