Self Marketing 101 - Why Students Should Tell Lies

Everybody lies, and storytellers are some of the best liars around. But here is the problem: People like storytellers. They hate liars. The meaning is similar but different. In the South, storytellers sit on porch swings and drink ice tea. Liars stare down the barrel of shotguns.

I should know. I'm from the South and we shoot liars all the time. Of course, I'm lying. But I can't help it. After all, I am a "Southern" storyteller. I emphasis the adjective because I believe Southerners tell stories for reasons that are not always apparent to our friends in other parts of the United States. Our stories are more than entertainment. They teach lessons and those lessons are always filled with wisdom that is inspirational.

For example, everybody knows the old saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." I bet what people don't know is that it comes from the South. Of course, people in the Midwest will swear it's theirs. They're lying. If they just happen to be telling the truth, then it doesn't really matter because I'll still say it's ours. In fact, we have been using that saying for so long that strong personal philosophies have grown up around it. One man says, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks, but you can teach old tricks to a new dog." Then the man sitting next to him will say, "What dogs won't learn, cats will." These two men could sit on the porch and twist and turn one simple idea a million different ways-and I'm not lying.

This story illustrates a more complex idea that I want to make about the relationship between storytelling and students. In his book "All Marketers are Liars," Seth Godin claims that marketing is about telling a good story. Successful marketers tell us stories that match our belief systems and these stories directly influence our behavior. I understand Godin's points. What I fail to understand is why students don't appropriate this behavior when it comes to marketing themselves to themselves. It seems to me to be the most important skill students can develop and exploit. But they don't. Students are malcontent and maladjusted because storytelling has been outsourced to actors, singers, reporters, politicians, and marketers who are not always heavily invested in telling them the truth. These people influence the stories students tell themselves. This influence is why students have stopped telling themselves stories to celebrate their differences. It is more acceptable to be like others. Students have stopped telling themselves stories for inspiration. Religious leaders and talk show hosts fill this gap. Storytelling is in the hands of the folks in New York and Hollywood and they are not giving it back without a fight.

My advice to students is simple. Prepare to fight. Southerners are always up for a brawl. After all, we did lose the war. But we learned some lessons that no other region in the United States has ever had to learn. We learned to love ourselves. We learned that storytelling is transformative. It uplifts. It heals. And if we lack influence, wealth, beauty, and fame (qualities all students covet), we always own a more powerful tool. That tool is storytelling and stories are what it manifests. Now, that's the truth.

J.K. Dennis is the author of "9 Lessons for a Meaningful Life." To learn more about the book, visit http://www.atlasbooks.com/3hp/index.html#titles. Questions and comments can be sent to 9lessons@3hp.us.

---

Distance Education is Now Training the Next Genertation of Medical Assistants

Some people are calling it distance-free learning for the Medical... Read More

Who Can Apply For Online Nursing Degrees?

Online nursing degrees are college degrees in the field of... Read More

Packing for College

Sending a child away for college and helping them pack... Read More

Distance Learning: Balancing Your Education and Busy Lifestyle

Distance Learning is a priority for most who have already... Read More

Higher Education as Service Trade Exporter In South Africa

IntroductionWhilst it is recognized that South Africa is still in... Read More

Government Research Procurement Fails to Bring Efficient Bidders

Many have complained of the Government's procurement process for research... Read More

CRI Releases Its 2003-2004 College Graduate Survey

Upper Saddle River, N.J. - May 2004 - Compensation Resources,... Read More

5 Leading Online Schools

The internet has revolutionized many parts of our economy. You... Read More

Internetworking and Security Multiple Choice Test

Personally, I dislike Multiple Choice Tests. Because they do not... Read More

Online Degree Program and Online Degree Programs

Online degree program is a good choice for busy individual's... Read More

Outstanding Business Professors at WVU, Part 2

Stratford Douglas enrolled at the University of North Carolina in... Read More

Whats behind the Explosive Growth in Distance Learning?

There is a ground swell of support globally to support... Read More

The Challenges College Students Face on Secular Campuses

What is happening on the campuses of secular universities across... Read More

Federal PLUS Loans

As a student entering college, it is very unlikely that... Read More

Choose the Delivery Mode for your e-Learning Course

There are so many ways to deliver instruction online that... Read More

Is Pursuing A Degree Online Really For You? Who Should And Who Should Not?

Stanford University's Online Lessons Learned Stanford University's Center for... Read More

Most Colleges Require Letters Of Recommendation

I cannot overemphasize the importance of developing strong relationships with... Read More

Principalship: Leading Change in Schools

The L.E.A.D.E.R. WayINTRODUCTIONIn June 1997,the Prime Minister of Singapore unveiled... Read More

Secrets Of Successfully Sitting Exams

Many people work hard studying various subjects to sit for... Read More

Why Students Turn To Custom Writing Services

Plagiarism has been condemned lately by all types of experts,... Read More

How to Find Money for College Education

Many current and future college students need help to pay... Read More

Pre-Bachelor

The program should be one term, two terms or three... Read More

What Are Online Masters Degrees?

Online masters degrees are higher education college degrees that are... Read More

Online Education Has The Power To Transform Lives And Fulfill Dreams

Online education is a dramatic development in the advancement of... Read More

Reducing the Administrative Burden for Further Education Colleges

The introduction of the Government's Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in... Read More

College Without A High School Diploma - Possible?

Don't give up your dream of enrolling in an online... Read More

Oxford Student Convicted of Child Pornography Offenses

An Oxford student has been convicted of downloading child pornography... Read More

Online Education and Digital Divide

Digital Education is really coming along thanks to the US... Read More

Internship Opportunities at Levine Communications

ENTERTAINMENT & PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE NOW! "As we celebrate... Read More

Dont Graduate - What Students Should Know About College, But No One Ever Tells Them

For all the students even dreaming about going to college,... Read More

What to Look for When Choosing an Online Degree Program

Choosing an online education program should be exciting and fun.... Read More

How To Improve Your Study Habits and Remember Better

If you're a student attending classes, you have probably experienced... Read More

Need Help Paying Back Student Loans?

Many college students and graduates are looking for a solution... Read More