Insights — dansalva

Helping vs. selling

'Helping' is always more powerful than 'selling'.

Content MarketingDan SalvaFebruary 17, 2014content marketing

Answer this question and you’ll be developing valuable content. More importantly, you’ll be making it easy for your customers to do business with you.

Content MarketingDan SalvaFebruary 11, 2014brand storytelling, content marketing

Want to create a better experience? Ask this one question.

It doesn’t matter whether you are creating an app, a story, or any other experience. In order to make it as meaningful as possible, you need to ask this question about each element along the way

User ExperienceDan SalvaFebruary 4, 2014brand storytelling, user experience

6 tips for better storytelling user experience

User experience is a concept that can ensure that the form of your storytelling is as engaging as your words. With that in mind, here are 6 tips to improve the experience around your story.

User ExperienceDan SalvaJanuary 28, 2014brand storytelling, user experience

It’s not your fault -or- how bad UX makes you feel bad

Yes, you should be clear in your storytelling. But you should also be thinking about how the story is presented. If your piece is a long, gray mass of type, you’re not making it inviting for anyone to engage with you.

User ExperienceDan SalvaJanuary 21, 2014brand storytelling, user experience

Snackable content. Yum.

"Snackable" means content that is easily consumed at a glance. It's visualization that tells a story while respecting the time that people have to spend with your offering.

Brand storytellingDan SalvaJanuary 13, 2014brand storytelling, data visualization

The Vulcan argument and how to counter it

If you put yourself in the Vulcan's mindset, you can find a way to win over these tough clients. And you'll find yourself doing more than creating great work – you'll be creating great work with depth and meaning.

Brand storytellingDan SalvaJanuary 7, 2014brand storytelling, creative

The most important trait of a brand storyteller

Empathy enables you to put yourself in the other person's shoes. That can bring all kinds of benefits. Here are 3 advantages for brand storytellers.

Brand storytellingDan SalvaDecember 31, 2013brand storytelling, Empathy

5 forward-looking posts to improve how you connect with an audience

With the year coming to a close, it's natural to see a lot of good posts that will help you plan your efforts for the new year. I have pulled out 5 that impressed me.

Content Marketing, User ExperienceDan SalvaDecember 24, 2013Strategic marketing, user experience

A free audience definition worksheet

I find myself going back to this exercise because of its ability to clarify my thinking and focus my efforts

Brand storytellingDan SalvaDecember 17, 2013Audience Definition, brand storytelling

What kind of specialist are you?

It's easy to think that specializing limits the opportunities you'll have. But the opposite is actually true.

Strategic innovationDan SalvaDecember 10, 2013Brand expert, Brand specialist

Your most important digital asset: words.

It comes down to a simple rule of thumb: You can't design the experience before you define the experience.

User ExperienceDan SalvaDecember 3, 2013strategy, user experience

4 must-read articles on mobile user experience

Here are four articles posted recently that help ensure you're doing everything you can to make the mobile experience as powerful as it can be.

User ExperienceDan SalvaNovember 26, 2013Mobile, user experience

My two cents on visualization

You know the cliche. "A picture is worth a thousand words." There"s a reason it's a cliche. Because there is a truth there.

Brand storytellingDan SalvaNovember 18, 2013infographic, visualization

Infographic overload or how I invented the inphonigraphic

To strengthen your infographic, keep it snackable, stick to one idea, and use reliable sources

Strategic innovationDan SalvaNovember 12, 2013content marketing, infographic, Strategic innovation

Your audience wants 2 things from you

During complex projects, I find that focusing on these fundamentals can improve the storytelling. It's as simple as asking 2 questions. Am I bringing clarity? Am I finding meaning for my audience?

Brand storytellingDan SalvaNovember 4, 2013brand storytelling