As an exercise try this. Your favourite client mentions in an e-mail that his deaf Jesus-freak carpenter buddy needs business cards that say ‘Finish Carpenter’ with his name, email address and contact details. Could I write something that counts? This is the narrative I sent.
I am deaf and so I speak through my work, using my hands to fashion silent statements in every piece they dwell. Decks, stairs, chairs and tables, I love wood. Soft on the touch, yet harder than words, wood deserves respect and attention. It is, after all, much older than we are. With love I can re-purpose this fully-realised natural wonder, and through skill, personal will and imagination, create a new life intended for a hundred years beyond my own. And yours: to the glory of God, the creator of all things.
I’ve developed marketing strategies and communications for deaf carpenters, companies and for other advertising agencies, through my KNIGHTSHIFT Communications business and before that, The Engine Room.
Long-code narrative is always a fascinating challenge. I have been fortunate enough to curate and author three books for companies, and one for myself. I’ve learned a lot along the way.
With long-code narrative people tend to read the parts that interest them. The secret is to get them to read the bits they otherwise wouldn’t and the way to accomplish this is story. A well told story or series of stories with the right tone-of-voice and crafted narratives provide the reader due reward. Design and production values play key roles and I have worked in most instances with designers and production specialists.
