BE LIKE NINA SIMONE AND ASK YOURSELF… 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. Tender exchanges, happenstance, curious sights, growth spurts, epiphanies… just to name a few.
And then all the emotions expressed: amusement, passion, loss, wonder, pleasure, sadness, peace, pride, love, fear, and on and on.
Places are keepers of stories and feelings.
That’s why people remember them.
And why they’re drawn to live, rent, work, visit, or linger there.
So… let’s move some people with meaningful storytelling full of feeling.
I’LL HELP YOU CREATE A MAGNETIC PLACE
An impactful world is built from a strategy that considers many factors. This strategy feeds everything, from architecture to interior design to brand creative to marketing to property experience.
My work with real estate developers and other placemakers begins with strategizing the story — either before the place is designed or before its brand is. This becomes your Story Book (aka your vision or concept).
STORYTELLING SERVICES FOR REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS & PLACEMAKERS
Residential, mixed-use, village, hotel, and restaurant properties.
WORLD CREATION
Pick this route if you haven’t yet started architecture or interior design for your project.
Developers who want a cohesive story/vision to carry through their entire project — from architecture to interiors to brand creative. This brings more meaning to their project and creates a deeper 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 develop brand assets, such as verbal identity, here… those come later.
STORY STRATEGY
Pick this path if you’re ready to begin brand development, and haven’t started visual branding.
Developers who want to use storytelling to defy the status quo (“Timeless Elegance.” “Rooted in Community.”) and create a brand that feels refreshingly different, intriguing, even, in a crowd of beige and grey silhouettes.
A storied strategy for brand creative to bloom from.
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.
CREATIVE TACTICS & WRITING
Pick this one if you’re ready to execute a brand/story strategy, or if you’re already in market and continuing to tell stories.
Developers who know that a brand’s words are just as important as its visuals, and are keen to use creative, emotive stories and writing to touch their audiences. I work alongside your design team to ensure the collective creative is as strong as it can be.
Stories, campaigns, and writing based on your project’s strategic needs.
BRAND
EVALUATION
Pick this road if your project’s marketing hasn’t been performing, and you need another set of eyes.
Developers with a project in market that isn’t connecting with its audiences. This is a review of a current brand and advice on how to proceed, with a focus on the project’s storytelling and ability to connect.
Initial guidance on what works or doesn’t work, and how you could better connect and captivate.
This is an advisory service and doesn’t include strategy or writing.
TESTIMONIAL
“Working with Sandra has been an absolute dream. Sandra has a way of just getting IT. She has a unique genius for extracting the essence of your ideas and synthesizing them into words, imagery, and a cohesive vision that expresses the feeling you are trying to achieve. That is easy to say and really fucking hard to do.”
— Jordan MacDonald, Founder & CEO, fabric
DATA SHOWS THAT BRAND WORLDS MADE OF STORIES, EMOTIONS, AND CREATIVITY DRIVE HIGHER SHORT-TERM AND LASTING ROI.*
*Read this report by System1 on how brand creativity and emotions multiply profit.
A STORIED CRAFT
Businesses undervalue creativity and storytelling. They perceive it as risky. But, in actuality, playing it safe (and bland) is the bigger risk and comes at a higher cost.
I’m a big believer in the power of creativity, and I bring my experience in screenwriting, literature, and journalism into project branding to entertain, persuade, and get under the skin.
Adjacent image: strategy & writing for Anthem Properties’ Ethos in Metrotown.
TESTIMONIAL
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Sandra and Studio Telltale on a variety of projects over the years, each with its own unique audience, objectives, and brand voice. What sets Sandra apart is her strategic approach to copywriting. She doesn’t just write compelling words—she takes the time to understand the goals behind the project, the audience we’re trying to reach, and the message we want to communicate. Throughout every project, she has been a true creative partner, consistently going above and beyond with thoughtful recommendations, valuable feedback, and active collaboration from start to finish. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a strategic, talented, and highly engaged copywriting partner.”
— Kayleigh Johnson, Senior Director of Marketing, Peterson
A HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE
It used to take, on average, seven contacts with a brand before a consumer made a purchase. These days, that number is higher — much higher, by some reports.
Hiring someone to write copy for your brochure, reusing that copy everywhere, and calling it a day likely won’t cut it. To be compelling to your audiences, look at every touchpoint as an experience, a story that unfolds.
When strategizing a project’s world, I consider it as a whole to create a curious, distinctive journey for consumers.
Adjacent image: story strategy & writing for Peterson’s Mirvish Village in Toronto.
PUTTING HEADS TOGETHER
Developers I’ve created with, either directly or via a creative agency…
ANTHEM
ARAGON
ASPAC
BEEDIE
BOFFO
BOSA
BRITISH PROPERTIES
CAPE GROUP
CENTURY GROUP
CONCERT
CRESSEY
DISCOVERY LAND CO.
FABRIC
FORMWERKS
GREYSTAR
INTERGULF
INTRACORP
ONNI
PETERSON
POLYGON
TOWNLINE
TRILLIUM
WESGROUP
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 meaningful storytelling will imprint you in people’s minds and coax them into action, then I’d love to talk.
To bookend this with Nina Simone: are you hip to what I’m sayin’?