10.15.2008 Wednesday: Beans the Magical Fruit

Picture of: stack of beans, tomatoes and hot sauce.

Today I: continued the search for the top of my desk, purging old files, making new ones; ate lunch with my wife; led a teleconference for those who ordered my "Outside In Storytelling Marketing" audio course; went grocery shopping for the family party coming up this weekend, hence the picture to the left. Making chili(s) for 30+ people takes a LOT of canned goods.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

10.14.2008 Tuesday: (Big) School Show

Picture of: my laptop (oh the pain) sitting on the table at the Rubio's restaurant today during my lunch and writing session.

Today I; picked up a rental car; spoke at the South Mountain Community College Storytelling Institute, demonstrating the "outside in" one-on-one coaching experience as well as telling two stories; ate lunch at the above mentioned eatery; went to the bank in the same parking lot; bought a stack of needed supplies at the Target in the same parking lot; came back to office and went on an overdue shredding/trashing spree with daughter #3; went out to nephew #2's football game; twittered; caught up on email; returned rental car

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

08.25.2008 Monday: Notify the Press!

Picture of: last piece of bread from our meal tonight.

Today I: had a staff meeting at breakfast and worked on calendars; updated and retooled the Storytelling 101 package to a different, lower price point; worked on the press release for the "Ancient Secret of Public Speaking" workshops coming up in October and November; set the date for the next live version of the "Outside In Artist Marketing Workshop" for February 26-28 in Phoenix Arizona; did some research on a new story and found some interesting old variants- that kind of storytelling stuff is what I love in creating new stories to tell; had a late night dinner with my wife to celebrate our anniversary (Aug 15).

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

08.18.2008 Monday: Recovery Day

Picture of: the things that still needed to be put away after the "Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp" from this weekend.

Today I: slept in a bit; put away some camp things; posted blog pics from the camp; ran the bank and post office errand trip; looked at new dates for the next camp; caught up on Twitter and Email; sent out contracts; began press release for the new "Ancient Secrets of Public Speaking" workshops

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

08.17.2008 Sunday: The Camp Concludes Cordially.

Picture of: screen of the video camera as daughter #1 video-ed me as I taught today at the"Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp" today.

Today I: got up really early to print up a few things for my students today at the camp; spent the last morning of camp today with good students, good family, good learning and good food (okay, the box lunches were not as good as I wanted them to be); hotel had a revivalist-style church in the meeting room next to us and they were *loud*- gladly my students were hang-loose types of people- thanks; got to teach something today in the OISBCamp that is really a cutting-edge marketing process for artists- fun and challenging to start sharing that learning with others; had one student take the discount coaching slot at the end of the camp so we spent an hour talking about her "map"; cleaned up the camp- but actually my fine family had already done much of it while I met with the student; made the trip home and took a nap; wandered down to make dinner; edited some audio files; wrote you this note; gonna go lay low for while.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

08.15.2008 Friday. Boot Camp Day and the 21st

Picture of: me teaching tonight at the "Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp" in Glendale, Arizona.

Today I: got my office phones fixed; cell phones are a pain in the neck- also I take these pics with cell phone- borrowed camera for this weekend; had to buy one of these cheap pay-as-you-go cell phones for our staff to communicate this weekend; assembled all the equipment we need for the OISBCamp; moved into the hotel conference room and set up; welcomed our students to camp and had a fun Mexican-style dinner; the accountant was the guest speaker tonight- great guy and thanks, Alex; during the talks tonight, we gave one tip out will immediately save one participant $800 per year by changing one aspect of her business. That tip alone is worth more than she paid for the camp. The OISBC works.

And...August 15 is the wedding anniversary for Michelle and I. Michelle, I love being married to you and would marry you again in a heartbeat. I love you, M.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

08.14.2008 Thursday: Gettin' Ready For Boot Camp

Picture: the schedule page of the new workbook for the "Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp."

Today I: put together all the parts and pieces for the OISBCamp; reorganized the handout pages into one workbook; cell phone is broken; office phones broken; assembled bags for OISBC guests;
went to Kinko's to get new workbook printed and bound there. Kinko's wants you to believe they are a great support for the small business person....and I completely agree. Me love Kinko's; spoke with a potential client on the east coast (U.S.) about coming out to them for a corporate workshop-talked with different potential customer yesterday also across the country on east coast. Busy.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

08.12.2008 Tuesday: The Ancient Secret

Picture of: screenshot of the web page for the "Ancient Secret of Public Speaking" Live Training Workshop I just posted.

Today I: have been trying to get through an FMS flare; attended a conference call for a master-mind program I am participating in; went to the bank and post office; completed the website and registration for our new "Ancient Secret of Public Speaking" workshop. I am very excited about our workshop that offers pro-level training in public speaking work offer the one thing "they didn't teach you in school" about really being effective in public speaking. Come take a look. Come join us; talked to the hotel about the set up for this weekend's Marketing Boot Camp.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

08.07.08: Ketchup

Picture of: stack of mail waiting to go out.

Today I:In the last few days I; finalized the meal choices with the caterer for OISBCamp next week, did post office and ban runs; prepped and mailed last-minute paperwork for the students in next week's "Outside In Storytelling Marketing Workshop;"worked on a dozen-page evaluation of my current work vs. where I want to be with my speaking and storytelling business over the next year; participated in a master-mind group; updated blogs; posted the new "Storytelling 101" kit and website; evaluated a CD for a client and wrote a jacket-quote for them; worked with another phone coaching client.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

08.01.2008 Friday: Hot Storyteller

Picture of: the place to get $1 drinks in a drive-thru location. Record setting temps in AZ, so this a very popular offer.

Today I: prepped for my big writing day on Saturday; talked with a coaching client; did bank and post office errands; shopped for Popsicles(tm) for sick child and bought cheap frozen pizzas for family "pizza and snacks" night; dug around for "Beauty and the Beast" variant; did Emailing for the "Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp" coming up in just a few weeks!

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

07.25.2008 Friday: The Enemy is Us.

Picture of: a storm. Got it at this website.

Today I: remembered that my role is to be the lightning rod anytime somebody doesn't want to look at the future of storytelling or take it past where it is; also watched "Joan of Arcadia" running again on the sci-fi network- great quote from there: "The first rule of the game of chess is to not play the other guy's game, just play your own."; was reminded that my style of teaching is not good for those who prefer unicorns and butterflies- when you come to the "Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp" in just a few weeks (space available), I and my people will treat you like gold but I will tell you what you need to hear not what you want to hear about the realities of being a working artist; it rained like crazy tonight. Oops, I used italics and quotes at the same time.

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

07.11.2008 Friday: Old Stuff

Picture of: old pictures of me and my performing arts troupe ("Friday's Faces") from years back: we started in 1986.

Today I: talked at length on the phone with someone who may be coming to Arizona for the next "Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp.";sorted through tons of old paperwork including old press kits from 15-20 years ago; sorted through (my wife did most of the sorting) old paperwork from our old "brick and mortar" store and training center we had back in 1993/94; I will have to blog on daughter #4's reaction to the idea that her parents had a center with a bookstore, "Wow...were you rich?" "No, we weren't"; worked on new registration forms for more of this month's free telecourses; sent out a storyteller.net update which I realized I have not done in some time; picked up my van from the repair shop and exchanged a huge pile of money for the keys...sigh; went shopping for frozen pizza and treats for family dinner; watched "Joan of Arcadia" on TV; listened to two conference calls on book marketing and unique speaking niches...fascinating
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

07.07.08 Monday: Picking and Chosing.

Picture of: pile of letters on my desk, waiting to go out tomorrow.

Today I:Over the last few days I: Laid low for the holidays and worked out what to keep and what to throw away; updated my mailing database with another handful of new clients and interested parties; worked through some registration issues for the OISBC Marketing event; produced a mailing for a super deal on camp registration- I can't tell you HOW DEEPLY I FEEL THE NEED FOR YOU TO JOIN US AT THIS CAMP in August of you are trying to build your business- a hard economy makes it a GREAT time for marketing opportunities; had dinner with a kid who used to be in one of my youth groups a long time ago, he's not such a kid now; edited audio files for release; added more lessons to the free Ecourse I am running (join); rewrote the scripts for the next free TeleConferences (join them too); prepped show order for school show tomorrow; sorry for missing days with you, some days there is only so much energy left in my fms-filled days; spoke on the phone to a storyteller in a nearby state about the state of storytelling in our states.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

07.01.2008 Tuesday: Hey, We're 1/2 Way Through 2008.

Picture of: school kids gathering for my summer school storytelling show today.

Today I: updated and recreated my Google Adwords promotions; prepped equipment for storytelling school show; drove my eldest to work; drove to and set up for school show; performed one-hour storyteller show for kids; packed it up and drove back towards my side of the city across 116F/45C temps; met with my hotel contact for the August "Outside In Storytelling Boot Camp" to talk about final meeting room spaces. You really want to come to this camp in August. Sell something you own to raise funds if you must, but come. Small intimate group. Come join us; did some postings online with some author who I think needs therapy not a publisher; read some powerful marketing advice from the guy who wears the question mark suits on television;

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

06.30.2008 Monday: Posted New Things!

Picture of: the first draft of the new Etips list I am putting together. GTD folks will recognize the ubiquitous capture mechanism, don'cha?

Today I: was in need a sit and hold still day; worked on the new and next nine free Telecourses from Storyteller.net; designed and posted the autoresponders for several of the Telecourses- you can register now!; posted and created the new and also free Storytelling Tips Email newsletter- you can also register for that now; worked on the menus for the August Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp; registered another person for the same boot camp- this camp is going to be nearly one on one, come now 'cuz it wont be like this again; posted the "Storytelling 101" training kit; done for the day;
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

06.27.2008 Friday: Keynotes, Workshops, Sales

Picture of: order forms from my vendor table at the youth rally I worked today.

Today I: provided the keynote presentation today at the Diocese of Beaumont Youth Rally held in Houston Texas- lots of stories in 45 minutes; presented a quick Storytelling 101 workshop for the adults leaders; sold many tools, tapes and books from my vendor table after the workshop; packed up my hotel room to check out; got downstairs and realized I had forgotten things in the hotel room so had to run back up there; high-school-aged kid on the elevator told me I had to go to his church so he could hear the story of the seagull again; got a ride back to the airport with my new friend Linda; was early at the airport so I ate my lunch at Chili's and then killed time until the flight boarded; got upgraded to first class as we were boarding the plane- now that was a good surprise; flew two turbulent hours to Phoenix; got picked up by my lovely family- daughter #4 did not run to greet me as I think she was afraid she would spill her $tarbuck$, lol; got home and tallied up my sales- sales of the resources were up 300% per ticket by making one change to my presentation- something you will learn at the Outside In Marketing Camp this August. This isn't about taking money from participants. The people who purchased got great, useful tools and I was compensated for my work- that is what marketing is about- win/win; crashing now

::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

06.18.2008 Wednesday: Coaching

Picture of: the box from whence the black gold of tea leaves comes. 115f (45ish Celsius) today in the desert southwest- we are melting.

Today I: bought ice and other groceries; post offiiced; talked to a client about coming to our next "Outside In Storytelling Marketing Workshop"- she is; talked to another new client who will also be joining us at the OISBC in August; sent Emails to focused lists from the Storyteller.net site (listen); updated and added a new story to the Storyteller.net site; looked at my goals list from last week- must keep moving forward.
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala (www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

06.17.2008 Tuesday: Posted

Picture of: why I don't want to leave the house.

Today I: negotiated hotel costs for the upcoming Philly event; finished the website and the flyer for the September "Storyteller.net Live!" event coming soon to Philadelphia, PA; posted the pre-release deal for the "Outside In" Marketing Camp Audio kit; did the bank and post office run; shopped for groceries; weeded through some audio for a new corporate storytelling project I am doing; posted a new blog;
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

06.11.2008 Wednesday: Goals

Picture of: my bags at the Philadelphia airport as I wait for the hotel shuttle to whisk me away.

Today I: ate breakfast in my hotel room, it's cheaper (surprise) and easier than the breakfast lounge; wandered back down to the business center to print the joint-venture proposal that I had written the night before; took a cab over to the meeting space as I had to drag all these bags to the meeting- I think the cab driver was mad that the trip was so short- poor guy; attending the marketing meeting where we worked all day with a former producer for the world's largest afternoon talk show (you know which one I mean) to work on pitch(proposal) letters for various media groups; the speaker focused on the same thing that we focus on in our storytellers' marketing camp: NICHE. You really need to come to our camp in August; great lunch and conversation with other folks at this last day of the first phase of this program; shared a shuttle back to the airport with 10 or so other participants; took the hotel shuttle to this hotel I am in now- they have a well trained, customer service oriented front desk staff; ate dinner at the restaurant on the grounds; caught up on Email and site updates; realized my guild has different goals than what I thought it did; rewrote some "immediate goals" for all three areas of my own "Outside In" strategy in the areas of business, artistry and technical skill; that I need to kick off this week; online check in for my flight tomorrow- no upgrades available- cry cry; calling it an early night
::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::

06.09.2008 Monday: It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

Picture of: the main meeting room for the "summit" meeting I am at (attending) this week for marketing/coaching/networking in Philadelphia.

Today I: found a 20 minute wait for the breakfast buffet at the hotel so I went back to my room, ordered room service and got the meal in 30 minutes and cheaper than had I paid for the buffet; used that 30 minutes to review notes and the map for the event; walked over to the meeting space a few blocks away- directly across from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall; used storytelling to introduce myself as as storyteller (what we teach in the OISBC!); had many productive, networking conversations within a roomful of motivated, productive, energized people (because of the technique mentioned in the previous line); noted that the main speaker understands how to use storytelling but needs work on technique- at least he is consistently using storytelling to cement in his points; dinner in the hotel (great hotel- not enough meal service space or staff); caught up on email; deleted website spam; talked to my wife on the phone; reviewed notes from the day; heat wave in Philly today. In Arizona, we call this weather "July." And, no, it's not a dry heat; wishing I could sit down with every storyteller I have contact with and personally tell you how much I want you at the next "Outside In Storytelling Marketing Boot Camp" and just how powerful an experience it would be for you. Truly. Honestly. With Great Passion.; goodnight.




::C2008. Picture blog for storyteller Sean Buvala ( www.seantells.com). My written blog is at www.seanblogs.com::