Nymblesmith

08/20/2024

New episode of The Story Forge Podcast just dropped. Just a solo, hot-type edition today. Give it a listen here >>>

Movies matter. Especially in America. Especially to me. Especially this one that has taught me so much about the way people think and want to think and need to think. And inspired a cornerstone piece of what I do for other people for a living.
https://www.nymblesmith.com/episodes/voicing-a-sport-alex-cuesta-amp-dave-hyatt-g6zfg

Movies matter. Especially in America. Especially to me. Especially this one that has taught me so much about the way people think and want to think and need to think.

08/20/2024

Why we call it "The Sheet"

I believe movies matter.

In a way you can't quite describe sometimes.

They are not just entertainment. They are a part of our humanity in a way we often can't quite describe.

Movies really matter in America. Movies, in a lot of ways MADE America.

Or at least made the perception of America and Americans around the world.

And we all have favorites. For different reasons.

I learn things every time I watch it.

Things I use every day.

Things about the way people think and want to think and need to think.

And how to be prepared.

And that's where The Sheet gets its name.

And its power.

And why movies are important.

Why we all should have one. A favorite.

Read about mine here >>>

There's a scene that I always remember. Kid Twist ducks into Duke Budreau's bar to recruit the best long-con men he can find in Chicago. Duke calls out "Lacey! Bring me the sheet.” It's the sheet listing all the best men in town looking to get in on a con. All the resources by name and reputati

08/15/2024

You have a story to tell.

I know you do.

Do your followers love yours?

Do you have one that they can understand right away?

And repeat to other people?

Because that's the real power of story.

Unleash a compelling, engaging story on the world that people love to repeat over and over and over again.

Because those 55% of consumers who love your story will tell other people if you teach them how.

Wouldn't it make your business better if you had a single source... one tool with all the words you needed every time you had to write something, or present something, or answer a question about your business?

08/09/2024

Lovely words from renowned futurist Faith Popcorn Faith Popcorn's BrainReserve.

“Brilliant new book by that will make you re-think communication. My friend, Lyle, explores how to make things you care about matter to others.”
— Faith Popcorn, Futurist

So grateful for the attention.

If you've already picked up a copy, please consider writing a review for Why Yellow Matters. If you haven't, please consider picking up your own copy today!
whyyellowmatters.com

07/19/2024

NEW EPISODE OF THE STORY FORGE:
How do you find the things you love to listen to?

A friend tunes you into them.

That's how I found Talking in Ovals. An old friend from my earliest running days mentioned it to me.

So I listened.

And I saw that Alexander Cuesta and Dave Hyatt were dedicated to something bigger than themselves.

And I liked it.

And think they're doing something important for a sport that needs that passion shared into the community.

And I invited them on to talk about what they do and why. And I think we tapped into some of the things that they do that matter to passionate track fans like them.

And you can listen to it here >>>
https://www.nymblesmith.com/episodes/voicing-a-sport-alex-cuesta-amp-dave-hyatt

Alex Cuesta and Dave Hyatt are first and foremost, fans. They’ve been athletes themselves. And coaches. They’re teachers and friends. But maybe more than anything, they’re fans. They love track & field and cross country. And that is what inspired them to start the Running in Ovals podcast ...

07/16/2024

Every organization requires a story to match.

Not just a story that's clear and repeatable.

That's easy to remember and communicates your value immediately.

But a story that maps to however your organization has changed over the past year...
.. six months...
.. quarter...

Has your offering changed?

Is your service different?

Strategy shifted?

New staff?

Discovered a new way of talking about something that works really, really well?

Spend the time.

Review how you're talking about things.

Make sure it maps to what you're delivering. And how you're delivering it.

Get help. Another set of eyes. Ears. From the outside.

And get your story straight.

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

I believe every organization should spend time regularly working on their story. That is, their messaging platform. Because things change. So to think the story you tell your customers about why you're valuable to them never shifts, ever, is of limited vision.

07/05/2024

People are talking about us. See Nymblesmith in the news!

In the news We’re getting INK!ARTIST WEEKLYExploring ‘Why Yellow Matters’: A Manifesto of CreativityCEO WeeklyWhy Yellow Matters: Lyle Smith’s Guide to Almost Everything On the Pods!TALK FREELANCE TO ME - Ashley Cisneros MejiaEpisode 27: Question Everything – Lessons in Understanding Audie...

07/03/2024

"Jefferson lives!"
Because all sorts of stories matter all the time here are three and a half stories you may have mis-remembered about our nation's birthday.

1 - July 4th is only, kinda, the actual birthday. Congress voted for independence on July 2nd. The written declaration was adopted on July 4th. Most delegates signed the document on August 2nd.

2 - The Liberty Bell and its famous crack have little to do with Independence Day. It cracked when it was cast 20 years earlier and it was named by 19th century abolitionists, not 18th century patriots. It is still on display in a Philadelphia park outside Independence Hall, known as the Pennsylvania State House until General Lafayette made a speech at the building in 1824 calling it the "Hall of Independence."

3 - John Adams (90) and Thomas Jefferson (83) both died on July 4th, 1826. Adams' last words were "Jefferson lives!"

3.5 - I take time every year on the morning of July 4th to re-read the Declaration of Independence to myself. About 1,300 of the most beautifully chosen words you'll ever spend time with.

Have a very happy Independence Day!

06/28/2024

Book Your FREE Crossed-Wires Consultation

I had a client today tell me they couldn’t afford bringing in “someone from the outside” to work on their story because they didn’t know how the organization worked. “Only internal people understand what we do,” he said.

If you already see what’s wrong with that thinking, just book a :30 min call with us here and now. No charge. We’ll talk you through how we work and what ways we think we can help your brand story.

If you don’t see what’s wrong with that thinking, honestly, you may never be our customer. But if you’d like a quick lesson on how we think about messaging and how we might be able to help you, book a :30 min call and we’ll do everything we can to help you.

If you’re not sure what we’re talking about, we can definitely help you. Book :30 min and we’ll explain everything.

We won’t judge. We’ll only help your story find it’s voice.
Give Us 30 Minutes - We’ll Help You Get Your Story Straight

Slide 1Slide 1 (current slide) Give Us 30 Minutes - We’ll Help You Get Your Story Straight Book Your FREE Crossed-Wires ConsultationI had a client today tell me they couldn’t afford bringing in “someone from the outside” to work on their story because they didn’t know how the organization ...

06/27/2024

Why Yellow Matters - featured in CEO Weekly this week!

Why Yellow Matters: Lyle Smith’s Guide to Almost Everything. In an age where digital noise drowns out meaningful conversation, Lyle Smith, the founder of...

06/25/2024

Top of the world.

My best client ever was not the one I thought it would be.

There are many ways to measure your best clients.

Some are easy to work with.

Some you enjoy getting to know on the phone or video call. Or in person.

Some are lucrative.

Some less-so.

Some are game to try something new.

It's hardly ever the one who makes you the most money.

It's always the one who's focused on something specific.

Never the one with the wandering eye who suffers debilitating shiny object syndrome.

For me, it's the client who genuinely, immediately "gets it."

They understand what their part of the assignment is and are totally bought-in to the exercise.

I worked with a CEO of a telecom company not too long ago.

I won't name him here, but he'll recognize himself if he reads this.

I was referred to him by a friend and former client.

We met over a video call.

I gave him the thumbnail of what I do and why it's important to the people I work with.

And he could see it right away.

He could see not only what he thought it could do for him, but why it was structured the way it was.

He could see how it would be helpful to other types of businesses.

And he wanted to jump in with both feet.

And what's more, when I met his team, they were completely bought-in too.

And it was one of the most enjoyable, productive, deepest story sessions I've ever done.

We went overtime. And I didn't care.

We did extra rounds of revision to get it right. And I didn't care.

Because we were doing EXACTLY what I designed.

EXACTLY the way it was envisioned to go.

So I had to play it out to see how it went.

And it was awesome.

And the team was awesome.

And they LOVED the process and were completely happy with The Sheet we produced for them.

And they started using it the way it was designed to be used.

And I wished them luck, saying I'd follow up with them to see how it was working for them.

And that they could come to me with questions if they had any.

And later, he came back.

Called me up and said, "We love The Sheet. My team is using it every day."

"And I loved the story session. Taking the time to dig in that deep into who our customers are and what we mean to them was incredibly valuable."

Then, he told me, there was something else.

Uh oh, I thought.

"It was this one thing," he said.

What was that, I wondered?

"This one line."

Which one line, I asked him?

Then he quoted one of the top lines we came up with. Recited it to me from memory. Then he said, "I've spent the past THREE YEARS trying to get to THAT line. And this was the only thing that worked."

And I smiled.

That was the biggest compliment I've ever received.

All this gratitude for one line. Eight words that he'll never forget.

And that is my best client ever.

Top of the world.

06/12/2024

Featured in Artists Weekly!

Exploring 'Why Yellow Matters': A Manifesto of Creativity. "Why Yellow Matters" is predicated on a fundamental premise that has guided...

06/12/2024

06/03/2024

Branding agencies can (sometimes) do some pretty remarkable stuff. But doesn't it always seem like something's missing? The "how-to" part? The "what's next" part? The "what makes it all work together" part?

There is a missing link. And this is it.

Wouldn't it make your business better if you had a single source... one tool with all the words you needed every time you had to write something, or present something, or answer a question about your business?

05/30/2024

This makes me so sad. I understand the evolution. I know I can get a better price on the guitar and overnight delivery. I know it's easy to stream almost any song on demand. I know I can get the bike parts I need for Sunday's ride tomorrow. I know that book from Amazon can be here by drone, well, now.

But on the other hand, I miss wandering through Jack's record store finding something I never would have been turned onto otherwise just because it was filed under F instead of T by mistake. I miss waiting outside for the store to open like I did the day VH 5150 came out in 1986. I miss hanging out in the back of the bike shop with Gardner, the mechanic, on Thursday nights when they were open late learning how to fix things. I miss picking a title off the Bookworm shelf because the sky blue spine caught my eye. And I miss asking Mike to take that ruby red Strat off the wall to let me hold that smooth, fast neck in my own hands. To plug it in and hear the tubes hum as they warm up. I miss asking him about the picture of him with his arm over Les Paul's shoulders hanging behind the register even though I've heard the story a hundred times. I'll miss Sam Ash. And not just because it's where I bought the '88 Takamine I still play today.

05/29/2024

Don't miss out on the power built into your brand's story.

Touch base today to see how to get the most out of it every, single day.
nymblesmith.com

05/22/2024

How to make writing easier

Give the hard part to someone else.

We've all felt it.

That feeling you get when you sit down in front of a blank page.

Or screen.

It's unsettling.

It's painful.

It's anxious.

You're not exactly sure where to start.

You have to think about what you want to say.

But you really shouldn't.

You SHOULD be thinking about who you're saying it to.

And what you want them to do.

THEN, you should start thinking about what you want to say from there.

But that takes a lot of time.

Too much time.

That you don't have to spare.

So what if you could just pull a sheet down off the wall - or out of a drawer - and pick out the thing that matters most?

Pick out the place to start.

Where you don't have to "write" anything.

It's already been written.

It's already been agreed to.

And you just start with something that already exists.

That your audience has already seen.

That has already convinced them of your value.

So you're not convincing them.

You're not persuading them.

You're just reminding them.

Of what it is that makes you important to them.

And then you have them off to the races.

And THAT's a good place to be.

That's THE SHEET.

And that's what you should be talking to us about.

Don't start from scratch.

Start from... "I remember that!"

05/14/2024

Is what you're saying good enough?

When it comes to writing, a discouraging number of people seem to think good enough is, well, good enough.

It's not.

I just spent a not-insignificant time reading through summaries of sessions for a big conference this week.

Trying to figure out which sessions I wanted to attend.

What are they about? Do they interest me? Will I meet anyone important to me there?

I found one with a title that grabbed my attention. "What a great topic!" I thought.

Then I tried to decipher the description.

Line after line, I found myself asking "what does this mean?"

Description after description, I found myself saying "egad! this is poorly written."

I WANTED to be excited about it.

I WANTED to dig in and find out more about it.

I WANTED to be inspired by the topic and the leader of the session.

But I couldn't.

I couldn't understand what the description was describing.

Despite trying very hard.

So I put that one to the side.

And looked for something else.

The session might end up being really great.

It might, in truth, be valuable.

But I couldn't do it.

Because I had no idea what it was about.

The write up was just "good enough."

And that wasn't enough to get me to go.

05/09/2024

Put your brand's superpower to work for you.

05/03/2024

Check out the latest episode of The Story Forge Podcast where we chat with Serial Entrepreneur, Dan Lievens, founder of ShareOne, about everything from the importance of authenticity and the power of video testimonials, to acupuncture, philosophy, and the threat/opportunity of living in an AI world. Give it a listen here >>
hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

Dan Lievens is a serial entrepreneur in the purest sense. Founder of 12 different businesses including ShareOne, Dan operates under a singular theme - that if each of us is somehow able to share one fundamental, transformative story of our lives, what a different world we might be able to live in!

04/29/2024

Great reviews keep coming in! I'm grateful for all of my readers and hope more of you will pick up your own copy to enjoy at whyyellowmatters.com

04/24/2024

Four years ago today, a track meet was canceled. But not just any track meet.

For the first time in its 126-year history, the University of Pennsylvania Relay Carnival, THE PENN RELAYS, the oldest track & field meeting in the United States was canceled.

Penn ran through two world wars. Ran through the 1918 influenza pandemic. Ran through all manner of weather and crises and twice was rescued by large donations from controversial figures like Bill Cosby and George Steinbrenner.

It took the Covid pandemic and a nationwide, worldwide lockdown to skip a year.

On Friday, April 24th, when he would otherwise be managing the organized chaos at Franklin Field that is the Penn Relays, longtime Meet Director, Dave Johnson, instead took a seat in his sunny back garden and talked to me about history, great performances, decision-making, and the future of what many of us see as the greatest meet in the sport.

Penn returns this week, as it does every year on the last weekend of April.

Give it another listen here >>>

We sat down with longtime Penn Relays Meet Director, Dave Johnson, on this Friday that should have been the 126th Friday running of the carnival. Unfortunately, due to the Covie-19 pandemic, the historic meet was cancelled for the first time in its long tenure as the biggest and best relay meet in t

04/22/2024

New copies arrived!

I’m told this is a good thing when you have to restock.

First batch - sold out.

It’s exciting to have people you don’t know buying your book.

It’s weird to have people quote you back to you.

But I think I can get used to both.

If you’ve purchased one, thank you! Please consider writing a review where you purchased it or at Good Reads.

If you haven’t yet, pick up your copy at Amazon, B&N, or directly.

Link in the comments >>>
and are appreciated!

04/05/2024

Ok, take two on the new episode. And this is a good one! Corrupted file fixed. Please enjoy!

This is a conversation I sat on for quite a while before deciding to post it. But in the end, I'm glad I spent some quality time with this conversation. I think it's too good not to share. Thank you Charles Huldal , Keeper of the Inn for being such a great friend of both me and my dad for so long.

I met Charley Huldal on my first trip to St. Andrews. With my dad. We played golf. We sipped whisky. And Charley and his wife, Ray, welcomed us home. And for that, we, I will be forever grateful.

04/05/2024

A new episode, but an older conversation. I held this one back for a while for kind of personal reasons, but listenting to it anew, I think everybody can benefit from a few of Charles Huldal's stories. He makes them matter.

I met Charley Huldal on my first trip to St. Andrews. With my dad. We played golf. We sipped whisky. And Charley and his wife, Ray, welcomed us home. And for that, we, I will be forever grateful.

04/04/2024

Hey! Look who’s in the local library. I mean, who doesn’t love the library?

03/29/2024

Always ask "why?" Pick up your copy of Why Yellow Matters today.
whyyellowmatters.com

03/27/2024

Great writing advice from Keef.

Keith Richards, legendary guitarist of The Rolling Stones 🤘

03/25/2024

My old friend, Brett Keirstead, invited me to spend some time chatting on his podcast recently. I had a great time talking with him and hope you enjoy listening to Salespeople are People, too.

My favorite line from his post... "Lyle is now the third person from my very own Bedwell School Kindergarten Class of 1973 (Bernardsville, NJ) to publish a book (shout out Peggy Doherty DeLong, Psy.D.)."

He even gave me a new name, which I think I like very much. Listen here >>

Lyle Smith - owner of the Marketing firm Nymblesmith and author of the new book Why Yellow Matters shares his personal story and journey in how he became associated with Brand Storytelling. Everywhere we go in life as salesperson, parent, spouse, business owner, candidate, or any other role we play,...