Ideas at Dawn AEC Marketing Consultants

Are you new to the AEC marketing industry and in need of some more training? Maybe you are a few years in and need to level up those skills! 
Or you can be a seasoned professional in need of a fresh perspective.
We've had all three different categories in this full-day comprehensive training for AEC proposal management.  

I will take you through : 
✅ Learn the secret for getting SMEs to respond so deadlines are not missed
✅ How to create compliant, concise, and owner-focused content so your proposal scores the most points 
✅ How to effortlessly streamline processes and procedures so the technical team doesn't dread being involved
✅ Learn the framework to onboard AEC professionals with industry-specific knowledge
✅ How to avoid the big missteps in thinking proposal development in the AEC industry is the same as in other industries
and much, MUCH more! 

and if that wasn't enough to convince you...
for the first time, I'll be walking you through how to leverage AI for proposal content. It won't do the proposal for you but it will make you more efficient. 

Save your spot now right here!   https://keap.app/checkout/ezz173/winning-aec-proposals

ATTEND: 6 Steps To A Successful Proposal

Have you ever felt like you're just not making enough time for your family? Or for your own self? 

I know I have.
Being part of the AEC marketing industry, it is an all too familiar scenario. 
We are dedicated professionals. We give it our all, literally. 

However, we also deserve time for (the other) things that matter. 

Watch this video as I discuss what I eventually came to call my "3 frogs" that have completely changed the game for me. 

Being home for dinner is now the norm.

WATCH: How YOU Can Achieve Your Main Goals for the Day! 

The more we know the more we grow. 

So why is it so hard to ask to have the opportunity to learn more in some corporate settings?
It shouldn't be but often anything of value comes with a price tag (no pun intended). 
Read how you can approach the situation more confidently.

READ: The Other Big Ask: Why Is It So Hard To Ask For More Knowledge?

Have you ever been so buried in pursuits that you thought to yourself, I wish we could hire some (temporary) help? Good news, such a thing exists. However, as busy marketers, we rarely plan for such an event. Listen as Angie discusses how to form a successful partnership with a proposal/marketing consultant. As a veteran in the architecture/engineering/construction (A/E/C) marketing industry, she has been on both sides of the fence and understands the partnership point-of-views intimately. Angie will discuss how being proactive could and should become an essential part of your business. Prepare now for the influx of work that never seems to stop but at times never foresee coming.

LISTEN: Scribble Talk 

Based in Denver, Angie Wolfe founded Ideas at Dawn Marketing Consultants in 2019. They bring large civil engineering and construction firms a competitive advantage with their proposals and training to win more work without adding on more payroll. 

TURNKEY PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT - Ideas at Dawn provides help in all aspects of proposal development, including overall management, volume leadership, writing, editing, graphics, desktop publishing, production support, and coaching your team. The team can collaborate with you and develop proposals using Microsoft Office, Google, and Adobe Creative Cloud. We apply proposal management techniques and tools to fit your team, the delivery method, and the time frame. We manage the proposal efficiently and cost-effectively from scheduling through submission. We leverage your team’s technical knowledge to create compelling and compliant proposals so you win more work.

PROPOSAL TRAINING AND MENTORING - Using the six-step framework developed by Angie, Ideas at Dawn provides a 1-day training and coaching and mentoring to the trainees for three months to level up their skills, so you win more work. They will learn how to produce a successful proposal and receive one-on-one mentoring to help implement the six steps within your organization to increase the team’s confidence, knowledge, and respect from SMEs, so you have more time while winning more work. All trainees have access to a full suite of tools and templates to manage the proposal easily and receive information with the first request.

Business Owner, Trainer, Speaker, and Proposal Manager

Kiewit

Manage a team including senior managers in the production of technical and creative content for business development, proposals, and reports.

Develop and execute the plan to respond to proposals and reports.

Manage, design, write, and review high-quality persuasive content in response to state, private, and federal client RFQs/RFPs in Microsoft Word or InDesign.

Research company statistics and data for new work opportunities.

Participate in message development, storyboarding, and analysis of client’s needs and wants.

Write, edit, and finalize formal communication pieces to clients.

Senior Proposal Manager and Writer

Kraemer North America

Responsible for writing technical and creative content for business development, proposals, and marketing.
Developed and executed the plan to respond to proposals.
Managed, designed, wrote, and reviewed high-quality persuasive content including presentations in response to state and private client RFQs/RFPs.
Managed social media marketing including writing, developing, and creating daily content for Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Managed, designed, wrote, and reviewed content for business development and communications materials including the company newsletter, website, advertising, and award submittals while collaborating with U.S. staff.
Participated in the message development, storyboarding and analysis of the client’s needs and wants.

Senior Proposal and Marketing Manager

Lead the development of the strategy, communication, implementation, adoption, training, and enhancements of four firm-wide business development tools/databases for 34 locations to win more work. 
o Business development/proposal process management solution 
o PleaseReview - Internal document review web-based software 
o Cosential - Resume, project information and standardized description database 
o Support role for CRM database and third-party reporting tool  

Managed three-person staff while collaborating with internal and external technical staff, vendors, and marketing and business development staff to create the strategy and manage the work and budgets for these solutions. 

Lead or participated in firm-wide monthly communications including a newsletter and knowledge transfer webinars. Created and communicated best practice processes and use case documents using a variety of communication tools including establishing use guidelines, measurements, and metrics.

Marketing Systems Product and Support Manager

Responsible for hiring, training, coaching, developing, and/or managing a team of 3 to 25 members including senior managers in the production of technical and creative content for business development and communications. 

Managed, designed, wrote, and reviewed content for business development and communications materials including press releases, internal and external announcements, feature stories, website content, webinars, video scriptwriting and storyboarding, event planning, advertising, and award submittals while collaborating with marketing and technical staff across the company.  

Lead the planning and development of internal and external collateral pieces, advertising campaigns, and photo and video shoots to support market growth and high-profile build work projects. Assisted with planning on internal business development conferences and meetings.

Business Development Specialist/Proposal Manager

Provided writing, editing, and production leadership on proposals, presentations, and marketing materials for strategic pursuits or those with a $10+ million fee. 

Collaborated with other marketing and technical leaders across the company during proposal and presentation strategy sessions. 

Participated in the message development, storyboarding and analysis of client’s needs and wants.

National Pursuit Coordinator

Marketing Coordinator

Responsible for hiring, training, coaching, developing, and/or managing a team of 3 to 15 members including senior managers in the production of technical and creative content for business development and communications. 

Managed, designed, wrote, and reviewed content for business development and communications materials including press releases, internal and external announcements, feature stories, website content, webinars, video scriptwriting and storyboarding, event planning, advertising, and award submittals while collaborating with marketing and technical staff across the company.  

Lead the planning and development of internal and external collateral pieces, and advertising campaigns to support market growth and high-profile build work projects. Assisted with planning on internal business development conferences and meetings.

Marketing and Business Development

DO YOU WORK IN AEC MARKETING AND...
Have multiple overlapping proposal deadlines?
Find your team overextended or burning out?
Wish you had buy-in from everyone on the pursuit team?
Struggle to find time to train new proposal staff the right way?
Think “If I just had one more set of hands…” at least once a week?

THEN STOP SCROLLING. THIS IS FOR YOU.

I’ve been in your shoes.
From chasing down SMEs to rewriting bios at midnight to onboarding new coordinators mid-pursuit—I get it.

I didn’t plan on a career in AEC marketing. Like many of you, I fell into it. But over 20+ years, I became a powerhouse proposal leader, managing and winning multi-billion-dollar pursuits with teams spread across the U.S.
I’ve trained new hires, supported teams through burnout, and built proposal strategies from the ground up.

When burnout hit me, I turned that experience into something new—and Ideas at Dawn was born.

SO, WHY KEEP READING?
Because I know what your team is facing, and I built this business to help you fix it—with solutions that actually work in the real world.

Here’s how we help you win more work without adding headcount:

🟡 Turnkey Proposal Management
Strategy, writing, editing, graphics, coaching—all tailored to help your team hit deadlines, tell better stories, and stop the fire drills.

🟡 Global Proposal Training Accelerator
A 6-month training and coaching program designed specifically for engineering and construction proposal, marketing, and business development teams.
We combine my 6-Step Proposal Process, 5 Leadership Practices, and live support to help your team reduce burnout, boost win rates, and grow capacity.
Built for teams navigating high-stakes public and private sector pursuits.

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re rebuilding the wheel for every pursuit, you’re not alone.

Let’s streamline your process, strengthen your team, and help you get your evenings back.

💬 Book a free 20-minute call and let’s talk about what’s going on:
https://letsmeet.io/ideasatdawnaecsolutions/get-to-know-each-other

And hey—if now’s not the right time to work together, that’s okay too. I also host free quarterly webinars packed with actionable tips and insight from industry experts.

Let’s win some proposals—and maybe even enjoy the process.

Angie Wolfe, CP APMP

“Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did.” – Mark Twain

Regret doesn’t come from action.
It comes from hesitation.
From waiting.
From letting fear of what if outweigh the power of why not.

→ The proposal you didn’t submit
→ The conversation you didn’t start
→ The opportunity you didn’t chase

What do we remember instead?
→ The lessons learned
→ The growth gained
→ The doors opened

Perfect outcomes? Rare.
But bold moves? They shape our future.

Key takeaway?
Discomfort is temporary.
Regret lingers.

So—
What’s the one bold move you’re committing to today?

Transforming AEC Marketing | Proposal Management & Training Expert | Helping Companies Win More without Adding Payroll

No alternative text description for this image

Let’s be honest —
The best proposals don’t start in marketing.
They start with your BD and sales team.

When proposal and business development teams truly collaborate, everything changes:
Your insights get sharper.
Your strategy gets stronger.
And your proposals? They win more often.

In my latest webinar, I break down how to bridge that gap and turn collaboration into your competitive advantage.

→ Understand your buyer’s needs — what really drives their decision.
→ Tap into your team’s motivations — align your goals and communication styles.
→ Build a seamless partnership — where BD brings intel and marketing brings clarity.

What do you gain?
→ Stronger pursuit strategies
→ More client-centered messaging
→ A unified team that’s rowing in the same direction

Because the secret to winning proposals isn’t just better writing —
It’s better alignment.

Key takeaway?
When marketing and BD teams collaborate with intention,
you don’t just chase opportunities — you create them.

Watch the full session → https://lnkd.in/eHWn7R_W

How do you keep collaboration strong between BD and marketing in your firm?
Let’s swap ideas that actually move the needle.

I made it to Friday.
Not just surviving,
But steering the proposal ship.

→ Balanced last-minute RFP asks
→ Wrangled SMEs for inputs
→ Navigated color team feedback

What did I gain?

→ A cleaner draft in the pipeline
→ A team that feels aligned
→ Space to reset before the next pursuit

Deadlines managed.
Reviews completed.
Momentum carried forward.

But here’s the truth:
Fridays aren’t just about closing files,
They’re about fueling the next win.

Key takeaway?
Clarity comes when we pause,
Reflect, and regroup.

How do you spend your Fridays?
→ Wrapping up an RFP?
→ Prepping for the next kickoff?
→ Or taking a well-earned breather?

Happy Friday! 🎉
Are you ready for the weekend? 🤩

This week, I tackled proposal chaos.
Not as a setback,
But as a sign of progress.

→ Managed shifting deadlines
→ Balanced SME input
→ Kept strategy front and center

What did I gain?
→ Clearer direction
→ Small wins worth celebrating
→ Momentum heading into next week

Stress handled.
Progress made.
Confidence built.

But here’s the truth: proposal life isn’t about perfect weeks,
It’s about stacking small wins.

Key takeaway?
Every Friday is a chance to pause, reflect,
And recharge for the next pursuit.

So tell me—
What’s one win you’re celebrating as you head into the weekend?

Did you know most firms lose proposals before they even hit “submit”?

Why?

Because they’re busy complying—
when they should be persuading.

→ They answer every question
→ Follow every instruction
→ Check every box

But they forget the most important part:
Convincing the client to choose them.

Compliance gets you considered.
Strategy gets you selected.

That’s the difference between submitting and winning.

In From Chaos to Clarity, I share the exact framework to help you shift from reactive proposal writing to strategic storytelling.

What does that mean in practice?
→ Building clear, client-focused win themes
→ Aligning your message with what evaluators actually care about
→ Leading your team with focus, confidence, and clarity

No more guessing.
No more “hope this works.”
Just a repeatable process that helps you stand out—and win more.

Because here’s the truth:
Checking the boxes might keep you compliant,
But strategy?
That’s what makes you compelling.

Key takeaway?
You don’t win proposals by doing everything right.
You win by doing the right things with intention.

From Chaos to Clarity: Unlock the Proven Process to Boost Your Win Rates: fromchaostoclaritybook.com

How do you make your proposals more persuasive?
Let’s share strategies and help each other raise the bar.

There are so many opportunities for adventure out there.

But here’s the thing—adventures don’t always mean climbing mountains or booking flights. Sometimes they look like:
→ Taking a new route on your morning walk
→ Trying a recipe you’ve never made
→ Starting a conversation with someone new
→ Tackling a project you’ve been putting off

Big or small, adventures push us out of autopilot and into possibility.

Key takeaway? 
Adventure = growth. And every day gives us a chance to choose one.

💬 What adventure are you saying yes to today?

Whether your favorite hobby is…
🎨 Painting
🥾 Hiking
🧘 Yoga
💃 Dancing
📺 Watching Netflix

…make time for it today. 💛

In our busy, always-on world, it’s easy to forget that hobbies aren’t just “extras.”
They’re essential — to your creativity, your mental health, and your happiness.

Your hobbies are where you get to:
→ Step away from the noise
→ Reconnect with joy
→ Express yourself freely
→ Refuel your energy for the week ahead

The truth?
You don’t need to monetize your hobby.
You don’t need to be great at it.
You just need to enjoy it.

So go ahead — grab a paintbrush, roll out your yoga mat, lace up your hiking boots, or hit play on your favorite show.

Whatever fills your cup, make space for it without guilt.

Key takeaway?
Hobbies aren’t a distraction from life — they’re what make it more meaningful. 🌿

👉 What’s one hobby that always helps you recharge — and are you making time for it today?

Happy Sunday! ☀️

A fresh start. A slower pace. A perfect day to recharge before the week ahead. 💛

So tell me — how will you spend your day today?

Maybe it’s…
☕ A slow morning with coffee and no rush.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family time catching up and making memories.
🌿 A walk outside to clear your head and soak up some sunshine.
📚 A little self-care — reading, journaling, or a mid-day nap.
🧘‍♀️ Planning your week so Monday feels a little lighter.

The truth?
You don’t have to fill every minute to make the day meaningful.
Sometimes, rest and reflection are the most productive things you can do.

Key takeaway?
How you spend your Sunday sets the tone for how you start your week — calm, grounded, and ready.

👉 So, how are you spending your Sunday today — relaxing, recharging, or reconnecting?

No success comes without its failures. 

If you’re managing a team, you’ll have to get comfortable with failure.

That isn’t to say you shouldn’t strive for success; rather, embrace a fail-forward attitude. Know that sometimes, your team will fail, and have plans in place to turn each failure into a learning opportunity. 

In other words, make sure they don’t repeat the same mistake twice while also ensuring they know they’re allowed to make well-intentioned mistakes.​ 

#leadership #failforward #marketingconsultants #proposalwriters

Happy Weekend! 🎉

Weekends are for:
→ Slowing down
→ Recharging
→ Doing something that makes you smile

Whether that’s cheering on your kids at a game, diving into a good book, heading outdoors, or simply catching up on rest—it all counts.

Key takeaway? Rest isn’t wasted time. It’s the reset that makes us better on Monday.

💬 What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this weekend?

Leadership isn’t defined by titles.
Not by corner offices,
Not by nameplates,
Not by org charts.

It’s defined by impact.

→ The influence you create
→ The inspiration you spark
→ The change you catalyze

Robin Sharma said it best:
True leadership transcends formal titles.

Because here’s the truth:
Anyone can hold authority.
But not everyone leaves a legacy.

Key takeaway?
Leadership isn’t a role you’re given.
It’s a responsibility you choose.

So let’s debate it—
Do you agree or disagree?
Can leadership exist without the title?

Supercharge Your Team's Efficiency and Double Your Bids!

Want to learn more about what we offer and how we can train your team?

Send me a message, or set up a call here: https://lnkd.in/ewvZpaXC

Sundays are the perfect day to prep healthy meals for the week! 🥗✨

A little bit of time in the kitchen today can save you a lot of stress (and last-minute takeout) later in the week.

Meal prep isn’t just about food — it’s about setting yourself up for success.

→ It keeps your energy steady.
→ It helps you make better choices when your week gets busy.
→ It gives you one less thing to think about on those chaotic weekday mornings or late work nights.

Meal prep can look different for everyone:
🍴 Cooking a few complete meals in advance
🥦 Chopping veggies and portioning snacks
🥗 Prepping your lunches for work
🍝 Making a big batch of something easy to reheat midweek

The truth?
It’s not about being perfect — it’s about being prepared.

Even spending 30 minutes today can help you start your week feeling lighter, healthier, and more in control. 💪

Key takeaway?
Healthy weeks don’t happen by accident — they’re built one Sunday at a time.

👉 Do you prep meals on Sundays? Or do you have another go-to ritual that helps your week run smoother?

✨ Sunday Reminder:
You can handle whatever this week throws at you. 💪

No matter what’s waiting on your calendar — deadlines, meetings, decisions, or surprises — remember this:
You’ve handled tough weeks before, and you came out stronger every time.

Take today to breathe, reset, and remind yourself of your strength.

You don’t have to have every detail figured out.
You just have to take it one step, one task, one moment at a time.

Here’s your quick mindset reset for the week ahead:
🌿 You are capable.
⚙️ You are resilient.
💛 You are ready.

And if things don’t go exactly to plan? That’s okay, too.
Progress isn’t about perfection — it’s about showing up, learning, and trying again tomorrow.

Key takeaway?
Confidence doesn’t come from knowing what’s ahead — it comes from trusting yourself to handle it.

So take a deep breath, shake off last week, and step into this one with calm and purpose.

👉 What’s one thing you’re focusing on to make this week a great one?

“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”
— Jack Kornfield 💛

Powerful reminder, right?

We’re often so quick to offer kindness, patience, and understanding to everyone around us — our teams, our families, our friends — yet we rarely extend that same compassion to ourselves.

We forgive others for being human, but we expect ourselves to be superhuman.

Here’s the truth:
Compassion isn’t complete if it stops at everyone else’s doorstep.

Real compassion includes:
💬 Speaking to yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend.
🧘 Allowing yourself to rest without guilt.
🌿 Acknowledging that growth takes time — and mistakes are part of the process.
💛 Giving yourself permission to be enough, right where you are.

The more we practice self-compassion, the more empathy, patience, and presence we can bring to others.

Key takeaway?
You can’t pour from a cup that’s empty — and you can’t lead with compassion if you don’t extend it inward first.

👉 How do you practice self-compassion in your daily life — especially on the hard days?

I watched Moana again.
Not just for the music.
But for the message. 🌊✨

→ Faced uncertainty head-on
→ Navigated uncharted waters
→ Found strength in the storms

Sound familiar?
That’s proposal management in a nutshell.

What did I learn?
→ Courage fuels progress
→ Adversity builds resilience
→ Every challenge leaves a mark—and a lesson

Because the truth is—
the proposal journey isn’t calm seas.
It’s long nights, shifting tides, and unknown horizons.

But just like Moana, we keep steering forward.
We lead with heart.
We find new paths when the map runs out.

Key takeaway?
Success isn’t about smooth sailing.
It’s about showing up with courage, curiosity, and conviction—
even when the waves rise.

How do you navigate your proposal storms?
Let’s share what keeps us steady. ⚓

👉

Open article: Unveiling the Secrets of Proposal Management Through Disney's Moana by ideasatdawn.com

Unveiling the Secrets of Proposal Management Through Disney's Moana

I used to think work-life balance was a myth.
That constant hustle was the price of success.

But here’s what I’ve learned—
Burnout doesn’t build progress. It blocks it.

Finding balance isn’t about doing less work.
It’s about working with more intention.

→ Protect your personal time — guilt-free.
→ Step away from screens — even for five minutes.
→ Invest in real relationships — at work and at home.

What did I gain?
→ Clearer focus
→ Better energy
→ A sense of calm I didn’t know I was missing

Because when you recharge you,
Everything else gets stronger — your proposals, your leadership, your life.

Key takeaway?
Balance isn’t a luxury.
It’s your best strategy against burnout.

Watch the full video → https://lnkd.in/e24nQYAU

How do you protect your energy and maintain balance in your day?
Let’s share what’s working — and keep each other accountable.

Open video: Avoid Burnout with These 3 Tips on youtube.com

I embraced gratitude this season.
Not as a cliché,
But as a mindset shift.

→ Paused to reflect on the wins (big and small)
→ Recognized the people who made them possible
→ Let go of the things I thought I lacked

What did I gain?
→ Clarity in what truly matters
→ A deeper sense of appreciation
→ Renewed motivation to keep showing up

Stress eased. Perspective gained. Energy restored.

But here’s the truth:
Gratitude doesn’t ignore the hard stuff,
It reframes it.

Key takeaway?
When you focus on what you have,
You create space for more of what you want.

As German Kent said,
“It’s a funny thing about life — once you begin to take note of the things you’re grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.”

What’s one thing you’re grateful for right now?
Drop it below and let’s spread a little perspective. 💛

I’m opening a few spots for a Proposal Readiness Audit for teams gearing up for 2026 pursuits.

Here’s what I do:
 • Review one recent proposal or draft
 • Identify your top three gaps holding your team back
 • Build a simple, practical action plan you can use right away

It’s a fast turnaround — 3 business days — and the investment is $2,500.

Want me to hold a spot for your team?

If you want your team ready for 2026, send me a message and I’ll lock in your spot.

I embraced gratitude this season.
Not as a passing thought,
But as a daily practice.

→ Looked back with appreciation, not regret
→ Found calm in the middle of chaos
→ Chose to see lessons instead of losses

What did I gain?
→ Clarity from confusion
→ Peace in the present
→ A grounded vision for what’s next

Stress softened. Perspective deepened. Focus sharpened.

But here’s the truth:
Gratitude doesn’t just make us feel good—
It transforms how we see everything.

As Melody Beattie said,
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough and more.
It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

Key takeaway?
Gratitude is strategy.
It turns reflection into resilience,
And appreciation into action.

What’s something you’re grateful for that changed your perspective this year? 💛

Jack Dyer🕺

JOIN US NEXT WEDNESDAY IN CARDIFF: My team and I are running an interactive workshop!



We’ve seen time and again how
important your LinkedIn profile is.

But we’ve seen so many Leaders
with neglected LinkedIn profiles…
leave thousands ££$$ on the table.

(or more accurately, their keyboard)
So why don’t we change that?

We’ve grown unknown leaders from
total obscurity to thought leadership
on LinkedIn during 2025.

We’ve worked with 11 clients from
the USA…  to the UK…  to the UAE.

Now it’s time we showed you
how to do it FOR YOURSELF!


So we’re launching our interactive
LinkedIn Optimisation Workshop next
Wednesday at Studio Halo Cardiff!

This workshop is an investment
in the future of your business.

We’ll show you how
to get your Storytold™

5 hours that will change everything,
Discounts on remaining tickets,
Link in the comments below,
Only a few places left,
Come and join us,
In Cardiff Bay,
19th Nov,
❤️🕺

https://lnkd.in/e2eN9qn6

Stop posting in the dark. We turn your LinkedIn into a business asset, with almost ZERO effort from you. | Top 1% LinkedIn Storyteller | CEO of Storytold.

Well, that was a success!



This week, my team and I went
to The Business Show London 
and saw 25,000 businesses!

And only a few stood out to us.

We'll be promoting you next week.
Today I'm sharing the adventures 
of our newest team member... 

Jeff Von Duckington!

He's been giving out discounts like
he doesn't give a duck, and only 
a select few people were lucky
enough to meet him this week!

We met many who 
weren't duck-worthy. 

But if we gave you a duck, it means
you made a big impression on us
and we'd love to work with you!

Watch this space. Good things are coming next week.

Natasha, Gabrielle and
I will get your Storytold™
Trust me on this one.

🕺



Some fantastic people:

David Francis, Gemma Kavanagh and Richard Collins

Amie Crews and Paddy Keogh Weller

Katie Shaw and Jessica Hart

Nicola Lyle and Stella Chaplin,

Simon P. and Erina Singh Ellis,

Mike Strange and Clare Bungey

Russell Schaller and Kevin F.

And of course Katerina Christou, Jonathan Russell, Stephanie Henwood, Blair Fiander, Nicole Bachmann, Lewis Sweeting, Amy Parry, Michelle Scott, Alina Khardina

I don’t like my employees.



I love them!
Ok, sorry for the bait and switch.
But it was important for this next part:

I never thought I’d actually
achieve my lifelong dream of
running my own company.


But I have.


And even then, I never thought
I’d get myself a team (I thought I’d
run a freelance solo consultancy)


But I have.


And then, I never expected that
other people would believe in me
and my vision as much as I do.


But they do.


And now, it just feels the most
natural thing in the world to have
become friends with my team.


Because we have.


My team mean the world to me.
I’m not a father. I don’t know if I’ll
ever choose to have kids, and that’s
okay. Everyone does life differently.

But I feel like a proud father of my
team. They’re weird. They’re brilliant.
They make me smile on an hourly basis.

Oh yeah, and they’re gonna think I’m
drunk writing this because why am I
spewing such sentimental nonsense?

Because, quite frankly, it’s true.

Now I’m off to tell them I hate them and
they’re fired. It’s how I show affection.

Don’t worry, they fire me too.
It’s the culture we’ve built, and
often they threaten to overthrow me
and burn Storytold™ to the ground.

Then in the same hour, they create
something outstanding for our clients.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Come and work with us as a client!
https://lnkd.in/ea2qz8vX

Spaces are limited, because there’s
so much awesome flowing from our
team that if you joined us as well….

The universe might explode.
🕺🏻

I worry that I’m never going to be rich.



When I was a freelancer in 2019,
I designed a campaign to the Maldives…

And every day I worked on the project,
I was constantly jealous that this was
a once-in-a-lifetime, luxury holiday,
I’d never have the chance to go on.

It was for the top Citroen salespeople.
The top dealers across the UK could
win a trip to LITERAL paradise.

And I got to design all the
collateral for the whole trip:

→ The itinerary
→ The brochures
→ The web banners
→ The branded menus
→ The personalised boxes
→ The excursions and events
→ Even the damn luggage tags


And I’d never get to go.

Except…. I was dead wrong.

6 years ago I designed this.


But last month,
with my proven Storytold system...
I finally got to go to the Maldives!


This is the power of hard work,
combined with having a dream
that you keep working towards.

For 5 days, my girlfriend and I
experienced what the super-rich
experience about 6 times a year.

So keep working,
keep building something,
and know that anything can
happen if you put your mind to it.

If you’re not where you want
to be right now, I hear you.

But you can be.

If your LinkedIn is neglected
That’s the best place to start.

I grew from 740 to 46K followers
with my proven Storytold system.

And you can too.


Let’s get you to the Maldives!

Burnout isn’t sexy. 




For the last 4 weekends, I’ve been:

- attending business shows in London
- going to public speaking events
- travelling across the UK for work
- running workshops to help others

On top of that, I’ve been working
12 hour days for 5 days a week. 

Which means I haven’t had a 
day off to rest in over a month. 


And y’know what? 


I’m an idiot. 


Because if I want to perform at my best
during the week, I need some downtime!

Humans aren’t designed to run on empty.
We need days off.


So today, I’m not travelling, I’m sat at home 
with my feet up and actually letting my brain 
recover by playing a mindless PC game! 

That photo is from Cardiff on Thursday
(one of many, many, many trips recently)


I’m not getting anyone’s #storytold today! 


Have a great weekend all, and remember:
High achievers like you can only achieve
if you give yourself permission to rest.

We’re both good and bad:



Isn’t it interesting how ‘good’ and ‘bad’
in politics swings like a pendulum?

80 years ago, fascism was the villain.

After the war, everyone put up national
security barrier (understandable) and
communism/socialism was the enemy.

Then came the Reagan era, when
conservative values were celebrated,
and all the “hippies” were the outcasts.

Then in the 2000s, the conservative
right held the “bad guy” label, while
liberalism felt like the moral compass.

And now, thanks to Hollywood’s campaign
to obliterate and destroy anything male
in favour of the ultra powerful ‘girlboss’
that nobody, not even women, enjoy…

Now things are starting to change
again. Now it’s “go woke, go broke”.


Throughout history, the social and
political narrative always changes.

Left is good. Right is bad.
Right is good. Left is bad.
Round and round it goes.


But neither side is inherently ‘good’
or ‘bad.’ Each represents context,
culture, and perspective, and our
often strong opinions change as we
go through different stages of life.


So why the hell am I talking about this?

Because we’re at a crucial moment.


A moment to recognise that AI, and
AI content generated by people with
agendas, is pushing us further and
further into polarisation. And worse,
pushing us AWAY from each other.

What we need, now more than ever,
is real human connection. Not more AI.

Not algorithms. But real conversations
where we seek to understand the other
points of view, not argue against them.

Because the moment we open ourselves
up to why others think the way they do,
we don’t just find common ground.
We find empathy and understanding.


And the easiest way to create empath
for you and your business, is to start
getting your story told. That’s why
I named my company #Storytold.

Stories stay true to your mission
without alienating anyone. Without
flip-flopping on your core values.

They help you attract your audience,
rather than pushing them away. Stories
help you build a community of loyal fans.

Every business owner deserves to get
their story told. And for that, there’s
only one team to choose:

Tash,
Gabby,
Anneka,
+ Jack at
Storytold™

Stories connect us.

So connect with us to tell yours.
(DM me for a 3 month discount)

🕺

From invisible to influential | Top 1% LinkedIn Storyteller & Leader | CEO of Storytold. | 15+ years empowering CEOs with integrity and authentic, visual storytelling. | Architect of the Unseen

How I feel like I’ve “made it”:



I was relaxing on Saturday
(for a change) and I opened
LinkedIn, to new notifications.


I though… On a Saturday? Sure, ok!


Clicked it…


And totally out of the blue,
a company I’ve never heard of
"Featured" me in a LinkedIn post!


→ They wrote about my experience
(all found from my profile information)

→ They complimented me on my
“outstanding performance & growth”

→ They even found a photo of me from
an old site, retouched it with photoshop
and AI, added different shoulders, arms
and hands (they aren’t mine, they’re AI)
and added an on-brand headline !!!


Essentially, this was a Press Release
that appeared out of the blue, that I
wasn’t contacted about beforehand,
from a company I’ve never heard of.

And what I find most fascinating of all:
they did it without my consent or even
asking me if I’d like to be featured.

If they’d have asked, I’d have said yes!
but they went ahead and did it anyway!

It made me smile that this happened.
Because it means that “I’ve made it”.

Someone, somewhere, saw my profile
and based on that alone, decided I
was worth their time to write about.


And that’s the power of a great profile.


Your profile should work while you sleep.
If it doesn’t, let’s do something about it.


If yours isn’t getting you opportunities,
we’ll conduct a Storytold LinkedIn Audit
(the same system I use on my profile).

Worth £850, I’m doing a Black Friday
sale so you pay just £212.50 (75% off!)
DM to claim yours before we book up.

I’ll see you "featured" in my DMs!


Jack 🕺

The loudest leaders are losing their voices.



Sometime in the last 20 years,
leadership became about showing off.

Every post was carefully crafted to say:

“Look how brilliant I am.”
“Look how many things I know.”
“Look how successful I’ve become.”


But thankfully, things have changed.


There’s so much ‘perfect’ AI content,
that those ‘perfect’ leaders are DONE.
We don’t believe them, and switch off.

The ones who ACTUALLY get attention
are the leaders who admit when they
falter, fail, or even duck things up.


Because it makes them HUMAN!


We pay attention to Leaders who:

→ Admit when “I made a mistake.”
→ Say, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”
→ Share the lessons they’re learning,
not just the ones they’ve mastered.


Your flaws don't make you weak.

They makes you RELATABLE.


So next time you want to share
something, don’t make it perfect.

Tell us about a time you got it wrong,
and we’ll all respect you a hell of a lot
more than all those ‘look at me’ leaders.

THAT’s how you get your Storytold™ 🕺
Join us for a limited time offer:

https://lnkd.in/e633ifJr

9 things I've never told anyone (on LinkedIn):



Storytold™ is officially 9 months old!
So I wanted to mark the occasion
by sharing some not-so-secrets:


1:  You all know I’m an introvert.
But I LOVE meeting new people.

2:  I’m not just a CEO and Designer.
I can also play the Steel Drums!

3:  I’m legitimately scared of death.
I have so much to give, so much
life to live, I’m scared it’ll all end.

4:  I had a manager who bullied
and threatened to fire me because
I wasn’t “happy enough” at the tills.

5:  I left a job in 2017 to go freelance
and replaced my salary in year one!

6:  I never kill spiders. I catch them
in a glass and release them outside!

7:  I once got scammed out of £250
buying a Macbook on Facebook that
never got delivered by the scammers.

8: My birthday is the 8th, my dad’s
is the 8th, and my mum’s is the 8th…
But we’re all born in different months!

9:  I didn’t create Storytold because
I was running away from a bad job.
I did it because I knew it could help
millions of business owners like you.




Since 9 is a weird number, here’s a bonus secret:


10:  I vowed, one day, to make enough
money to buy my parents a house
when they retire. I’d better hurry up…


I’m Jack, the introvert who started
his own business out of nothing and
suddenly has international clientele,
a team of 7, and a totally different
life than I had even just a year ago.

I created a system that truly works,
and my primary goal is to help you
(whether we work together or not)

Pop into my calendar for a chat.
And we’ll get your Storytold

My team make fun of me.



And honestly?

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The other day, our group chat was gold.
My phone was pinging off the hook.
“@‌jack, look at this masterpiece”

Someone had dug out an old
photo of me in front of a billboard…
and covered the whole thing in turnips.

(“turnip” being my writer’s
affectionate nickname for me.)

My reaction?

I could have got annoyed
I could have started a disciplinary
I could've said ‘that’s unprofessional'

But of COURSE I didn’t.
Instead I burst out laughing,
and my team followed my lead.

“Jack got a billboard 💀”
“That was worth 5 years of uni, NGL.”
“our job is taking the piss outta Jack.”

This kind of team culture is what most
companies try, and fail, to cultivate.
And yet for us, it comes naturally.
Because I embrace and reward it.

Because if your team can’t laugh
with you (and sometimes at you)…

then you’re probably not
building a company where
people can be themselves.

At Storytold™ we’re serious about our
work and we get seriously good results.
But we don’t take ourselves too seriously.

In fact, that’s probably the reason we do
so well. 'Cos my team can be themselves.

That’s how we stay connected.
That’s how we stay creative.
That’s how we stay human.

So yeah, my team laughs at me.
And I actively encourage it.

Because laughter = trust.
And trust = a happy team.
Happiness = better work.

And when you work with Storytold™
YOU’RE the one who benefits most.

Work with us, laugh your face
off, and get your Storytold.
DM me to get started 🕺

“I want him to do well, but not better than me.”



I overheard this in the gym the
other day (well, the locker room).

And I thought to myself…
I used to think this way.

No need to comment or tell us.
Have you ever thought this too?


This is a very limiting belief.
A mindset winners DON’T have.


For context, here’s the full story:

I was changing after going swimming.
Two other guys were in the locker room.

One guy was talking about his friend.
He got him a job at the same company,
and watched as his friend climbed the
ranks quicker than the guy talking did.

Eventually, his friend became his boss.
And he completed his story by saying:

“Like, I wanted him to be successful…
Just not more successful than me! 😂”

And I get it.
When I was young,
I thought this way too.
(to my shame, looking back)

But if someone is truly your friend,
And if you have an infinite mindset,

You don’t let your own jealousy
begrudge them their success.

You’re happy for them!
You want them to win!
You cheer them on!
You support them!

THEIR success is NOT a reflection of
your own inadequacy. But thinking that
you’re only successful if they’re not, IS.

Leaders know we can all be successful.
And: That comparison keeps you small.

The friend who did well was focused
on being the best version of himself.
By not comparing, he succeeded.

The jealous friend was constantly
comparing. And he got left behind.

Focus on your own journey.
Do the work. Make it happen.
And support others to join you.

There’s enough success for us all.

Jack 🕺

How I hit 46k followers (without using AI)



“AI really pulled through for me”

Someone said when I was freelancing.

No, really. Let me set the scene for you:

Hey Turnipheads, it’s Natasha here.
Where’s Jack? Don't worry about it.

Recently Jack and I spoke about the
hot topic of AI, live on Radio Cardiff.

We’re not against using AI as a tool.
But people become too reliant on it.
It can’t do what people really need.

For example, last year I designed
a little logo for a castle coffee shop.

Showed the guy the logo, and he said
“Nah, we used AI & it pulled through!”


Hint, it didn't.


The logo was badly drawn, low pixels,
not adaptable, no colours, not unique.
A coffee cup with a castle thrown in.

And they liked it….. For 3 days.
Then they just stopped using it.


AI didn't understand the nuances,
or their personality, or their SOUL…
so nobody connected with the logo
emotionally. They deserved BETTER.


👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

Connecting with an audience (and
growing to over 46k followers means
understanding personality and nuance.

This is something AI cannot replicate.

AI skips the ‘why’ and “gives outcome”
Worse, everyone can tell when you get
ChatGPT or Claude to write your posts.

I used to have 740 LinkedIn followers.
Now my team and I have +46,000…
Because we connect with EMOTIONS.
We tell authentic stories. AI doesn’t.

AI cannot get your story told.
No matter how fast/easy it is.


For brands that want to build trust.

For those who connect with people,

And for those who have a story to tell:

Thats where real design pulls through.

I’m Natasha, the designer at Storytold.


And our dedicated little team has helped
global CEOs grow on LinkedIn & beyond
with more genuine connections.

Let us help you get your story told:
https://lnkd.in/e2e-4UVa

🕺

AI cant design proper good like

SAVE THE DATE. 19TH NOVEMBER.



My little team and I are running an
interactive workshop…  in Cardiff!

We’ve seen time and again how
important your LinkedIn profile is.

But we’ve seen so many Leaders
leave thousands ££$$ on the table.
Or, more accurately, their keyboard.


So why don’t we change that?


We’ve grown unknown leaders from
total obscurity to thought leadership
on LinkedIn during 2025.

Now it’s time we showed you
how to do it FOR YOURSELF.

It’s taken months of planning…
But we’re finally launching our
new Interactive Workshop at
Studio Halo on 19th November!

This workshop is an investment
in the future of your business.

We’ll show you how
to get your Storytold™

5 hours that will change everything.
Link in the comments below.
Come and join us:

https://lnkd.in/eZQeDqnv

🕺

I realised most CEOs are failing at LinkedIn, and here’s why:



Last week at the 
The Business Show London
a CEO told me difficult to hear:

“Jack… I think LinkedIn just isn’t
for people like me anymore.”

He sounded almost embarrassed
to admit it, and realised he meant:

“I’m posting into the void and
it’s making me doubt myself.”


I get it.


LinkedIn makes smart leaders feel invisible.
Especially when see competitors post the
same recycled ideas, and somehow get
200 likes and three inbound leads from it.


Meanwhile, their own content, the stuff they
spent 20 hours a week sweating over, gets
70 impressions, 2 likes, and duck-all else.
No clicks on their website, no calls booked.


I’ve learned this issue hides a very real fear:
He also said: “Maybe the problem is me.”


It’s not.


The problem is that today, CEOs are
expected to run a business AND magically
become world-class Content Strategists too.


That same CEO told me: “I’ve got a writer.
I’ve got a marketing person. But none of
it is landing us any new clients.”


And ‘cos I want to help him, I told him the truth.


A copywriter can write. A marketer can post.
But neither can build influence if the strategy,
psychology, and story aren’t connecting on
an emotional level with your audience.


–  It’s not about posting more often.
–  Or designing prettier photos.
–  Or being “more creative.”


It’s about having a message that
cuts through, CONSISTENTLY, without
draining the CEO’s time or brainpower.


So we ran a Brand Discovery session.
We rebuilt his message. We stopped
guessing. We created a strategy that
matched his buyers’ behaviour.


And within 3 weeks, his posts were
doing what they were supposed to:

Getting attention. Building authority.
Starting conversations. Attracting leads.

Not because he changed.
But because his strategy did.


You don’t need to post more.
You need a team that posts SMARTER,
and turns your expertise into demand.


That same CEO who used to spend
20 hours of worry, now spends one
hour a week laughing on a call with us.

And his LinkedIn has become a real
business asset, not just a time sink.


And if you’ve been spending 20 hours
a week writing LinkedIn posts that take
all your energy and give nothing back…


Then it’s time for a change.


It’s time to make LinkedIn work for YOU,
without you doing all the work. DM me.


We’ll help you get your story told.
https://lnkd.in/ecCVYZhK

“If I want something done properly, I have to do it myself”.



I used to think this way.
And it held me back more
than anything else as a CEO.

That belief is exactly why I sucked
at LinkedIn every day for 6 months.

I was carrying EVERYTHING alone:
strategy, writing, posting, planning,
coming up with new content ideas,
messaging, positioning, branding…
while also running a company.


And I was exhausted.


It’s no wonder my posts all flopped.
I’d get 2 likes and do a happy dance
'cos that was a 100% improvement
on yesterday, but still no clients.

That was January to June 2024.
In July last year, I sought help.

→ I hired a VA.
→ Then a Writer.
→ Then a Designer.
→ Then a Junior Writer.


And now, I’ve got a question I wish
someone had asked me last year:

“What if all my content was written by
people who genuinely care about my
business and enjoy working together?”

✔️ Your audience grows faster.
✔️ Your message becomes clearer.
✔️ Your authority becomes undeniable.
✔️ And LinkedIn stops feeling like a
lonely, thankless job that’s all on you.


I used to spend 10 hours a week writing
content that did nothing for my growth.


So I know your pain.
Then I created Storytold,
to solve that pain for myself.
And I created a system where we
solve that pain, every day, for you too.

So if you’re tired of carrying LinkedIn by
yourself, and you want a team who cares
about your business as much as you do,


You can finally stop doing everything alone.

Let’s make LinkedIn finally work for you.

Let’s get your story told. Properly.

DM me.

What’s most important to your business?



Most would say ‘getting new clients’.
That’s the whole point of networking.

But in many leaders, the thought of
“networking” brings us out in hives.

What if there was a way to attract
more clients, organically, without
chasing down the leads yourself?


There is.


Storytelling.


It’s like magic.


And when you combine the two,
you become simply unstoppable.

For every 10 exhibitors at
The Business Show London,
there was 1 who told their story.
THEY’re the ones who got noticed.

When you turn your LinkedIn profile
into an optimised, story-driven page,

And when you tell #authentic stories
that provide raw value to an audience

That’s when you’ve transcended just
networking, and when your business
hits a higher level of real engagement.


If your LinkedIn page could make sales
while you slept… would you invest in it?


'course you would.


I did. And I went from a nobody,
to 45,000+ followers, a team of 5,
and #CEO of a flourishing business.

And to replicate this for yourself, join
the other Storytold™ partners here ↓
https://lnkd.in/ewa_-z-Z

Happy birthday! Not to you, though:



Last week was the 100th
anniversary of visual storytelling!

On 30th October 1925,
John Baird made the first ever
image transmission on a TV.

A decade later, the BBC took it one
step further, and launched the world’s
first high-definition TV service in 1936.

And not long after, everyone enjoyed
visual storytelling all around the globe!

Visual stories literally have the power to
change the course of history. When the
public saw the Vietnam war, it ended!

Television was the most powerful
method of visual storytelling…
Until the internet came along

And now we all have a film studio
in our pockets, and can share
our stories online instantly!

You could write a post.
Or shoot a video.
Or take a selfie.

But because EVERYONE can do it,
the problem isn’t ease of access.


👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
It’s how to stand out.
☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️


How to sound real,
authentic, and moving.

In a world of abundance, content
without INtent is meaningless.

My team and I believe in authenticity.
Creating visually entertaining stories,
that show your expertise with honesty.

You want to grow your audience.
We know how to do it.
We’ll help you.

Together, after 100 years of
visual storytelling, we’ll make
the great John Baird proud.

Trust me on this one.

🕺

What's a success story?



For me, it's more about 
the impact we have on
our clients lives than
just the numbers.

Sure, we grew Justin from
5,300 followers to 10,091
in just over three months.

Sure, we made Cassandra's
Sports Tech brand basically
famous with her audience.

But the most impactful moments
are where we grow a business
and the owner's personal life...

IMPROVES DRAMATICALLY.

That's what happens when
you get your Storytold™

Trust me on this one.

"How do I stop my posts sounding like AI?"



I went to an event last night,
and someone asked me this.

The answer is surprisingly simple.

Don't ask #AI to write your post.

Or if you do, be smart and edit it with 
your own thoughts before you post it.

The greatest source of power and 
imagination on earth isn’t far away.

It’s right between your ears.

And you’re not using it.

People want to hear from YOU,
not a robot writing on your behalf.

Stop damaging your own reputation
by taking the ‘easy’ path with AI.

Trust me on this one.

#Storytold 🕺

Most networking events are designed to drain you.



I’m a paradox. I'm an introvert, but
love meeting new people at events.

And the best way to do that is
*get ready to shudder at the word*…


Networking.


It can make most introverts feel drained
after thirty minutes of “what do you do?”

But Sanjeev’s events are different.
Because of the people he invites!
The energy is genuine, and the
connections we make are real.

I had a genuine, instantly warm smile
when Aneela Rose walked up to me.
She’s one of those rare souls whose
energy charges you within seconds!

Then there’s Tejas Kotecha, a superb
communicator who had Aneela & my
sides hurting with laughter, literally.

And the best bit is, Tejas has decided
to work with Storytold™ (grabbing my
huge Black Friday discount, no less)!

I can’t wait to make his professional
profile as fantastic as he is in person.


I’m so glad I went all the way to London
for Sanjeev’s event. Connecting with
people authentically is beautiful.

Business shouldn't feel transactional;
it should feel like helping a friend out,
because you have skills they need.

And that’s where most people go
wrong on their LinkedIn profiles.
They appear too corporate and
forget that we’re all just people!


→ Be authentic. Be yourself.

→ Ditch the corporate speak.

→ Tell transformational stories.

→ (or ask my team to do it for you)


Just like at Sanjeev’s events:

When you show up as your authentic
self, and with a helpful, clear message,
people notice (in real life and online).

Thanks, Sanjeev, Aneela, and Tejas,
for making the night truly special!



PS. I’m Jack, and I make your LinkedIn
as attractive as you are. DM and say hi!

taplio

The Battle

Angie Wolfe, CP APMP

Jack Dyer🕺

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The Battle

Angie Wolfe, CP APMP

Jack Dyer🕺

Followers

Posts

Engagements

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Angie Wolfe, CP APMP's LinkedIn Performance

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