Strategic Storytelling - Story Theater International

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Doug Stevenson, Founder of Story Theater International, located in Tucson, AZ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am a storytelling coach. My area of expertise is the strategic use of storytelling in a business or professional context. I am the creator of The Story Theater Method and a book by the same name. People come to me for help developing their stories and speeches for keynotes, training, and high-value presentations. My customers are business professionals at all levels, TED speakers, professional speakers and trainers, and fundraising professionals. I help people who have a story to tell but don't know how to tell it. I give them the tools, techniques, and guidance to make their stories come alive with story structure, humor and drama, and message branding.

Tell us about yourself

My background is in acting. I studied acting in various forms, from Method Acting to improvisation to stand-up comedy. I acted on stage and in movies and TV in Chicago and Hollywood. While I was unsuccessful at making it as a professional actor, the skills and disciplines I learned onstage acting in numerous Shakespeare productions, originating the role of Danny Zuko in the world premiere production of GREASE in Chicago and studying improvisation paid off when I transitioned to professional speaking. I found that my ability to perform a story using my acting and comedy skills makes me a sought-after and successful keynote speaker. Seasoned professional speakers asked me to teach them how to tell stories using these acting and comedy skills. That classes led to the development of my Story Theater Method, which I have taught all over the world over a 25-year period.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is being able to repurpose my skills, experiences, and wisdom from my theatrical background into a successful speaking, training, and coaching career. As an actor, I was the product. I learned to proactively market and sell myself, seek out agents and auditions, and form alliances with directors. I was the brand. As a speaker, I discovered that my stories became branded products that I could market and sell. I turned what felt like years wasted on acting into decades of prosperity using many of the same skills and aptitudes.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

The hardest thing to do as a business owner is learn how to brand yourself and your products and services. Because I began marketing and selling myself as an actor early on, when it came to marketing myself as a speaker, it was relatively easy. Most of my clients find it hard to sell themselves. Being able to tell a compelling story in a deliberate and professional manner enables people to sell who they are and what they do.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. If you believe in what you have to offer, proactively put yourself out there.
2. Develop stories that illustrate that what you are selling gets results for your clients.
3. Write articles, give speeches, ask for business, practice, polish, and promote.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.storytelling-in-business.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougstevenson1/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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