BE LIKE NINA SIMONE AND ASK… DO I MOVE YOU?
Think of all the moments that happen inside a home or a hotel or an amenity space — or even the sidewalk outside a front door. All the emotions expressed: amusement, passion, wonder, pleasure, peace, pride, love, and on and on.
Places are keepers of stories and feelings.
“Thoughtfully designed.” “Rooted in community.” “Timeless elegance.” “Modern living.” These headlines play like a broken record in real estate marketing, from luxury condos to suburban townhomes, blurring one development into the next, failing to mean anything or make a real connection. It’s similar in hotel marketing, too.
When you build a project on a foundation of creative storytelling, and express the emotions you want people to feel, your place becomes magnetic, and stands out as its own character in a crowd of grey and beige silhouettes. You’re selling or renting a feeling, not a product. So, move people.
I partner with developers to strategize immersive worlds through meaningful storytelling and words.
UNFORGETTABLE BRAND WORLDS ARE STRATEGIC
Much goes into building an impactful brand world. And it begins with structuring a strategy before designing a thing. Leaping into logos, colours, and typography before you know what the story is and how it’s best told will weaken a brand’s effectiveness.
With a book or a film, you figure out the story and map out the world before designing cover art or going into production. Brands are no different. Story first, visuals later.
STORYTELLING SERVICES FOR REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS
WORLD CREATION
Pick this route if you haven’t yet started architecture or interior design for your project.
Developers who want a cohesive story to carry through their entire project — from architecture to interiors to brand creative. This brings more meaning to their project and creates a deeper, more alluring experience for their target markets.
A storied, strategic foundation for all facets of your development.
The above Story Book becomes a brief or guide for your architects, interior designers, and other worldbuilders to follow.
It’s too early to touch voice or create a messaging framework here… those come later.
STORY STRATEGY
Pick this path if you’re ready to begin branding and marketing, and haven’t yet engaged with a design firm.
Developers ready to begin the branding and marketing phase of their project — those who want to use storytelling to defy the status quo and create a splash.
A storied strategy for shaping your brand and bringing its stories to life.
The Story Book here becomes a brief or guide for your design firm, creative agency, marketers, sales team, publicists, or social media managers.
If you’ve already engaged in World Creation with me, much of the above will be checked off. As some time may have passed, we’ll review the original strategy before completing the verbal identity.
BRAND WRITING
Pick this one if we’ve already completed a strategy together, and you’re now engaged with a design firm.
Developers who have already completed the strategy phase and are ready to build out their project’s touchpoints with creative, persuasive writing.
Storied, emotive writing based on your project’s strategic needs.
BRAND EVALUATION
Pick this one if your project is already in market and needs a storytelling nudge.
Developers whose project has hit a wall.
Initial guidance on what’s working or not working, and how you could better connect and captivate.
This is an advisory service and doesn’t include strategy or writing.
Contact me for pricing.
CREATING A WORLD OF STORIES, EMOTIONS, AND CREATIVITY WILL TURN UP YOUR VOLUME WITHOUT BUSTING EARS.
A HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE
It used to take, on average, seven touchpoints with a brand before a consumer made a purchase. These days, that number is higher — much higher, by some reports.
When strategizing a project’s world, I think of how the story translates at every touchpoint to create a compelling, distinctive journey for your consumers.
Adjacent image: strategy & writing for Anthem Properties’ Ethos in Metrotown
A STORIED CRAFT
Research shows that most businesses undervalue creativity and storytelling. What they perceive as risky actually drives lasting ROI. Playing it safe (and bland) is the bigger risk.
I’m a big believer in the power of creativity, and I bring my experience in film, literature, and journalism into project branding to entertain, persuade, and get under the skin.
Adjacent image: story strategy & writing for Peterson Group’s Mirvish Village in Toronto.
Browse through my brand portfolio.
MOVE PEOPLE INTO ACTION WITH MEANINGFUL STORYTELLING
If you prefer to maintain the status quo or blend in with everyone else, I’m not for you. If you believe that creative, emotive, and distinctive storytelling will imprint you in people’s minds, coax them into a purchase, and push up your ROI, then I’d love to talk.
To book end this with Nina Simone: are you hip to what I’m sayin’?