Is there any creature noisier than a blue jay? I’m not sure, not in my neck of the woods, at least. And you always know when one is nearby – you don’t even need to see it.
Just the other day I was raking in the backyard, and one landed on the wire overhead and immediately began to squawk and announce its presence to us all. I looked up, watched for a moment, but soon tired of the outbursts and went back to raking.
Soon after, a small flock of sparrows, landing in the hydrangea bush, caught my attention. There were maybe 3 or 4 of them, flitting in and out of the branches. I was mesmerized watching them do what they do best: chirruping, nibbling, hopping about.
It was certainly more interesting to watch them being sparrows, than it was to rake leaves, for sure – and it was way more compelling and entertaining than being talked down to by a blue jay.
You don’t need to be loud to get noticed. You just need to show up and do what comes naturally to you and do it well.
Then it dawned on me: You don’t need to be loud to get noticed. You just need to show up and do what comes naturally to you and do it well. Whatever that is, from baking and selling your own cookies to operating a coffee shop to running a nonprofit for restaurant workers – do it well, find ways to connect with your audience, and people will begin to pay attention.
Sure, making a little noise at first, a little chirruping when you arrive, can’t hurt. But what is often so much more attractive and compelling is what you say, what story you tell, once you’ve landed on a sturdy branch, and not how you tell it. In other words, don’t just be a loud squawker – it’s for the birds.
What do you think? What’s your story?
Speaking of stories to share, we have been tweaking and updating things at Mortimer Communications, including re-launching our website. I encourage you to click over and take a peek.
And, as an incentive, we’re offering a FREE e-guide, Why Don’t They Understand My Story?: Three Simple Tips for Ensuring Your Messaging is Working. It’s a quick read and shares a sampling of our “secret sauce” to help you start telling a better story today. Just scroll to the bottom of the home page, fill out the form, and we’ll send it to you.
When you do that, you’ll get signed up to receive my newsletter and emails, which allows us to stay in touch and to share storytelling resources, tips, and other useful information, about once a month.
Also, if it’s been awhile since we’ve spoken, feel free to schedule a meeting to catch up. I’d love to find out what you’ve been up to, what changes you may be planning for the remainder of the year, and how we can help.
Henry Mortimer is a communications expert who has been distilling noise into compelling narratives for 30+ years. He launched Mortimer Communications in 2008 to help others craft authentic, compelling stories to help organizations and individuals increase sales, improve customer satisfaction, and fuel growth.
Most people struggle to tell their story in a way that gets results. Mortimer Communications offers a simple process to craft a more engaging narrative that inspires your audience to act, and lets you achieve your goals.
Head to MortimerCommunications.com to find out how. Don’t forget the FREE e-guide that can help you start telling a better story. Just scroll to the bottom of the home page, fill out the form, and we’ll send it to you.
