Loyal.
Customers.
The most common fear business owners whisper to me is this: "I want to sell my product or service. But I don’t want to be, you know… [eyes dart left, then right] "salesy." ...more
How To
July 01, 2025•3 min read
I would do it differently. It was 2019 when I sent scores of “seeking‑new‑opportunities” emails -- my first job search in a decade. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't worry so much about the damn res... ...more
How To
July 01, 2025•4 min read
Trust isn’t something you ask for. It’s something you earn -- over time, and we know this because we asked consumers*. And this is what they told us. ...more
How To
April 17, 2025•0 min read
The most common fear business owners whisper to me is this: "I want to sell my product or service. But I don’t want to be, you know… [eyes dart left, then right] "salesy." ...more
How To
July 01, 2025•3 min read
Your authentic story proves people can trust you with their business ... if it has these 3 elements:
Your results.
Your values.
We start by defining the three essential elements of your story: your expertise, your results and your values.
Next, we form a crystal clear, concise vision of what value you create for your customers.
Then we spotlight examples of the value you have created for your customers.
Finally we share your 'why' -- the personal values that led you to provide this unique product or service.
The Discovery analysis outlines what your storylines will be based on.
In Blueprint, we craft a comprehensive content road map based on your Discovery.
This outline includes recurring storylines across text, audio, video, or images that play to your media strength and showcase your expertise.
Say your message is best suited to text -- we define the storylines and the right form for you (ie. blog posts, quizzes, emails, landing pages, social posts, white papers, e-books, how-to articles).
Then we map a custom distribution plan which defines the platforms, cadence and other recommended amplification methods.
Now we're ready to tell your brand story and offer more than two decades experience building all essential digital content forms:
Blog Posts
Short-, Long-form Videos
Social Media Content
Podcasts
Email Campaigns
Infographics
E-books
White Papers
Webinars
Interactive Content
How-To Guides
We can build it for you, train you to do it yourself, or employ a build-train hybrid.
Consistent timely publication signals professionalism and builds trust. Delivering your story to the right audience, in the right place at the right time, every time matters.
As does monitoring content analytics. Optimizing your content and its distribution based on performance is the key to accelerate growth.
We can distribute it for you, train you to do it yourself, or employ a distribute-train hybrid.
The point of building an authentic personal brand is to create deep, authentic enduring connections.
People need a simple, easy way to connect and start a relationship with your brand.
One of the most successful methods is a lead-magnet email funnel, which converts browsers into connected fans.
We handle the complete funnel development, landing page, user journey, automated messaging and data capture that builds your customer list.
One-on-one coaching sessions focused on your specific needs.
We unpack your biggest challenges and provide real-world actionable guidance on personal brand, content strategies, user engagement, as well as how to acquire, connect and grow your customer base -- plus all challenges related to those.
Your authentic story proves people can trust you with their business ... if it has these 3 elements:
Your expertise.
Your results.
Your values.
Discover
Blueprint
Build
Distribute
Connect
Our 5-step framework starts with a content blueprint built around your three story pillars; next we create your media brand content in text, image, video or audio formats; distribute it to the right people and platforms; and offer them exclusive access to your expertise.
Bright Trail founder Jim Thompson has grown digital audiences for some of America's biggest media brands including Fox Interactive, Billboard, Hollywood Reporter and Gary Vaynerchuk's personal brand.
Hope is not a strategy - going viral, becoming an influencer, waiting for paid campaigns to be profitable.
The answer is your personal media brand -- a source of trusted, valuable, personal guidance that makes people's lives better.
And it starts the day you decide to tell your authentic story."
now applied to your business.
Bright Trail founder Jim Thompson has grown digital audiences for some of America's biggest media brands including Fox Interactive, Billboard, Hollywood Reporter and Gary Vaynerchuk's personal brand.
ERGONOMIC PRODUCTS
"Jim is a true fountain of knowledge. He took the time to understand our brand and vision deeply, asking insightful questions that helped us define who we wanted to be. In just 30 minutes, he outlined a plan that was attentive to our goals and created structures that guide our content for weeks and months. He’s connected us with key people that have opened up new doors. We’re lucky to have Jim as an integral part of our journey.."
INDIVIDUAL LEARNING SPECIALIST
"I would describe Jim as a genuine coach who offers a broad skill set, keen insights, and knowledge to support any business or organization. His expertise makes the next steps clear and accessible by creating actionable processes.."
“Working with Jim at Bright Trail to create the Central Jersey Real Estate Podcast has elevated my personal brand in a way that’s 100% authentic to me -- it creates value and provides a service for current and future homeowners. It couldn’t be a better fit.”
“Jim gets it, he understood Lately's DNA from Day 1 -- then grew our LinkedIn reach (+89%), clicks (+227%), comments (+514%) ... in just 120 days, we went from playing checkers to playing Grandmaster chess."
LUXURY LIFESTYLE PUBLISHER
“Jim’s expertise and execution has been incredibly valuable to us, not the least of which has been the outstanding work on the strategy and execution of Modern Luxury’s national website and network relaunch.”
"I would describe Jim as a genuine coach who offers a broad skill set, keen insights, and knowledge to support any business or organization. His expertise makes the next steps clear and accessible by creating actionable processes.."
PLANS & PRICING
Discovery
Blueprint
Timeline @ 2 weeks
Starting at $1,100
Build
Distribute
Timeline @ 4 weeks
Starging at $2,900
Connect
Timeline @ 6 weeks
Starting at $4,600
Package
1x1 coaching
2x monthly
$700 / mo.
Package
Custom website buildout
Timeline @ 4-6 weeks
Coming Soon
Package
Complete visual identity
Timeline @ 3 weeks
Coming Soon
PLANS & PRICING
Discovery
Blueprint
Timeline @ 2 weeks
Starting at $1,100
Build
Distribute
Timeline @ 4 weeks
Starting at $2,900
Connect
Timeline @ 6 weeks
Starting at $4,600
1x1 coaching
2x monthly
$700 / mo.
Custom website buildout
Timeline @ 4-6 weeks
Coming Soon
Complete visual identity
Timeline @ 3 weeks
Coming Soon
"If you are not satisfied with any work completed, we'll make it right or issue a full refund. Your satisfaction is our priority and always 100% guaranteed."
"We stand by our work. If you're not satisfied, we'll make it right or issue a full refund, no questions asked. Your satisfaction is our priority, guaranteed."
'Pathfinder' is our monthly email newsletter that helps you build your own personal media brand.
By signing up I agree to receive email messages from Bright Trail Customer Development.
'Pathfinder' is Bright Trail's monthly email newsletter helping you build your personal media brand.
By signing up I agree to receive email messages from Bright Trail Customer Development.
Founder Jim Thompson's podcast spotlights lives of impact and the No. 1 influence that shaped their life.
Learn how to plan and launch your own marketing funnel for free.