Narrate Creative

Representing yourself on social media and controlling your narrative has never been more important. AI is everywhere, but it’s no match for the real you. 

A Founder’s network and influence are proven to be the biggest levers for growth available to companies of all sizes, especially to early-stage startups. 

But posting thought-provoking social media content every day is hard, and you have a lot of other areas of your business to worry about. 

That’s why we have a process to collect your thought leadership, in your words, to help you show up consistently on social media with content that will resonate with your specific ideal audience. 

Our systemized approach will help you start more sales conversations and earn more revenue. 
Want to use LinkedIn content to create more sales opportunities? I will create you a week’s worth of content — in your own words — FREE. No commitment required and no hard sell. 

Here’s how it works: We’ll meet for a call, and I’ll interview you to create a week’s worth of video and text posts and help you schedule them on LinkedIn.

Sound good? Message me on LinkedIn to chat about it.

The Lean Marketing for SaaS Podcast

Host of the Lean Marketing for SaaS Podcasts, featuring guests that include SaaS founders, marketers, creators and more. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJhJq-ikqELM84mS3_2CXWf0ostuPAPFG

Host

Tell Ten Friends Marketing

Tell Ten Friends is a new media marketing company, specializing in using web-based tools to grow your customer base, and building your website to be a complete sales tool.

Owner

Hootsuite

Manager of blog and social team. Senior Editor of HootSuite blog, strategist and lead social media manager for marketing on all of the major social networks: Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Facebook and Instagram.

Lead Storyteller/Content Manager

Work at Play

Accounts and Strategy professional with an emphasis on social media and professional sports.

Account Executive

Strutta

Strutta is a software platform for online photo and video contests, that has worked with some of the world's largest brands and ad agencies. 

In the capacity of Director of Community Relations and later Director of Marketing, I have led Strutta's marketing from pre-launch to cash-flow positive status. Site content, sales materials, staffing, training, CRM management, agency and client relations, project management, assistance with "productizing" our software and many other business operations fall under my stewardship. 

Strutta continues to be a leading technology provider for multimedia contest campaigns on Facebook, and self-hosted. Contact me if you are interested in the power of contests with social media.

Director of Marketing

Fulcrum Agency

Public Relations and Marketing Manager for a firm specializing in Sales Training and Business Coaching. Specializing in online marketing initiatives, email campaigns and business blogging.

Manager of Marketing and Public Relations

CHUM Television

Producer, copywriter and editor of local advertising and promos for Victoria television station. Also managed several annual marketing events throughout Vancouver Island to promote the station.

Commercial Producer

Island Publishers, The Business Examiner

Advertising Consultant

Peak Publishing

Managing a large client base as a Display Advertising Rep for a semi-weekly newspaper and special sections.

Marketing Consultant

We do thought leadership social media content for Founder-led sales. In just two 30-minute interviews a month, we create one post per weekday for you, and help you start more sales conversations.

Founders, social sellers and thought leaders: I can help you book more meetings from your social media content.

I’ll help you build a simple, time-effective workflow that will help you build your influence on LinkedIn with content (in your own words) and fill your inbox with sales leads automatically.  

We’ve helped dozens of tech startup founders with founder-led sales. Our systems help them grow their qualified leads and revenue. I use the same system to book 5-10 qualified leads a week. 

Happy to walk you through the systems on a quick call. Click the link below my name above; my calendar loads on that page.

Jordan Behan

STOP saying these words and phrases in your content. 

Here are three examples of things that I try to edit OUT of my client's content (recorded in their own words), to make them sound smarter: 

1. "So." I don't know when it happened, but so has become an overused filler word. Sometimes it adds useful context, but most of the time, a sentence is stronger without it. So stop it (see what I mean?). 

2. "At the end of the day." This one has just become too popular an idiom. See also: "ultimately." It's a useful phrasing ("after [x], [y] happens"), but it's overused. Instead of suggesting a substitute, I challenge you to be more specific. Tell us what [x] is, specifically. This approach might NOT be as succinct, but it will help you sound more like yourself and less like everyone else. 

3. "I think." You are, therefore you think (hat tip to Descartes). You don't have to tell us every time. The problem with this one, especially starting a sentence with it, is that you sound unsure of yourself. I think you'll sound more confident without it (see?). 

What other examples can you think of that we can do without in our writing, especially as it applies to LinkedIn content?

Give me two 30-minute meetings a month and I’ll make your personal social content kick ass. Done-with-you content production for CXOs, in your OWN words.

I could sell just about anything. 

And no, I'm not talking about "sell me this pen" sales skills, though I'm surprisingly good at that, too. Try me some time. 

What I mean is, my agency services could be very diverse. We could "do it all" and "sell to everyone." 

But we don't. We sell and deliver one service, to one specific type of buyer persona. That's it. 

Why so specific? Because that's all I can afford to do. If I try to appeal to everyone and promise to do anything, I'll appeal to no one and sell nothing. 

By focusing on one business problem, with one solution, and one price, my messaging resonates. Because it's consistent and strikes a chord with its intended audience. 

I know exactly what lists to build. What topics to write about. What pain points my prospects are experiencing. 

And best of all, that consistency comes with proof. A growing list of testimonials from C-Suite clients (ask about these). 

Momentum in the sales process. Every day I get better at communicating my offer, because I'm only sharpening one saw. 

Here's a lesson here for you, dear reader. How clear are you being about what you do? Are you still making the mistake of thinking that taking a "mile-wide, inch-deep" approach to marketing actually works? 

Try going an inch wide and a mile deep. Specialize. Focus. It works, trust me. It's counterintuitive and scary, but it works. 

If you've "tried marketing" and "nothing worked," have you thought about why? What have you ACTUALLY tried? 

Also PS: Yes, I tried one of those AI headshot tools. I would never use the suit pic as an actual headshot, so I'm using it as a throwaway here. It's giving me "Harvey Specter from Suits, but much older and ordered from Ali Express," with a side order of uncanny valley. Do you agree?

An AI-assisted head-shot of Jordan wearing a suit, which he very rarely does. 

LinkedIn content reach is way down, and here's my hot take: So what?  

Posts that used to get 1000s of impressions are now lucky to get a few hundred at best. Panic time? No. 

My advice for how to beat the algorithm in an era of AI slop, false promises and manufactured controversy?

Don't even try. Instead of trying to "go viral," go NICHE (pronounced "neesh," and I will die on that hill). 

The goal with LinkedIn content is to get attention or start discourse around an idea, I'll grant you that. 

But there's not much benefit to doing that with a large group of random strangers. It's good for the ego, but likely not good for the actual business outcome you were hoping for. 

Instead of creating content that you hope will appeal to the masses, create something of value for your specific ideal audience, and create it YOURSELF. 

Need an AI assist? That's fine, but the more humanity, vulnerability, and "handmade" creativity you put into it, the better. Your goal should be to make someone think or change their mind about something. 

Someone. Even just one person. Creating your LinkedIn content for an audience of one will have better long-term results than chasing likes and impressions. 

Caveat: You still have to be interesting. You can't change minds without something unique to say and by grabbing attention. But think about whose attention you want and create for them. 

If you've read this far, I invite you to roast me on the irony of using an AI-assisted headshot in this post to stop the scroll. I go to the gym 3x per week, but it's been a little generous with the shape of my biceps, I mean, really. 

Maybe a good time to remind people that an algorithm is not our enemy. We aren't trying to crack a code; we are trying to capture the attention and curiosity of a specific type of person. In that sense, using an AI-filtered selfie is not ironic at all. After all, if my hook didn't grab your attention and get you to read, you didn't even make it this far.

Jordan in front of a harbour, a headshot that was sent through an AI filter. 

In the past 24 hours I've seen no fewer than three CEOs post food pics with funny captions on their LinkedIn feed. 

You know what this means, right? That LinkedIn is becoming...

A more human networking site. Keep up the good work, everybody. 

*My first ever Shake Shack chicken burger (and yes, I said chicken burger! 🇨🇦) for attention*

My clients' content almost never goes viral on LinkedIn and neither does mine. Is it because I suck at this? 

By now you know me better than that. I'm keenly aware that I am very fucking good at this. 

And my clients are good at what they do. 

Distributed marketing (huh?). Food commercialization. EV charging network monitoring. Trust and estates automation. Cybersecurity. 

Not exactly fodder for LinkedIn virality. But the reeshes are in the niches, if you catch my meaning though my Canadian accent. 

All of those topics need a champion. And every one of those champions has a different goal. 

Yes, most of my clients are doing founder-led sales. But some have no lead generation motives whatsoever. Like the CTO who's "walking the walk" as a way to attract talent. Or the supply chain expert who needs more partners (literally looking for vendors to buy from). 

When their content gets 500 impressions and a few dozen engagements, it's not unheard of. It's the norm. And we consider it a win.

When was the last time you were in a room with 500 people? That's like three or four large weddings worth of people. That's four full breakout rooms at a conference. It's a full house at a minor league hockey game. It's nearly a sold-out show at Cirque du Soleil. 

This post is long on purpose. And hand-typed. The only use of AI was in creating that terrible image that's made me look 10 years older and is not at all like the reference image.

500 of you might see this, and I'm giving it a 50/50 shot that it's fewer than that. And I can live with that. It was made just for you, if you're one of the faithful few who made it this far. 

Keep going. This stuff works, and sometimes all you need is a bit perspective about what 'working' looks like. 

Oh and if you're looking for an AI for HR framework, or a way to automate your processes at your trust and estates firm, I know a guy.

An AI-generated, animated style image of Jordan, podcasting, that makes him look a full 10 years older than he is. 

Every year I post a version of the same joke on American Thanksgiving.

Something like: Hey Canadians, happy “get a lot of work done with fewer meetings” day to all who celebrate. 

But the joke won’t seem as clever when LinkedIn shows you this post three weeks from now 🤷🏻‍♂️

No alternative text description for this image

I replaced my entire AI workflow with 100 SDRs and now we’re generating eleventy-billion in top line revenue without a single prompt. 

If you want get a copy of the exact sequence and workflow we’re using, comment “SICK” below and I’ll DM you the playbook, and as a bonus, a real estate listing for an amazing bridge that just came on the market. 

#sickofthisshit

I yelped quite loudly, complete with an F-bomb, and my teenage kid came running downstairs to see if I was ok. 

The funny thing is, I just sharpened my chef's knife the day before, and here it was, sinking into the flesh of my thumb while I was cutting a bagel. 

I was a bit embarrassed and also a bit glad to have one of my kids show genuine, immediate concern. 

'Twas but a scratch, and I'll live. And here's what it taught me about B2B sales: 

Ok, ok, I joke. But the preceding story is true, and I share it to illustrate a point. The point is that this is a story about something that happened to ME. 

MY flesh, being incised by my own knife. My struggle to get to the Band-Aids and patch myself up. 

As good as my custom GPT is, it could not have told you this story. 

At least, not without being prompted by me, and that prompt would have had to contain details of my story. In other words, I would still have had to tell a story. 

This is what AI can't yet replace. My anecdote. My feelings in the moment. They are genuine, and my hope is that they've captured your attention, even if only for a fleeting moment while you scroll. 

As I write this, a grammar checker highlights my spelling and usage errors. I could also run this text through my various prompts to clean it up further (I won't, but I could). But the original tale was mine to tell, and I hope you agree that a machine could not have told it this well. 

Even if it could, that's not my point. My point is that there's value in sharing my first-hand experience. Even if I have an assist from AI to do so. 

My mistakes, my lessons, my insights and my questions(Holy shit that sounds like an AI wrote it but it was me, I swear). 

This is the drum that I've been beating for several years now. Telling our authentic stories, sharing our unique insights, inviting feedback and conversing as humans... this still has value, and I'm wagering my entire business on the idea that that value won't diminish. 

The bots will get better at sounding like us. They will save us plenty of time (I've been writing this for 24 minutes already). But it will be a while before they're asked to join us around the campfire. 

Consider this my invitation to you to share more of your own stories. Embrace your humanity and the everyday experiences that make you uniquely YOU. 

People will appreciate and connect with your message much more than they would with some AI slop or a message prepared by a marketing team. 

Let's agree to stay in touch with what makes us human, and use the tools for what they are: tools. 

Normally I would tie this back to my work and what I do, but my call to action for you today is much simpler: Tell more stories.

How the heck did I end up in marketing? First, I had to fail as a sportscaster. 

When I was in high school, that was the dream. 

My guidance counsellor told me I'd better get some work experience, which is how, at the tender age of 16, I was hired into a weekends-and-evenings job as a sports reporter/photographer for my local newspaper.

After two years of community college, the reality of working in broadcasting seemed daunting and competitive. 

I still ended up putting in a few years at a TV station, but just like my hockey career, there came a time when I had to accept that I wasn't gonna go pro. 

In my short-lived TV career, I transitioned from news to creative services. 

Writing and editing advertisements. I spent a year in Toronto as a production assistant for film commercials before coming to Vancouver (my "Goldilocks" city), with a goal of working in marketing. 

As a fledgling marketer, I became fascinated with "Web 2.0." The democracy of it. The fact that I could break all of the "rules" I was taught in news and be my own publisher. I knew that meant that everyone could, and I knew damn well that everyone WOULD. 

ICQ. Blogger. Twitter. MySpace. I carved out little corners of the web and met some amazing people with similar interests. I got jobs at startups, including Hootsuite, which was in hypergrowth. By that point, I was already one of the "grown-ups" in the room; my internet hobby had given me valuable work experience. 

Eventually, the siren's song of entrepreneurship lured me. I'm leaving tons of detail out of this story for brevity, but that's more or less how I became a "social media" guy who turns 50 this year. 

I've even struggled with calling myself a social media guy. I'm not a famous influencer or tv personality, but I've been in this game a long time. I've never been the leading scorer, but I make a heck of a player/coach. 

One of my superpowers is predicting how people (the vox populari) will react to an idea, a campaign, or even a single piece of content. Which is how I know this post will flop 😆 

But it makes me good at writing subject lines, or asking questions in interviews, and writing hooks for my clients (a skill I can't seem to master for myself, alas).

I write this from the cozy confines of my home office. No broadcast make-up or fancy suit required. Decades of experience in my rearview and no signs of stopping anytime soon. And I know I'm in the right spot. 

The path to get here meandered, but it was all meant to be. Professionally, nothing pleases me more than sharing my knowledge with my clients, hyping them up and seeing them thrive. 

If you want to come on this journey with me, drop me a follow or send me a DM. I'll share my knowledge and make YOU a social media powerhouse. 

If you've read this far, tell me: What was your high school dream, and did you achieve it, or pivot? 

*Pic: Me in 2013; a keynote at Hootsuite. Photo by Bob Garlick

START using these words and phrases in your content: 

*(My most popular post from the past six months is one with words I said to STOP using, so this is the antidote)

1. Rad. I don't know when it happened, but the word "rad" seems to have fallen out of fashion. Take it from a Gen-Xer, this one is underrated, and it WILL make a comeback. Be the first to start the trend. 

2. Antediluvian. The word rad is thought to be antediluvian, and I think it's anything but. Let's bring it back. (Means "old-fashioned," by the way) 

3. Cattywampus. I had to look up the spelling of this one, but it's a perfect example of a word that bots aren't likely to use, so sneak it in when you can. Plus, it's fun as hell to say. 

4. Ineffable. It's tempting to think that this one means "Not to be f*d with," but it actually means "too great to be described in words." What's a better word to use than that? 🤣 

5. Civil disobedience. I should probably write something political here, but instead I'll use it in a sentence: The engagement on my post about what words to STOP using was a form of civil disobedience. 

What am I missing? What popular words or phrases should we be using more often? (Welcome all ye copywriters and wordsmiths)

New intro video for my landing page just dropped 📽️

Thought I'd share it here too. I'll add a link to the landing page in the first comment.

I'm long on human-generated content with an AI assist. 

Need proof that human authenticity is still a differentiator? 

The biggest GenAI companies (OpenAI, Anthropic et al) are paying human content creators salaries of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Case closed.

Do you believe in manifestation?

I read Mind Magic recently, and I figure there's no harm in saying this out loud: 

Before the end of year, I want to start TWO more engagements with companies that have several executives looking for social media coaching and content production. 

(But is it even "manifesting" if I write about this publicly and then start doing human-powered outbound to find those clients? Tag a company in the comments and I'll give you the credit, not my mind or the Universe)

I bought a 3D printer, and I love it. 

Not since the Nintendo Entertainment System have I been this giddy about a piece of tech. 

My friend John Biehler was an early adopter of 3D printing, and I had SO MANY questions that, rather than keep blowing up his phone, we sat down to record a podcast so I could ask them all. 

My biggest concern: Will the novelty wear off? "I don't think so," says John.

If I was in a crisis that required a carefully planned response and communications plan, I'd call Carla S. Shore.

If you're in a jam, not only can you call Carla, but you can sign up for her crisis communications bootcamp and be ready BEFORE the unthinkable happens. 

Details in Carla's post below.

Senior communications specialist; Post-secondary instructor

Is your organization ready to communicate when a crisis hits? Because it will, and you should plan ahead. I'm giving a workshop this Thursday in Vancouver: Crisis Communication Bootcamp: Build Your Response Plan. It's by donation so incredibly affordable. 

https://lnkd.in/gdU25YKW

Method and Metric SEO Agency #crisiscommunications #publicrelations #vancouver

Open article: Crisis Communication Bootcamp: Build Your Response Plan by eventbrite.com

Crisis Communication Bootcamp: Build Your Response Plan

No one will see this post, but in case you do, a quick poll to get your opinion:

Should I rebrand to Social CXO? (I own the domain) Or is Narrate Creative still the best option? 

The author can see how you vote. Learn more

Holistic Hybrid

AI Strategist, Project Manager, and Prompt Engineer 
Author, Publisher, and Strategic Consultant
- Build 50+ GPTs for Enterprises, Academia, Brands, and Organizations
- Authored various books:
   - A Beginner's Guide to ChatGPT: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to 
      Supercharge Your Career and Life”
   - Holistic Odysseys - Creative Adventures for Inquisitive Minds Series
  - PATH Adventures 
- IA, Product Strategist, UX, AI and Generative Art Advisory
- Conceived and advised on multiple Blockchain / Web3 Projects (ETH, SOL, AVAX networks)
- Conceived and launched a wide range of projects using Web 2.0 stacks; WordPress, Ruby, and Drupal including social, educational, and networking platforms for clients such as SONY, Warner Bros, Various publishers, and the Canadian Government. 
- Updated several products' UX experiences to increase users engagement
- Coached and Trained more than 500 entrepreneurs through private and Ministry of Education training programs 
- Simplified internal processes and strategies for various organizations leading to higher ROI
- Authored countless articles and media content, driving millions of unique website visitors
- Steered the marketing and content strategy for dozens of companies and clients projects

Chief Strategist

Ceningan Divers

Co-founded the eco-friendly PADI 5 Star Dive Resort in 2015. Positioned Ceningan Divers as one of the top 3 most sustainable Dive Operations in the world (2018-2023). Won multiple awards for sustainable development, including the Best Dive Resort in 2018 and the Best Dive Operation in 2019. Established various conservation and sustainability programs. Participated as a paid speaker at various international symposiums, conferences, and industry events.

Founder

GPT Navigator Pro

Since the official release of GPTs by OpenAI, I have created more than 30 custom models for fun and clients (See the link below for our top favourites). So what is GPT Navigator Pro, an innovative extension of Holistic Hybrid, embodies a revolution in AI sophistication. With a rich heritage in tech consulting and technology adoption, I create specialized GPTs that serve as strategic partners for businesses and personal endeavours. My digital strategy expertise infuses each GPT with the capacity to transform complex challenges into opportunities for growth and efficiency.

I see a future where AI is the seamless extension of human ambition, providing personalized guidance across a multitude of domains—from strategic business planning with Professor Scales to curated cultural experiences with the Bali Business Navigator. My GPT navigators are more than tools: mentors, allies, innovators, and personal assistants.

In every GPT I design, from the immersive realms of RPG gaming to the refined tastes of wine connoisseurship, you'll find Holistic Hybrid's commitment to excellence and our shared vision for a future where every interaction with technology is an opportunity to expand horizons. Welcome to GPT Navigator Pro—where cutting-edge AI meets the wisdom of experience.

GPTs Builder and AI Consultant

Osmose formations pour entrepreneurs

• Mentored entrepreneurs in Quebec on business development, marketing, and communication skills over a 12-week curriculum.
• Provided weekly coaching sessions and adaptive coaching to help entrepreneurs achieve their goals.
• Developed and delivered classes on market analysis, scaling businesses, and setting up smart goals for success.

Teaching Faculty

Centre de services scolaire de la Pointe-de-l'Île (CSSPI)

• Mentored entrepreneurs in Quebec on business development, marketing, and communication skills to foster growth and success.
• Provided personalized coaching sessions to help entrepreneurs set and achieve strategic business goals.
• Developed and delivered engaging classes on market analysis, business scaling, and goal setting for optimal results.

Instructor and Coach

HeroMaker Studios

HEROMAKER STUDIOS was a startup led by Wizard Magazine’s and ACE Comic-Con Founder, Gareb Shamus, it’s bold goal was to empower the future of storytelling. It’s web3 ecosystem was to connects creators, fans, and collectors with a metaverse of all-new superheroes, NFTs and digital collectibles. The company ceased operations in December 2022. 

My duties included creating scoping documents, content, media, product mock-ups, generative art, coordinate and work with our cross functional team to evaluate the various needs and development phases, advise the executive team on products planning and coordinate the deployment strategies with yeh art, tech, marketing, and PR team. I engaged in community development and outreach. Speaking in spaces, working with various Web3 and industry partners to develop relationship and partnerships, bridging communication between the departments and vendors to execute the directions set by the executive team.

Director Product Strategy

Vancouver Film School

Co-produced and taught several courses for the Entertainment Business Management Program including Introduction to web technologies:
eCommerce, Digital media & Marketing, and Project Management

 Mentored multiple intakes of students and assisted graduates with career planning and internship placements.

Instructor

Raincity Studios

Co-founded the Drupal, Wordpress, and  Ruby on Rail agency in 2003. Completed the merger acquisition of Bryght, a SaaS company offering Drupal deployment solutions in 2007. Drove the company from start-up to 100+ employees working from offices in Vancouver, Shanghai, and remotely. Generated millions in sales from partnerships with SONY, Warner Bros., The McEvoy Group, and Canada's Government, amongst others.

Raincity Studios (along with its sister company Bryght) helped pioneer the Drupal Services and SaaS industry by actively contributing code, modules, and themes to the Drupal Project. The company hosted and sponsored international events (Drupal Camps, Drupal User Groups, and Drupalcon) helping to promote web 2.0 and open source technologies to a broader audience.

Won multiple awards including the Canadian New Media Award for Graduate of the Year, CBC People's Choice Awards and the Best interactive Project at the 2005 New Media Slam Awards.

Founder / CEO

🚀 Tech & Business Maverick 🌟 - Diving into the world of emerging media & cutting-edge tech. My journey spans 25+ fun-filled years, weaving through startups and Fortune 500 giants. I thrive on creating innovative strategies and leading dynamic teams to turn bold ideas into reality. Let’s explore, innovate, and grow together! 🌐💡📈

taplio

The Battle

Jordan Behan

Robert Scales

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreJordan Behan's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Jordan Behan

Robert Scales

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

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);}Jordan Behan's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreJordan Behan's LinkedIn Performance