Storytelling in a Small Town

Should you start a podcast for your small business or organization, or is it going to become one more project that never gets off the ground? In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent and AJ share a practical, no-fluff guide to starting a podcast the right way by focusing on what matters most before you record your first episode.They break down the question they hear all the time: "Should I do a podcast?" and explain why the answer depends on your podcast goals, marketing, branding, community connection, thought leadership, or building trust with future customers. You'll also hear how podcasting can go far beyond the standard interview format, and how choosing the right style and tone helps your show stand out (especially if you're creating a local podcast).Trent and AJ also cover the real-world planning that helps creators stay consistent: whether you have the time or budget to produce quality, how to choose a release schedule, why recording multiple episodes ahead prevents burnout, and how to promote your podcast so people actually find it on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If you're researching how to start a podcast, how to market a podcast, or how to use podcasting to grow a business, this episode will help you build a strong foundation, and make your show worth pressing play on.Awards:Top 10 Podcast to Improve your Storytelling

In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent, Brian, and AJ tackle the part of content creation most small businesses skip: what to do after you hit record.They break down simple DIY editing moves that instantly make your videos feel more professional (without turning you into a full-time editor). You’ll hear practical advice on trimming dead space, avoiding the “millennial pause,” getting better feedback, and deciding when to polish vs. when to just post and learn.They also dig into how music, pacing, captions, and color subtly shape emotion—and why you don’t need to master all of it to start making better content.What You’ll Learn / Big MomentsThe #1 DIY edit everyone should do: Trim the beginning and end so viewers don’t watch you hit record, adjust gear, or fumbleThe “millennial pause” explained: Why millennials tend to hit record… pause… then start talking—and why Gen Z doesn’tTech habits shape content habits: Older tech trained people to “wait for it to catch up,” and it still shows up in our videosOld film rules vs. social rules: Why starting on a black frame (film school) can hurt performance on social mediaSleep on your edit (when it matters): Coming back with fresh eyes helps you catch awkward cuts, framing issues, and timingGet feedback the smart way:Use a small group of trusted “early testers”Ask for the type of feedback you want (sniff test vs. nitpicky final)When to just post it: For short shelf-life social content, audience feedback can be your best teacherAlgorithm reality check: If no one sees it, you won’t get useful feedback—pair content with platform best practicesEditing choices that affect emotion:Music sets tone and pace immediatelyPacing controls how fast information hits the viewerColor temperature and filters can make content feel warm, safe, clinical, or dramaticCaptions are basically mandatory now: Auto-captions are easy—just quick-check spelling (or don’t, if you want “comment bait”)The bigger takeaway: Don’t overthink it—have fun, trust your instincts, and keep experimentingAwards:Top 10 Podcast to Improve your Storytelling

In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent, Brian, and AJ explore why your customers, employees, and partners might be your most powerful storytellers. They share real examples and practical strategies for leveraging authentic customer experiences, employee advocacy, and even supplier shoutouts to boost your business’s credibility and reach. From creative testimonial ideas to tips for getting people comfortable on camera, this episode will help you harness the voices around you to build trust and grow your brand.What You'll Learn Why customer stories matter: How genuine customer experiences create trust and emotional connectionThe limits of self-promotion: Why others’ words carry more weight than your ownCreative testimonial strategies: Ways to feature customer, employee, and even supplier stories—beyond basic reviewsEmployee and partner advocacy: How staff and partners can be advocates for your brand, and why it’s powerfulRespectful storytelling: The right (and wrong) ways to ask people to share their story, with real-world do’s and don’tsMaking camera-shy people comfortable: Building rapport and using behind-the-scenes footage to get authentic testimonialsRepurposing reviews: Turning written reviews into engaging video or audio contentTech tips for DIY testimonials: Simple audio/video recording tricks for better quality on phonesRespecting your storytellers: Why employee testimonials should be voluntary, on-the-clock, and never forcedFinal takeaway: Letting others tell your story can take your brand to new heights—if you do it with care and authenticityAwards:Top 10 Podcast to Improve your Storytelling

Think you need a $15,000 budget to tell your business story effectively? Think again.In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent, Brian, and AJ break down why authentic storytelling will always trump production budget—and how small business owners can create compelling content with little to no money.What you'll learn:When to invest big vs. go DIY: Understanding which business moments deserve a Netflix-level production (spoiler: not many) and when your smartphone is all you needThe $15,000 lesson: Why a beautifully cinematic video can still fail if it doesn't tell the right storyZero-budget strategies that work: From candid team moments to heartfelt owner interviews—practical ways to create content that connectsFinding your "why": How asking the right questions can unlock the most powerful stories hiding in your businessThe spokesperson dilemma: Why the face of your company matters more than you think (and it's not just about being pretty)Authenticity over perfection: Why a genuine selfie with a thoughtful caption often outperforms polished ad campaignsBonus: The hosts role-play a real client discovery conversation, showing you exactly how to uncover the stories worth telling in your own business.Whether you're a solopreneur with zero marketing budget or a small business owner wondering if video is worth the investment, this episode proves that your story—not your budget—is what will make customers choose you.Bottom line: It may not cost a dime, but it does deserve your time.Awards:Top 10 Podcast to Improve your Storytelling

After a six-month hiatus, the Storytelling in a Small Town crew is back and better than ever! Trent, Brian, and AJ reunite to catch up on their incredibly busy summers and share exciting updates about their businesses and creative projects.In this episode, you'll hear about:AJ's transformative trip to Mexico and his nonprofit's massive $75,000 grant win (talk about a 10X scaling event!)Brian's wedding videography marathon—15 weddings in one summer!Trent's launch of the Snohomish Podcast Network, bringing local podcasters together with resources, events, and communityThe new Snohomish Podcast Playground concept: a space for aspiring podcasters to test their ideas before fully committingWhy having backup support as a solo business owner isn't optional—it's essentialPlus, a teaser for what's coming this season: The hosts are diving deep into AI, the evolution of storytelling in the social media age, and why being authentically human is more important than ever in a world drowning in "AI slop."Whether you're a fellow creative, small business owner, or just love hearing about the behind-the-scenes journey of building something meaningful in your community, this episode is your warm welcome back to the conversation.Recorded on International Podcasting Day—because of course it was!Awards:Top 10 Podcast to Improve your Storytelling

In this episode, we dive deep into the pros and cons of hiring a full-time video content creator for your business. While having an in-house video producer may seem like an attractive option, we explore why outsourcing video content might actually be the smarter move.We break down the benefits of working with specialized freelance creators and agencies who bring expertise, creativity, and flexibility to the table. At the same time, we discuss the increasing value of having a full-time marketing strategist on your team to drive the bigger picture — aligning your video content with your overall brand strategy, managing campaigns, and optimizing ROI.If you're on the fence about whether to hire a full-time video maker or outsource, this episode will give you the insights you need to make a decision that helps your business grow and thrive. Tune in to find out why sometimes, the best investment is not just in more content, but in a strategy that brings it all together.Awards:Top 10 Podcast to Improve your Storytelling

Antonia Semanskee, from Crush Your Social, asks her pressing video questions about how to get started in video and why it is important to AJ, Brian, and Trent. From boosting engagement to driving conversions, video has become one of the most effective tools in a marketer’s arsenal. But what makes a video stand out from the crowd? We’ll explore the tangible benefits of high-quality video content, including increased trust, better SEO, and higher retention rates.Plus, if you’re not a video expert, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! Tune in as we share easy, actionable tips to enhance the quality of your videos, even with limited resources. Whether you’re shooting on a smartphone or working with a full production team, you’ll leave this episode with practical advice to make your videos more professional, engaging, and impactful.Don’t miss this episode if you want to Crush Your Social and create videos that truly connect with your audience!Awards:Top 10 Podcast to Improve your Storytelling

Pre-production, or the steps that you take before the first day of filming, is a critical step to creating videos with impact. Join the conversation on what all is considered during pre-production. What all did we miss?Awards:Top 10 Podcast to Improve your Storytelling

Brian, Trent, and AJ tackle telling holiday stories, with each member taking time to write and record their own story. Enjoy the stories to get into the holiday spirit. Trent shares his take on what is really the heart of the holidays looks like in Snohomish. Brian - Evergreen Express

What makes the holidays so "magical" and how do you capture it? Why do Hallmark movies make us feel so much during the holiday season? These are the questions that Trent, Brian, and AJ attempt to answer as they breakdown holiday "magic" and tips and tricks to capture your own holiday magic.

Trent, AJ, and Brian highlight the power of storytelling in business. Whether it is a small business, or corporation, storytelling plays an important role in building a community for longevity. Here how storytelling is important especially in video format for business, and how it changes overtime.References for data on power of storytelling:https://executive.berkeley.edu/thought-leadership/blog/storytelling-businesshttps://www.forbes.com/councils/theyec/2023/06/08/the-power-of-storytelling-for-your-business-unleashing-your-inner-storyteller/https://www.forbes.com/sites/celinnedacosta/2017/12/19/why-every-business-needs-powerful-storytelling-to-grow/Power of Video References:https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/video-marketinghttps://www.wyzowl.com/video-marketing-statistics/

Learn about the history of how Brian, AJ, and Trent got started in the field of storytelling and how it lead them to a small Pacific Northwest town. Learn how communicating through storytelling is important in any organization and how it lead to us being full time storytellers.