“Impact Venture Capitalists!”

Hello Team…

That image above, there will come a time when “Yes!” we will have donated over $12.5 million to fund local charities. That time is not here yet. One day, though, it will be. That image (shown) is a design mock-up from my tech team.

I asked them to figure out how to present our “Donated Impact” in an appealing visual format. Those numbers are just placeholders. But when complete and done, and it’s been coded into the final site, it will be fully animated too – where numbers are updated in real-time, to see the growing Impact, as more and more Impact Venture Capitalists join our committed ranks.

But the lesson here is this: When Storytelling – every detail matters.

In fact, it’s the details that matter more than anything. Too many, focus on the broad strokes oppose to the minutia that is needed to set up the larger plot. And no, it doesn’t matter if you’re a charitable presenter (selected) – to present to Impact Club members – hoping to win the large donation given at each event…

Or a business owner or teacher that seeks to gain momentum and belief for an idea.

Stories are about conveying Experiences!

Stories are about putting the reader, the listener, the person you’re talking to, the audience member – right there in the scene with you. That way, he can see what you see. Feel what you feel. And react… as you would react…

Take this example, it’s from Patrick, a Storyteller on my team:

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A few years ago, I took a business trip to the west coast. On the flight home, over the rockies – the plane began shaking and shuddering violently. I was terrified. At times like this, I often look for signs of hope… Something. Anything. I swiveled around – eyeing the flight attendants. But what I saw only made me feel worse. No smiles. No smalltalk. They sat, frozen like statues, looking straight ahead.

This wasn’t ordinary turbulence… It went on – and on – and on. And as I sat there, clinging to my chair… digging my fingernails into the arm-wrests, the thought crossed my mind more than once: Am I going to see my wife again? I tried to picture Britney… and imagined myself returning home safely. Hugging her. Forgiving our cat, Boo-Bear, for peeing all over the rug. Suddenly I could relate. I was about to piss myself. And I wasn’t alone. A few passengers let out a “whelp” each time the plane rocked and shook.

Finally – like the voice of God booming from the sky – the pilot spoke to us. I strained to hear him over the whine of the engines. He explained how we were experiencing a phenomenon known as “clear air turbulence.” It had appeared suddenly and without warning. Then he told us “The plane is experiencing mild shock.” And he added, “We should be OK. The 737 is designed to handle this kind of stress.”

A few minutes later, we finally found smooth air. And we sailed home, frazzled, but happy to be alive.

I haven’t thought about that flight in some time.

But it popped back into my head today, when…

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Now…

Have you ever experienced turbulence on a plane? I know I have. A few times, really bad turbulence. And I did all those same things. Will I see my wife and kids again? All the while, trying to convince myself, “It’s fine. Nothing to worry about.”

But it popped back in my head today, when…

At this point, Patrick can transition from this setup story into his main point. Then carry “the turbulence analogy” throughout the storyline, to re-incite at different points, the needed feelings and emotions to strengthen his argument.

But, back to the details…

The details, are what made you feel like you were on that plane with Patrick.

Experiencing that turbulence, right next to him.

“I swiveled around – eyeing the flight attendants. But what I saw only made me feel worse. No smiles. No smalltalk. They sat, frozen like statues, looking straight ahead.”

“Forgiving our cat, Boo-Bear, for peeing all over the rug. Suddenly I could relate. I was about to piss myself.”

“Finally – like the voice of God booming from the sky – the pilot spoke to us. I strained to hear him over the whine of the engines.”

Again, my point is – as a Storyteller – and yes, every person is, whether they realize it or not. You may not be a good one, yet. But you are a Storyteller. Our job is to craft the details, that help the reader to Experience…

What we see..

What we feel…

What we think…

What we hear…

So that they too; your readers, listeners, customers, donors, etc. – whether it’s an idea that you’re selling in a business meeting or a cause that you’re pushing to impact lives – can be as passionate about the story as you are.

That means, if you’re not getting what you want from life right now (in whatever sense you interpret that) – it probably means you’re not telling the most effective story possible. Or, perhaps, you’re not telling that story to the right person or to the right set of people – who can back your idea and join you.

Thus: (1) Craft the best StoryEngine + (2) Tell it to the right audience

= The world is your oyster.

How do I know?

Because Impact Club is the exact outcome of that simplified formula.

Upcoming launch dates in New Cities:

May 30th – Impact Club Boise, ID

June 1st – Impact Club Eugene, OR

June 12th – Impact Club Appleton, WI

June 27th – Impact Club Union City, CA

More to come…

I’m in the process of scheduling July and August now – just waiting on date confirmations.

STICKING TOGETHER

Team – for the simple minds out there.

It really does dumbfound folks when they see you, me, WE, US – striving to Impact our local communities where there is no obvious agenda. “Who gets rich from this?” they ask. “Who buys the T-shirts?” etc. etc…

This must be like the Clinton Foundation. This must be a scam.

It sounds like a scam.

And sooner or later, these folks always point back to me – as if owning a company outside of Impact Club makes me evil. I ask, how the hell do you think I’m able to fund Impact Club if not for my other businesses?

The latest person to do so – I won’t name her – her words:

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“One other thing that might be of interest to some people is Ryan Fletcher. Eric said that Ryan helped him form Impact Club. My research of Ryan Fletcher shows that he owns a company called Agent Marketing Syndicate and that he “trains agents on the application & implementation of superior marketing and positioning strategies.” He’s extremely expensive.

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I guess (somehow) that makes me evil.

And yes, if by “superior marketing & positioning strategies,” she means pushes people to become high-level storytellers, so that they may practice Conscious Capitalism – a term popularized by Whole Foods founder, John Mackey, then yes, I am guilty as charged – and yes, I’m expensive too.

Guilty of that as well.

But then again, does that make me evil? Or does it just mean, I’m highly skilled in my area of expertise? And by others who choose to hire me, to achieve a task, they’re willing to pay for that expertise?

To put this into perspective, though, about her research:

Over the last 3 years, I’ve done 108 episodes of my podcast. That’s a lot of thoughts, beliefs, and convictions being enunciated to the world. Anyone can tune-in, I’m an open book. But be warned… I’m vocal.

I also wrote a book.

I also published 34 issues of my print magazine.

Not to mention, almost everyday to my core audience – outside Impact Club – I write a daily email, giving my commentary on new developments, Impact Club, and new business and storytelling ideas…

And yet, her “research” consisted of one 11-word phrase.

Go figure.

PS: Along the way, we’re all bound to make mistakes. None of us are above it. But what’s so annoying and childish is how quick some are to villainize those who made the mistake. Regardless of their recognition and apology, the moment they realized the mistake had been made. As someone recently said to me:

“Show me a man who makes no mistakes and I’ll show you a man who’s not striving… not thinking. Not going anywhere!”

KEEP INSPIRING OTHERS!

By the end of 2017, we will have raised millions to fund local charities.

-Ryan Fletcher

Co-Founder, Impact Club – forever Grateful.

PS: Encourage everyone you know to learn the Language of Story. If they do, life, business, fundraising, relationships, the attraction of opportunity, clients, money, love, etc. will be much easier for them.