July 08, 2016

The Story Of Me

Mothers and fathers around the world know that nothing delights the young child more than a story where they get to play the hero. So much so that, come bedtime, the skilful storyteller often takes a classic tale and weaves into the standard text the story of you, which for the enraptured child becomes the most powerful story of all, the story of me.

Putting A Face To A Name

Smart publishers have taken advantage of advanced printing technologies to personalise storybooks with your child's name, but now one Irish publisher is taking this a step further.

When Eoin Heverin, our featured guest on Kickstart Your Business, was reading a personalised storybook to his niece, he thought 'Wouldn't it be a great idea if the princess in this story also had little Toni Pia's head superimposed on pictures of the heroine?'. Within two years, he set up Tell My Story Book, offering even more personalised storybooks for children.

Are You Sitting Comfortably?

George warmed to the idea immediately, wondering just how far a publisher might take personalisation. For example, could other characters in the book also feature the images of grandparents, uncles etc?

I suggested that Eoin needs to work very hard in a market that's over supplied to establish Tell My Story Book as the leader in this space. He needs to tackle his brand identity in particular, which is currently quite generic and unlikely to stand out in the market and stand up to competitors.

I also suggested that he might personalise testimonials on his website in the same way as he personalises the storybook. A proud grandfather like our George is much more likely to share a testimonial when he's presented, for example, as his saintly namesake boldly slaying the dragon. Nothing advertises a technology better than the practical application of the technology itself.

What's The Story?

What do you suggest Eoin might do to get the whole world telling personalised stories to their children?

Listen back to Eoin on Kickstart Your Business and let us know what you think.

Kickstart Your Business is broadcast on The Right Hook on Newstalk every Thursday around 6.25pm and is available for playback immediately afterwards on Newstalk.com.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Guys,

Eoin here from Tellmystorybook.ie. Firstly, I would like to thank you again for giving me and my business the fantastic opportunity of appearing with you and George on Newstalk.

It was a really enjoyable experience and a pleasure meeting you both.

"Kick start your business" is a superb segment and a segment that I hope keeps featuring on our airways for many years to come. It was great to get your feedback, and its feedback that I will take on board.

Keep an eye out for us "Tellmystorybook.ie" in the future as we expand our business into the global market!

Thanks again agus slan go foil
Eoin Heverin
M.D. Tellmystorybook.ie

Unknown said...

Hi Guys,

Eoin here from Tellmystorybook.ie. Firstly, I would like to thank you again for giving me and my business the fantastic opportunity of appearing with you and George on Newstalk.

It was a really enjoyable experience and a pleasure meeting you both.

"Kick start your business" is a superb segment and a segment that I hope keeps featuring on our airways for many years to come. It was great to get your feedback, and its feedback that I will take on board.

Keep an eye out for us "Tellmystorybook.ie" in the future as we expand our business into the global market!

Thanks again agus slan go foil
Eoin Heverin
M.D. Tellmystorybook.ie

Thomas Ryan said...

Great article, have purchased a book for my niece and she loves it, it helped to get her into reading wishing all at tellmystorybook.com every success in the future

Anonymous said...

My children received the tellmystorybook.ie as gifts and were elated. They loved to see themselves in the story. The most special thing for me is the inscription as the front, the book was a gift from their Grandfather, my father. One to keep forever. Best of luck with the business.

Paul Twomey said...

This is such a great and unique idea. We received a present of one of these books at Christmas for our 3 year old and he absolutely loved it. We will definitely be ordering the next book in the series when it comes out. Best of luck with the business.

Robert Moore said...

Great idea great product, the kids love seeing themselves in the storybook looking forward to the new releases, we will be back for more!!

Unknown said...

@Thomas Ryan

Delighted that your niece loves the book and thanks for the good wishes!

Unknown said...

@Anonymous

Thanks for you lovely words :)

Unknown said...

@Paul Twomey,

Delight that your child loved the book and thanks for the kind words! :)

Unknown said...

@Robert Moore

Thanks for the kind words and delighted that you will be back for more of our books :)

Gerard Tannam said...

Thanks Eoin for the very positive feedback on the show and we too hope that Kickstart Your Business will be a feature of our weekly radio listening for many years to come.

Delighted to see all the great comments left on the post - it's clear that Tellmystorybook.ie has tapped into a real need in the market. The very best of luck with the business and I'm sure our paths will cross again.

John Leonard said...

I think this is a real fantastic innovative idea - so much so I am about to order a book for my Goddaughter, as it is her birthday soon. Will be doing the same for my niece and other young children in the family when it's their birthdays. Really good idea for children, as it brings them deeper into the book. I can just imagine my Goddaughter's face lighting up when she sees her own face in it!
Will definitely let friends know who have children and will be looking out for new books.
Best of luck with the business, it deserves to take off!

John Leonard said...

I think this is a great idea, so much so I've just ordered two books for my Goddaughter!Seeing her picture in the books will only bring her deeper and deeper into the story. Cannot wait to see her face light her when she turns the page to see herself in it.
Ideal gifts for birthdays/Christmas etc..
I wish you every success with the idea, it really deserves to take off.

Unknown said...

Thanks Gerard, and no doubt we will meet again down the road!

Unknown said...

Thanks John,

lovely words and thanks very much for the order, I'm sure she will love the books!

michelle o mahoney said...

The books are are great idea and I love nothing more than to see my nieces getting excited for their story at bed- time - they know all the words by heart now - a really great way of getting children into reading. It is a great gift idea for aunts, uncles etc - a welcome change from toys