I’d rather tell a good story than sell someone on an idea. But can I accomplish one without the other? I toggle this line of being part-marketing guy, part-artist. It’s not easy - especially because creativity and promotion are so intrinsically linked. I’ve worked for companies that kept me awake at night thinking “all they care about is promoting their product without any regard for its integrity.” And I’ve thought, “I don’t want to tell that story.” I’ve also seen organizations become so scared to do anything that might remotely look or feel like promotion, that they sacrifice communicating a great story to an audience who could really benefit from it

sto⋅ry
1 [stawr-ee, stohr-ee] noun, plural -ries,verb, -ried, -ry⋅ing.
–noun
1.a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader; tale.2.a fictitious tale, shorter and less elaborate than a novel.3.such narratives or tales as a branch of literature: song and story.4.the plot or succession of incidents of a novel, poem, drama, etc.: The characterizations were good, but the story was weak.5.a narration of an incident or a series of events or an example of these that is or may be narrated, as an anecdote, joke, etc.6.a narration of the events in the life of a person or the existence of a thing, or such events as a subject for narration: the story of medicine; the story of his life.7.a report or account of a matter; statement or allegation: The story goes that he rejected the offer.

pro⋅mote

[pruh-moht] 
–verb (used with object), -mot⋅ed, -mot⋅ing.
1.to help or encourage to exist or flourish; further: to promote world peace.2.to advance in rank, dignity, position, etc. (opposed to demote).3.Education. to put ahead to the next higher stage or grade of a course or series of classes.4.to aid in organizing (business undertakings).5.to encourage the sales, acceptance, etc., of (a product), esp. through advertising or other publicity.6.Informal. to obtain (something) by cunning or trickery; wangle.

So my question to you is simply this: What’s the difference, in your mind, between storytelling and promotion?

At what point does a tweet, a blog, a film, an ad, etc, cease to be a story and become a billboard? At what point to you tune out or tune in to a great story? At what point are you sold on an idea?