Have you ever gone to have your hair cut and walked away feeling mentally refreshed – and looking good? I have the coolest Barber, she’s like a therapist with scissors; she’s curious about what’s going on, interested in what I’m up to and she’s always got a story to share.
It occurred to me that it’s not about me, it’s about her. I’m not fascinating, she’s fascinated – that is a very big difference. She just loves the stories and the people who tell them as they sit in her chair.
Over the past couple of years I’ve come to know her, her cool husband and kids – the fun she has in her life.
A few months ago she was particularly pleased with her work on my head and asked to post a photo to her Instagram, posed artfully by the barber pole (this is most definitely a barbershop, not a beauty parlor) and it dawned on me; she was fully booked, often two weeks out and all her new customers come through word of mouth. Her Instagram is merely a megaphone for that word of mouth.
It took a little convincing, but I got Kelly the Barber (perfectly enough her maiden name is actually Barber) so sit down and tell me her story – about the stories she hears from the men in her chair. She’s invested in us, we then are invested in her. Flattered to be photographed for her Instagram? Yes I was 🙂 Did I share it, talk about it and send yet another friend to her? Yes I did.
Story marketing works – because you have to be real, it only works if you care – take a listen to Kelly-the-Barber and let me know what stories you hear –
Kelly 'the Barber' Patterson / Barber Lane – Marin, California from Mike Wolpert on Vimeo.