S4 E41: A Sneak Peek Into My Signature Class, Storytellers In Action

Get the show’s transcript

[00:00:00] All right. I've never done this before, not in the one year of having this podcast, but here's the thing I've created a plan for getting your stories published in six weeks, and I'm sharing all about it. In this episode, I'm sharing how I've cracked the code to do this and how you can do it too.

[00:00:19] Welcome to the genius women podcast. I'm your host, Yulia Denisyuk, an award-winning travel photographer and writer with work in some incredible publications like National Geographic, AFAR Magazine, and more. And this year you see my name in places like Conde Nast Traveler. I'm on a mission to help other women who want to grow their trouble, storytelling, careers, go after their dreams while feeling supported, worthy, and bold. If you're ready to ditch your fear and doubts to the side, step into your brilliance and take action on your dreams. You're in the right place. Let's go. 

[00:00:57] Now my secret weapon, it's my signature class storytellers in action, because there's a lot to cover in this episode. I'm going to keep this short so we can dive right in. But here's what you can expect today. I'll be talking about what Storytellers in Action is all about. Who is it for? What does it solve for a storyteller who wants to get their stories published?

[00:01:18] What each module looks like what's inside the course. Some results from best storytellers and action students. And then I'll be talking about what this class beans, not only to me, but to some of my students as well. Now you maybe didn't know this, but. Right now it's my second favorite time of the year.

[00:01:37] New year's Eve is my very favorite time of the year because of how we celebrated back home in Russian style. But right now is my second favorite time of the year, because starting this year, it's stories are as an action sneak peaks. That means that if you've been thinking about how to get your travel stories published, you can get access to the very first module inside my signature class for free you have from right now.

[00:02:05] And so 11:59 PM. Eastern time on Wednesday, November 24th, 2021. Okay. I love this first module so much because it walks you through the foundation. You need to get this career started. You'll have all the guidance you need to get this foundation set in stone in this module. And it's yours for free until the end of the day on Wednesday, November 24th, 2021.

[00:02:31] So. Hurry go to geniuswomxn.co/sneakpeek. That's geniuswomxn.co/sneakpeek. To access module. One of my storytellers and action class for free. I'm talking the videos, the worksheets, the whole thing, yours for free. Be sure to start working through it right away. So you can actually build the foundation you need for a successful stories on career.

[00:02:56] It's very eye opening and it will give you so much. 

[00:02:59] All right. Let's talk about stories are as an action first. I want to make sure we're super clear on exactly what this clause is and trust me when I say I've searched high and low, and I strongly feel that this class is the most comprehensive program for creating a plan.

[00:03:17] For you to pitch and get your travel stories published. And it not only shows you what it takes to succeed in this career. I literally walk you through my exact systems that I've used and perfected over the last five years of being on this path, but it also shows you exactly how to pitch publications and what else you need to do to have your stories published and to have your voice out there in the world.

[00:03:41] It's really the complete package put into six modules that span over the course of six weeks. And by the end of those modules, you walk away with the foundation to your whole story. So in career is solid boost in your confidence and mastery of fishing scale is a deep knowledge of how the travel media industry works and the plants are pitch follow up and keep the momentum.

[00:04:04] Above all stories are as an action. We'll give you the confidence to find them and get your ideas from inside your head and out into the world and make the leap from always dreaming about this career path to actually doing it. Taking action is what storytellers and action is all about. So that's it in a nutshell, and I'm going to break it down into what those six modules are in the.

[00:04:27] But before we go there, I want to drill down on exactly who this class is. While I believe that any stories are, can truly get their stories published with the practices I teach in storytellers and action. Of course, I do have an ideal community in mind. I believe that while my ideal storytellers and action customer is a good representation of who this class has made for that doesn't mean that they speak on behalf of.

[00:04:53] My entire community, they represent the most common needs, desires, fears, and challenges of our students, but in no way, do they represent the diversity of the life experiences that make someone a good fit for this class stories are, is an action is best for someone who has a lot of story ideas, but just hasn't been able to actually sit down and start reaching out with those ideas, to the publications of their.

[00:05:18] So the student that I have in mind for a storyteller is an action has big dreams about making travel and storytelling and bigger part of their life. They also have at least a small amount of income to invest into this professional training because they know it will pay off when they're out there in the world, going on assignments and selling stories as part of their job.

[00:05:40] They also recognize that developing a skill of storytelling in the travel media space is a highly valuable skill in today's world. Like they see how career building and incredibly valuable getting stories published consistently could be for their career. They know that getting the stories published is key.

[00:05:58] If they want to continue on this. And they're also patients. They know that investing their time, money, and energy into creating a solid plan that will pay off over many, many years to come sure. That loss to see their stories out there tomorrow, but they know it's going to take time. What's most important to my ideal community who purchases, storytellers, and action is that they want to see their effort and energy pay off.

[00:06:23] And I totally respect that. They can ideally invest once two hours a week building their pitching strategy and plan. And they're not going to quit the first time something doesn't go according to plan, because we know not everything works out perfectly every single time. And they're also deeply motivated by all the creative opportunities available to them.

[00:06:43] Once their pitching plan is built, they're motivated by the freedom that creating travel stories will for them. And they're excited to finally be able to work on their creative dreams and aspirations instead of always putting it off or thinking you're not deserving or thinking it's too late, or you already missed your shot.

[00:07:00] When you have the confidence and the skills to actually pitch and create your stories that you can use over and over and over again, as you progress through your career, you look at the big picture and know that no matter what happens, you get to keep the skill with you for a while. And above all a storyteller as an action student is ready to ditch their internal fear and doubt and stop blaming external obstacles for why they're not where they wants to be, where their dream they're finally ready to change the narrative and try something new.

[00:07:29] And they're ready to get out of the loss and confused mode and start operating from a place of vision. And. 

[00:07:37] All right next stop. Let's talk about how storytellers in action has supported our students already and what is actually solved for them as they started to pitch their stories and work with publications, everything from how to actually develop a winning pitch.

[00:07:52] So strategies for keeping track of all your pitches stories are, is an action covers. So for starters, I talked to a lot of students who have questions, like how they could possibly start pitching uh, let alone publish their stories when they've never done anything like that before. And they asked me questions like, well, what if I'm not good enough?

[00:08:12] Or what if it's too late for me? So the class literally starts out by walking you through the process of building your very own vision of this career path and understanding how to market, what you bring to the table. That's really, really important. This includes things like getting crystal clear on what your dream creative vision is, why you want to tell these stories.

[00:08:34] And how you're going to start making decisions for yourself that are grounded in that dream vision. That's a big one that I get asked a lot. Do I have what it takes? Well, my friends, you do have what it takes and inside the class, we help you see that too. And also we help you realize how you're going to start making those decisions from now on that take you one step closer to that creative.

[00:08:58] So that's where we start. Now, once you walk through these one at a time in our class, you will be set up for some serious confidence boosting because you see how you absolutely can start pitching your stories, even if you're early in your career. Plus at this point, you'll learn how everything absolutely everything you go through in life has given you the mandate to do this job.

[00:09:20] And that's a super important realization. Everything else starts to fall into place, and you will always have the tools to get back to that feeling of confidence and boldness. If you feel like you need to. In fact, one of my students has said that the most valuable stories are as an action lesson for her was getting confidence in herself and learning the houses of writing a pitch.

[00:09:41] Since starting the class, she says, I have been able to send four pitches and counting and gain the confidence to keep going. Having a knowledgeable coach and cheerleader like Yulia has been monumental for me. I have learned how to research magazines, editors and submit pitches, tailor to each publication, changing my perspective from a mindset of scarcity and why me has completely flipped how I view this path.

[00:10:06] I love the way Yulia shares, what is realistic about this career, but also gives a path and a way forward. This class has been a huge game changer for me in pursuing getting published. And more importantly, it has helped how I view the world and myself in it. All my goodness, hearing my students say things like that.

[00:10:24] I'm so happy because that's exactly what I wanted to do in this class. I wanted to teach you what to do, how to do it when to do it. And perhaps more importantly, why you want to do it. And I never want your lack of knowledge or prior experience in this field to be an excuse for not seeing your stories published.

[00:10:43] That's why I really, really make an effort in the class to walk you through the whole process from beginning to end. Now the possibility of getting a rejection is another common hurdle that most stories are struggled with. After all, we're putting ourselves out there sharing our ideas with the world and seeing how the world reacts.

[00:11:02] That can be scary. Right. Stories are as an action students, however, are much better equipped to deal with it. And here's why our class provides students with a practice for dealing with rejections that will help you keep moving forward. Even if you get a note for your pitch. And as another one of my students has said, the lesson that has resonated with her the most is about failing joyfully and finding ways to celebrate rejection.

[00:11:28] She now feels like this is such a healthy way of looking at it and she already feels stronger and more resilient for it. So we definitely teach you how to deal with rejections. And that skill will be useful to you far, far beyond the travel media. Now being able to fund your trips is another big one for my students.

[00:11:48] So that's why there's an entire bonus workshop dedicated to just that, even if you've never been able to navigate that successfully before in this module, I teach you the three primary methods for paying for your travel is so that you don't let lack of finances holding you back from pursuing this career path.

[00:12:06] It's all in this bonus module inside of storytellers. 

[00:12:10] Time commitment is also something that our class is extremely mindful of. A lot of our students have several side hustles that they want to turn into a full-time gig. A lot of my students are still in their nine to five jobs. A lot of my students haven't been making money with their storytelling careers yet.

[00:12:26] Many first-time storytellers. And then some people who actually have pitched publications in the past, but just want my step-by-step on how to pitch consistently and how to create that dream travel storytelling life you create for yourself. So there's people of all kinds of different journeys going through stories, hours and actions.

[00:12:45] And many of them have very demanding schedules and lives. So we take that into account. And while we do recommend that you go through the class in the span of six weeks with two live calls, in which I answer all of your questions that are coming up for you, as you work through the material, students actually get lifetime access to all the core content so that they can go through it at their own pace on their own time, over and over again, if they want.

[00:13:11] And there's even a bonus workshop I created that shows you how to widen your work week. When you understand when your time goals, all of the videos and content in the class are yours. So if you want to watch them three times or seven times or one time, They're yours to keep. And if you dry their multitask, as you go through the content that's available too, we actually provide a private podcast to go along with the class.

[00:13:36] So you can listen to it while you're out and about walking your dog, exercising or cooking dinner, you don't even have to stick to your laptop and watch the videos you can consume the entire. in an audio feed. So you are able to multitask as you're learning this material. I also offer accountability pods, so my students can create a community of like-minded people who can track and keep them on track and support them as they move through any challenges or mindset hurdles that might come.

[00:14:07] Which they absolutely will. So I love to see my students and accountability pods will help you get into one. We'll help you choose one. We have you covered. Okay. Switching gears just a bit. I want to take some time to walk you through the modules that are found inside stories, hours, an action, and why they're an important part of the process of taking action on your dreams and sending your pictures.

[00:14:31] As I mentioned earlier, module one is all about getting clear on your dream creative vision, which will be what drives everything else. You do, the publications, you reach out to the types of stories you want to do. And most importantly, the work you want to create for your. So important and don't forget, you can get into module one.

[00:14:51] Like right now we're doing a free sneak peak. You can experience the entire module one for free. Right now. Go to geniuswomxn.co/sneakpeek. Go take advantage of it. You don't have a lot of time, but go take advantage of it. Now you get the whole first module for free, just to see if you like how I teach, if you like how I've laid out the class and feel that you're going to be supported through the whole experience.

[00:15:16] Okay. So go check it out. Now, one more thing about modular. Inside. I created a fierce and poetry exercise because one of the biggest obstacles to getting your stories out is having all of the fears we all have when we get vulnerable and wants to do something special with our lives. And most people get stuck right here.

[00:15:36] Overwhelmed and worried and feeling like they just can't figure out how to get started or that they really don't have what it takes. I have worked with stories. I was like you for a while now. And remember I was there two, five years ago when, when I was getting started in this career, I know what's going to stop you in your tracks and I know what will get you through.

[00:15:57] And where to support you so that you can keep moving forward. So usually it's this feeling of all of these fears that held back my students from actually moving forward and get to pitching their stories. My powerful fears and poetry practice is the key to feeling braver and bolder than ever before. So you can actually pursue your dream and don't worry.

[00:16:17] I show you exactly how to get to in module one, which is the sneak beak for free that you can get right through. 

[00:16:24] Okay. Module two is all about knowing your worth. Believe it or not, knowing your worth is an important secret weapon in creating a lasting Storytime in Korea. Which is why in this module, you'll take actionable steps towards doing just that.

[00:16:39] I give you a step-by-step guidance on how to market, what you bring to the table, identify publications you want to work with and choose one publication. You'll send your pitch to, we also dive into the finances side of the equation inside of this module, which allows you to understand the whole mechanics of how this.

[00:16:58] All right. Module three is where I walk you through the process of building your story. And if you love a step-by-step guide, this module is for you. I bring you through the idea creation method and share with you my personal practice called the ideas journal for keeping track of your ideas and making sure.

[00:17:17] Always have a wealth of them to choose from. Then you can pitch the publications. Plus it's a lot of fun actually, by the end of this module, you'll have the idea you will use for your pitching challenge that happens in module three. I'll teach you how to keep coming up with ideas. So you always have stories to.

[00:17:34] Next up module four and another. Step-by-step imagine that. Are you seeing a trend here? That's how this entire class is. I walk you through the exact steps. You need to take one by one. All right. So module four is all about writing your best pitch. At this point, you've done so much. Legwork already. You've laid out your dream creative vision.

[00:17:57] You've identified the publications you want to work with and stories you want to tell. And because of that, creating your pitch is so much easier. Once you have these foundational pieces in place, then you can easily talk about the stories you want to tell in your pitch. See how that comes together. Now, if you've listened to our past episodes, you know, how important your pitch is, and that's why I devote an entire module to making sure you perfect yours and module four is a big part of that.

[00:18:25] I give you the exact pitch blueprint I successfully using my pitches. In fact, it's the exact bitch. I used to reach out to national geographic and get my Mongolia story except. 

[00:18:37] Module five. Okay. This is my favorite module. I do have a favorite and it's module five. It's all about the unsexy process side of being a freelancing store it's hour.

[00:18:48] And honestly, I'm a process geek. I truly believe that long-term success and transformation are only possible when you apply the things you've learned consistently over time. If you expect quick results, I'm sorry to tell you that this class is not for you. It's going to take time to build this career, but if you follow what I've laid out in our stories are as an action class, I have no doubt, absolutely zero doubt that you will see the results that so many of our students are seeing already from being published in places like time magazine and Matador network.

[00:19:21] So developing confidence to go after really bold dreams. I'm so proud of our students and they all followed the process. I teach in module five to ensure that they see the results they want. After going through this module, you have the habits and practices. You need to keep you moving forward and gaining momentum.

[00:19:40] You also send your pitch to the publication. You've identified back in module two. 

[00:19:45] And last, but certainly not least module six is all about keeping the momentum. That means we talk about setting expectations for the road ahead, tapping into resources. Believe it or not. There are many resources in this bath and discussing a way to get ongoing support after the class is over.

[00:20:03] I give you all my tips and tricks for longterm success on this path and the best part. It's something that all of you have access to. Right. You don't have to be well-connected in the industry or have prior success or knowledge to succeed here. I didn't. And I made this path a reality for myself, which means you can as well.

[00:20:23] And we'll talk about it in module. Okay. So that was a lot to cover, but it doesn't stop here. On top of those modules. We also include three bonus workshops on boosting confidence, gaining more time in your week and funding your trips as well as the actual pitch template I continue to use in my own career.

[00:20:42] But you also get that entire library of content that I mentioned before, both in the video. And an audio format, so you can choose how you go through material. Now. What's cool is that you also get lifetime access to our online community, where our past students have asked their questions and shared their wins and first fishing successes, it's waiting for you, right?

[00:21:05] If it allows you to ease in the search for any questions you have, whether they be on pitching or getting rejected, or which publication is the most suitable for your story, the list goes on that community and that support are available for you. Now by now, you might be thinking, okay, Yulia, this sounds pretty cool.

[00:21:23] But what kind of results do students get after going through your class? And that's a great question. I just want to say that while every effort has been made to accurately represent storytellers in action and the value it provides, the results I'm going to share are non-guaranteed right. Nothing in life is 100% guaranteed.

[00:21:44] When I present the publishing results of our students, please know that I'm showcasing results that are aren't a hundred percent guaranteed and your results will be determined by a number of factors specific to your own situation, such as your story, ideas and level. Probably most importantly, level of effort and consistency you put into pitching and following up now with that being said, I know the opportunity that this class can provide, and I want that opportunity for anyone who enrolls in stores hours and action.

[00:22:14] So here, if you read. From the class that our students have already shared first op Hannah Foster role, who wants thoughts that putting herself out there in front of publications and editors was a terrifying, no go fast-forward to today. And Hannah has been published in Matador network, Pilgrim magazine, time magazine, and more.

[00:22:37] And she's well, on the way of establishing herself as the powerhouse in this industry who had this to say. Storytellers and action came along just when I needed it most, without that opportunity and that community, I would have never given breasts to this dream because I believe that to be beyond my reach, I would never have started pitching pursuing call-outs or getting published.

[00:22:59] I would never have led these possibilities in, but being a genie taught me to be braver and bolder than I ever thought possible. I'm so proud of you, Hannah. And then another student I just love to talk about is Vanessa Doosan, who is a professional photographer and instructor based in Canada. She said after taking the stories out as an action class, my very first pitch was to Nat geo kids magazine.

[00:23:23] So they, I saw a reply sent by the editor, thanking me for following up, and she likes the idea. She just needs a good photo. So I replied with the links to my gallery. I'm beyond excited. I hope it works out, but regardless, it feels great to know that what I learned in this class works and I'm so grateful to Yulia for being so encouraging and supportive.

[00:23:45] And lastly, meet Ashley Brooks who used our class as a springboard to get her essay published in Huffington post. I just love these stories and I have more, but the beautiful thing about storytellers in action is that it's full of students of all walks of life, locations, backgrounds, and fields, what unites them, always their love for travel and stories, and for wanting to see their stories out there in the world.

[00:24:09] And I truly believe that all of us have a voice that deserves to be heard. And with our class I'm helping you to do just that. All right. Now let's take a little moment to talk about what stories are as an action means to me and why I created this class. I created it because I know the feeling of wanting to see your stories in the world, but having no idea where it's at.

[00:24:32] I was once there myself, five years ago, I knew I wanted to be a travel photographer and writer, and I sold that. It was possible for me. I went for it. I failed more times than I can call it, but I went ahead and figured it out so I could show you exactly. What's possible for you. And here's the thing. You don't have to stay where you are right now.

[00:24:52] Sure. You might be there temporarily, but I see bigger things for you. You don't have to stay limited, but what you believe you can or can't do, you don't have to keep wondering what, if you don't have to keep stalling on this dream of yours that you've had for such a long time, you are smart enough and determined enough and worthy of building a creative career that allows you, whatever kind of freedom you desire in your life.

[00:25:16] I created a story that was an action to be that support for you to be that solution, to get you from your temporary place where you are right now. So accomplishing your big, bold creative dreams. It's your plan to kickstart your storytelling. When I was working in corporate, I knew that something different was out there for me.

[00:25:35] I knew that I wanted to travel and sell stories about the world. This was the fire that was burning so hot in my chest. And at some point I took a plunge and I went for it and all my trials and that ends and things that didn't work and did work all that knowledge, all that experience I gathered in the past five years of being on this path.

[00:25:56] That is what has become storytellers and action storytellers. And action is me saying to all my potential students and all my current students, you can be a creative storyteller in the travel media space. You don't have to know the right people or have connections or have experienced to get into this field.

[00:26:15] You can start pitching your stories without all that and do the things you've always wanted to do with your. Becoming a published travel photographer and writer it literally changed my life. If I didn't start pitching my stories, the first year of leaving my corporate job to where I am today, I would not have this amazing lifestyle I have today where I'm traveling on assignments to places like California or Austria or Rwanda.

[00:26:39] And I've shared with you the behind the scenes episodes of those societies. I wouldn't have met incredible people all over the world. Both the people I tell stories about and also the amazing students that I've helped to create and send out their first pitches. And I also wouldn't have the sense that I'm absolutely living the creative life that I've always wanted to live.

[00:27:01] And I think really that's what my class can do for you as well. So at the end of the day, storytellers and action is a class that supports stories hours in creating a life for themselves that they absolutely love. It's me saying, I believe in you and let me believe in you, especially on the days when it may be so difficult to believe in yourself.

[00:27:22] That's what starts out as an action is all about empowering yourself as a storyteller to go for that life that you dream of and desire. So there you have it. I wanted to spend a little time letting you know why I created stories. I was an action. What this class can do for you. And what's included inside it.

[00:27:40] Stories though, is an action is transformative. I've seen it time and time again with my students. And I know the power of what I teach in this. 

[00:27:48] I hope you enjoyed this little insider's view into our class, and if you want more and so actually start gaining some clarity and momentum towards creating and sending out your first pitches.

[00:28:00] Go take advantage of the free module one that's available to you right now. So go to geniuswomxn.co/sneakpeek. So sign up that's geniuswomxn.co/sneakpeek. And you can find the link to this page in the show notes as well. Thank you so much for listening and for joining me today. And I'll see you next week for a very special conversation.

[00:28:25] That's going to celebrate the one year anniversary of our podcasts. See you soon.