What do great marketers have in common with great improv comedians? They both know how to listen to their audiences and adapt their messaging accordingly. As a former improv actor/comedian turned Director of Product Marketing at ValidMind, Kevin Allen knows a thing or two about where these worlds intersect.
In this episode, Kevin Allen opens up about his background and early career in journalism (particularly during the transformative years of the newspaper industry), shares his insights into how technology is reshaping storytelling, and details how listening to your audience and understanding their sense of humor is a skill that never goes out of style.
We also chat about his improv background, and how it has informed his work day-to-day - helping him handle tension and spark creativity. He emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for play and experimentation, and even shares his favorite improv exercise!
Check out the episode and learn all about Kevin’s journey from scrappy gigwork to founding an AI startup!
Takeaways
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Technology has had a profound impact on storytelling, with the rise of social media and mobile devices changing the way stories are consumed.
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Listening is essential in both improv and marketing, as it allows for better understanding of the audience and their pain points.
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Understanding the audience and their needs is crucial in product marketing, and humor can be a powerful tool to connect with them.
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Creating a safe space for play and experimentation can lead to greater innovation and collaboration.