I swear I named this blog before I saw this article

Let Me Tell You a Story by Carmine Gallo in BusinessWeek. (Via Smartbrief)

Great article. It's exactly what I was thinking when I started this blog. Marketing is storytelling.

But stories aren't a panacea and they certainly aren't a quick win. I think the best part of the article was the end ...

More often than not, a story doesn't make the sale. Stories open the door, making a prospect more receptive to the message. ... If you want to connect with your audience, inspire them, and motivate them to action, start telling stories.

Exactly! Stories are part of a comprehensive marketing plan that must also include lead gen, retention strategies, sales support and more. But stories are a great starting point.