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First time going to South Dakota! Aug 29, 2023

I’ll be doing 2 strategic storytelling workshops there!

My goal for the audiences: massive change.

If they utilize the concepts shared, they will:

-boost sales
-enhance internal communication 
-and create a vibrant company culture

…all through the power of strategic storytelling. 🗣

The next 72 hours are...

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We often treat our people like baseball players; three strikes, and you're out! Aug 28, 2023

We’re constantly on the lookout for… 👇

 

…others’ mistakes.

This mindset is bogus!

Creating an environment that tries to be mistake-free will crush your organization’s creativity.

Stop focusing on your team’s mistake and how it's “hurting your business,” and teach them to utilize mistakes for g...

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When I entered politics, I obsessively studied LBJ, also known as the Master of the Senate. ⤵️ Aug 28, 2023

Whether you loved or hated him, President Johnson possessed a fascinating capability...genius-level strategy.

I used to spend countless hours studying how Johnson would play congress like a game of chess.

Though some of his tactics were brutal, I respect how much long-term thought he put into acco...

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Today is my 37th Birthday! ...but I actually have a gift for you today. 🎁 Aug 27, 2023

Here are 37 things I've learned over the years...

1. Everyone on the planet (even super successful people) have some form of an inferiority complex

2. Great copywriting is a superpower

3. Share powerful stories to get your point across

4. Fight as hard as you can to be your ideal, healthy weight

5. Rea...

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I spent 1,000 hours on LinkedIn, so you don't have to... Aug 25, 2023

Here is the most important framework that I learned...

1. You have to understand your Ideal Client Persona (ICP).
2. You share stories that relate to your ICP.
3. You engage (comment, "like," etc.) with your potential clients.
4. You network (virtual coffee/meet IRL) with your potential clients.
5. You ...

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How Hobbies Make You More Creative | Stories With Traction Podcast Aug 25, 2023

SUMMARY: In this episode, Terence Farrell and Matt Zaun discuss how our hobbies can make us more creative in life and business.

TERENCE FARRELL BIO: Terence served as a Chester County Commissioner for 12 years, and before that, he was the Recorder of Deeds for 8 years.  Today, he is the President of ...

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When it comes to great stories, we need a foe. Aug 23, 2023

Quick, let's go listen to a story of someone who has it all together and has never struggled in their lives... 
.
.
...said no one ever.


Why is that?

When it comes to great stories, we need a foe.

People love struggle/victory stories.

In business, we want it to be easy, but that doesn't give us a good st...

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Florida Keys! Aug 22, 2023
 

Over the weekend, I spoke in the Florida Keys. 28th strategic storytelling workshop of 2023, and 1st spousal retreat! It was awesome! Flew into Miami, and drove the entire Overseas Highway. Literally got to the end of Route 1. It was incredibly gorgeous. Love speaking all over the country, me...

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The Future of Events and AI | Stories With Traction Podcast Aug 19, 2023

SHOW NOTES:

PODCAST EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode, Rajeev Kapur and Matt Zaun talk about how COVID changed 1105 Media’s business and how they were able to be creative to continue to deliver value to their clients. In addition, they talk about the future of in-person events and why leaders should e...

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”I treat the janitor like I treat the CEO” Aug 17, 2023

I've heard some people say, ”I treat the janitor like I treat the CEO,” and that's noble, but sometimes, these same people will completely destroy themselves with criticism.

So though they value the lives of others, they don't take their own life into account. 

You treat everyone else with dignity a...

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“If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.” Aug 16, 2023

Actually, to “make it anywhere,” it takes solid mentorship…

…and that’s been my secret weapon for years.

Last week, met with two of my amazing mentors, Scott Mason and Rob Chenoweth, in NYC.

I'm excited to continue to grow and change based on their recommendations.

Wanna crush your goals? It all come...

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2 years ago, I showed up at Jeff Bezos’s house. Aug 16, 2023

No, not his 200,000,000 house in Beverly Hills. 

The house he started Amazon in.

I was speaking at a company in Bellevue, and his old house was literally down the street, so I had to see it for myself.

This garage is where Amazon was launched.

Today, it’s the 5th most valuable company on the planet.

I...

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I’m a huge failure. 👇 Aug 16, 2023

It took me 200+ talks before I felt comfortable speaking.

It took me 100+ articles written before I felt comfortable writing.

It took me 50+ podcast episodes before I felt comfortable podcasting.

Want to feel more comfortable? 

Find wise people who know what they're doing, learn from them, and then i...

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AI can NOT… Aug 16, 2023

Take the place of:

-Empathy
-Compassion
-Love

A lot of people are talking about AI, but they’re not setting the groundwork to combat it.

If you want to create a vibrant company culture, you need to have a surge of storytelling…

…because storytelling touches on all these points (empathy, compassion, love)...

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The Back to School Party that would change music forever…👇 Aug 16, 2023

On Aug 11th, 1973 (half a century ago!), Cindy Campbell threw a party in the recreation room of her apartment building (1520 Sedgwick Ave, The Bronx, NY).

She had her brother, Clive Campbell (DJ Kool Herc) run the music.

Little did anyone know, Hip-Hop would be birthed that night.

What started out a...

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Instead of trying to manipulate people, I challenge you to inspire those around you instead! Aug 16, 2023

Here are some thoughts to help you motivate others to buy-in to your ideas:
 
➡️ 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆. You do NOT need to make-up situations and lie to #communicate persuasively. By being authentic and real with people, you’re putting yourself in a position to make a genuine connection with some...

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Failure today can lead to way more success due to LinkedIn! Aug 16, 2023

Here’s what I mean…

Let's use a writer like J.K. Rowlings as an example...

Twelve different publishing houses rejected her manuscript before she finally found a publisher.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was first published on June 26, 1997.

Years before LinkedIn became popular. 

So Rowlings, eve...

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Did I make a mistake? 😳 Aug 16, 2023

Last week, I was teaching my 9-year-old how to set goals, so I used one of my BIG goals as an example. 

He lit up with excitement as we spent an hour going through numerous details.

He even gave me some good suggestions.

At the end of the conversation, he said, "awesome; now you can prove to me how t...

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The Storytelling System | Stories With Traction Podcast Aug 11, 2023

PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Claire Davis and Matt Zaun talk about how they created a storytelling system and positioned it to boost sales and enhance their marketing efforts.

CLAIRE DAVIS BIO: Claire is a branding consultant that helps people write their stories.  The Stories With Traction podc...

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𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲? Aug 07, 2023

I’ve never quite understood it. When a speaker cries in front of an audience, they’re connecting with people on one of the deepest levels. 

Should they apologize for being real?

Should they apologize for being vulnerable?

Should they apologize for giving a glimpse into their reality?

No.

The audience...

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Always Fall Forward | Stories With Traction Podcast Aug 04, 2023

 

 

PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Jacob Brown and Matt Zaun talk about how to turn failure into fuel for growth.

JACOB BROWN BIO: Jacob is a former NFL athlete turned entrepreneur, transformational speaker, and writer.

For more info, check out Jacob here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobaaronbro...

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How is Your Motivation Impacting Culture? | Stories With Traction Podcast Jul 31, 2023

PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Lori Halverson and Matt Zaun talk about the motivational level of leaders and how this can impact their company culture.  In addition, they dive into the importance of keeping everyone accountable regardless of generation.

LORI HALVERSON BIO: Lori is the President of...

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How to Build a Legacy | Stories With Traction Jul 28, 2023

 

 

SHOW NOTES:

PODCAST EPISODES MENTIONED:

Stories of Leadership

How to Get Involved in Politics

SUMMARY: In this episode, Terence Farrell and Matt Zaun discuss ways leaders can get more involved in their communities and why it’s important.

TERENCE FARRELL BIO: Terence served as a Chester County Comm...

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Wanna piss off your prospects? Jul 28, 2023

Wanna piss off your prospects?

-Talk about yourself all the time
-How awesome your company is 
-How many achievements you have

Yadi-yadi-ya

Wanna captivate your prospects?

-Share stories where they see themselves in your story!

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