Promoting storytelling

On Friday, I presented a workshop at the 18th Annual Conference of Storytellers of Canada, called: International Perspectives on the Art and Tradition of Storytelling. The workshop was focused on promoting storytelling events, but the tips are also applicable for small business owners who are interested in promoting themselves in their community. Click here for the presentation.

Confessions of a storyteller

Click below to find out how I help businesses and families tell their stories.

On May 24th weekend...go jump in the brook!

Here's an activity that my daughter, Meredith Quinton, enjoys on May 24th weekend.














My favourite memory isn't just one memory, it's a tradition. Every year at my grandparents' summer home, in Portland, Bonavista Bay, my siblings and I all get our swim suits on and jump in the little brook on their property. It's the sort of thing we do :)

Here's my May 24th weekend story. What's yours?

For the past 15 years or so, we've been spending May 24th weekend at my parents' getaway in Portland, Bonavista Bay. The kids love it. We beachcomb, ride bikes, and dare each other to jump in the cold brook! My favourite part is late afternoon - cocktail hour. I sit with my father in the screened porch and listen to "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" by Jimmy Buffet. This is the first year my son Drew won't be joining us. He'll be on a school trip in Florida! Could our weekends together in Portland be winding down?

What's your favourite memory of May 24th weekend?

What's your favourite memory of May 24th weekend? When and where was it? Who were you with? What were your doing? Why was it so special?

We'd like to know! Share your story by commenting below or email diana@storiesworthtelling.ca. Your story will be posted to our blog on May 16th, to celebrate International Day of Sharing Life Stories.

What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?

During our weekly run and gab session, I was telling my friend about my involvement with the Intangible Cultural Heritage program. She chuckled at the 10-syllable phase and asked, "What exactly is Intangible Cultural Heritage, anyway?"

I realized that my friend was probably not the only person in this province confused by the term and its meaning. Since I'm chair of the celebration and transmission committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), I figured it's my duty to explain the concept.

Examples of intangible cultural heritage are story telling, building boats and homes, fishnet making, mat hooking, and singing.

According to the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH), sometimes called “living heritage”, comprises those non-tangible or physical aspects of a culture that define us. They can include traditional knowledge and skills, beliefs, oral traditions, customs, languages, music, dance, and celebrations. ICH is dynamic in that it is transmitted across generations and shaped anew as each generation innovates, experiments and adapts to changing social norms and values. Aspects of ICH can often be at risk of disappearing due to the increasing influences of globalization and mass media.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is hooked on Intangible Cultural Heritage. In fact, ICH is a key initiative of the Provincial Strategic Culture Plan. The program is managed by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Presently, our committee is working on profiles of people in the community who pass on elements of ICH. We plan to communicate their stories through the ICH newsletter, partners in the community, and through the local media. It's time to make Intangible Cultural Heritage a little more tangible by focusing on everyday people with skills to share.

Women entrepreneurs: Find your story

Earlier this week, I participated in a free teleseminar delivered by Lisa Bloom, a storyteller and professional certified coach. Lisa works with women entrepreneurs who are dealing with the stress of balancing the demands of their personal lives while building their business; women who are looking to be excited and fulfilled by their lives instead of feeling worn out.

Lisa was promoting her new teleseminar: Success Story Secrets. Although I haven't bought into the seminar, I was impressed by the points she raised.

She encouraged listeners to find their own stories - to do a little sole searching and to have the confidence to tell their own story to others. This style certainly fits many people, including me. Personally, I'm a lot more comfortable telling my story to potential clients, rather than trying the hard-sell approach of pushing services on clients.

To help develop your story, Lisa suggests answering the following questions:
1. What activities would you be involved in if you didn't have to worry about money?
2. What was your passion when you were a child or a teenager?
3. When have you felt really good about about a job or a hobby? When did you think, I'm good at this, and it matters to me?
4. What makes you laugh?
5. Ten years from now, what do you want to remember about this time in your life?

Lisa also talked about the types of stories you can tell:
1. Personal story
2. Branding story (the product or service that tells the best story gets bought)
3. Business story (stories to share with the team you work with)
4. Coaching story (how do you define your life? Coming up with this story helps spread positivity throughout all aspects of your life).

If you are interested in this approach, visit Lisa's web site.