Slow Blink builds from a place of conversation to change the way you look at storytelling.
Narrative Development
Story Anchors
Time to tell your story
Strategic communications
Thoughtful Partnership
Slow Blink combines craft, psychology, and linguistics to provide you with the tools and tips to tell your stories in the ways they deserve to be heard.
Slow Blink was built around “Story Anchors,” a narrative framework that is a participatory, heuristic approach to digital storytelling. Story Anchors make brand storytelling accessible and innovative by focusing not on the story we tell, but the ones we want others to tell for and about us. They are evergreen, audience-ready brand sentiments and messages—designed for what’s called “the brand gap”—organized into a clear set of 5-8 sentences. Story Anchors don’t just tell, but teach people your stories. If you know you need some kind of storytelling work, but aren’t sure where to begin, start by anchoring your stories to your essences and audiences.
If you’re looking for a refresh, Slow Blink’s signature “Narrative Toolkit” will give your brand materials and brands messages a functional refresh. Each toolkit is designed with and around your existing brand ecosystem, and is filled with new applications, ideas, and structures to bring your brand’s voice to life. Slow Blink’s Narrative Toolkits will help turn your stories into community-driven organic storytelling programs and presences.
If you’re looking for new ways to tell your stories, enlist Slow Blink to help build you a new storytelling series, platform, or channel. We’ve helped organizations, brands, and companies bring their community’s voice to life through accessible, innovative, and inviting series. After all, a good idea is just one conversation away.
Designed to inspire, educate, and empower, Slow Blink’s craft-based digital storytelling workshops are perfect for professional development, team building, and content strategizing. From single sessions for professional development purposes to custom series for your key stakeholders, Slow Blink’s workshops provide fundamental training on key principles of digital storytelling in today’s sociopolitical environment. If your organization is at a moment of growth or transition, consider our conversation-based workshops. They are all about intersections. Digital storytelling is, after all, a data-driven art form.
Bretty Rawson
Founder
Bretty Rawson is a writer, editor, and narrative & story consultant. For 15 years, he led digital storytelling efforts for social issue-based publications, statewide wine regions, and independent day schools. His collaborations earned his organizations national awards, media, and grants. His work and projects have been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, LitHub, Heritage Radio Network, among others, and he has collaborated with The Smithsonian Archives of American Art, Seattle City of Literature, the New York Public Library, The Sketchbook Project, and others.
Case Studies
Washington Wine
Designed Story Anchors for the state's wine region and built a narrative framework to help 1000+ licensed winemakers and 400+ grape growers tell their stories.
IBM
Helped develop IBM’s inbound content channels using classical forms of craft, and branded an internal communications tool with Story Anchors.
Seventh Wave
Crafted the brand's Story Anchors, and in advance of their 10th anniversary, built two new revenue-generating digital programs to sustain them for the next 10.
Working With Bretty
Vic Thasiah
Founder + Board President, Runners for Public Lands
“I’m finding it difficult to put into words how happy I was to get to work with you. I was so impressed by what you produced. This was a really big year for us as we pushed to scale out from our region, and you were a significant part of these dreams, plans, and efforts.”
Liz Knapke
Executive Director, Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance
“I often joke that Bretty should move about the world in bubble wrap — his intellect, humility, and creativity qualify him as a national treasure. Anyone who is lucky enough to work with him will come away with a better understanding of themselves and their purpose, he always reminds me why the work matters.”
Selena Kritsonis
Director of National Sales & Global Exports, Woodward Canyon
“After months of searching for the right person to help guide us through our brand work, Bretty came to us highly recommended and we clicked with him immediately. He is a thoughtful, socially-attuned digital storyteller that helped us define our distinct messaging for our brand’s unique place in Washington Wine.”
Tiffany Britton
President, Alliance of Women in Washington Wine
“Without you, I don’t think we would have achieved our scholarship goals or attained the bits of credibility we now have. We appreciate you more than you could ever know. Your efforts are helping us make meaningful change in our industry.”
Katie Sims
PR for Novelty-Hill Janiuk Winery
“Bretty is a careful listener and creative thinker. He used both skill sets to build a digital strategy roadmap for Novelty Hill-Januik. And the results? Magic.”
Elly Trickett
Editorial Director, Inbound & News, IBM
“We’ve got some of the best people on the job. Bretty is one of a kind, and we’re so lucky to have them at this end of so many complex publishes.”
Mark Klein
SVP, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, CommonSpirit Health
“Today, you said a compelling story should be entertaining, thought-provoking, and, if done well enough, evoke an emotional response. Your workshop did all three of those for us today.”
Senior Product Marketing Manager, IBM
SVP, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, CommonSpirit Health
“I wanted to send you a quick thank you for all your help this year. I’m still relatively new at IBM and work with a lot of people across the company, and you are hands-down one of the most positive, proactive, and easy people to work with.”
Rachel Edelman
Author, Dear Memphis
“Bretty redesigned my author website ahead of my book launch, transforming my digital presence into a home that will hold my work for years to come. The space now feels open and expansive: ready for the book I’ve already made and equipped for the work I haven’t yet imagined.”
