Personal storytelling in its simplest form is a connection of cause and effect.
The narrative, helps us make sense of the world around us. In fact, our conversations are dominated by stories; somewhere around 65% of our conversations are made up of personal stories.
The power of personal storytelling is something so many businesses fail to realize in their marketing. When your content is shared in story form, studies show people relate better and, you’re memorable. (sounds like a good idea, right?)
Stories have the ability to spark emotions, happiness, empathy, trust, anger, etc. And, when listening to them not only are the language parts of our brain active, experiential parts of our brain come alive too. For example, stories about food activate our sensory cortex (taste, smell), motion stories activate the motor cortex – all in all, our brains are more engaged when listening to stories. This, is a good thing.
Storytelling isn’t new; companies have used advertizing to evoke emotions through storytelling for years. However, the landscape has changed, right? The digital world created new platforms and devices where we share and tell stories. In doing so, this opens up greater opportunities!
It’s time, to cut through the noise!
Personal Storytelling is the Best way to be Heard
The following, are a few ways you can ensure that you are being heard above all the noise. Because regardless of which way you want to spin it, the online world is SUPER noisy! Time to let that story out and believe us, your business WILL thank you!
Everyone has Stories
It’s the day-to-day things that you take for granted, which provide some of the best content. From your customers’ testimonies, events you’re attending, an exciting project you’re working on, or a new product or service — stories can be found everywhere.
And why will people care?
Real life examples and personal storytelling delivers characters your audience will resonate with. Meaning, these are the stories people want to hear. Start documenting the little things about your day — we use the notes app on our phones or, have running notebooks with all the ideas. Start making this a habit!
Middle, Beginning and the End
The basic principles of storytelling, right? You have a beginning, middle and end. In the beginning set up your story; who, what, when, where and why; in the middle present the conflict or pain point, followed by a solution that ends in a happy-ever-after (or, at the very least some hope, guidance, or resource)
Above all, a good story is one that creates an emotional reaction.
Make the listener/reader share the pains your customers experience, show how your product or service will make their life better, and get this across through your personal storytelling.
Keep ’em Coming Back!
Your stories need to give people a reason to come back. If you provide a service you don’t want to give away all your tricks right away, however, you want to give them enough to come back.
Consider teasers, “watch this space,” “see the sneak peak,” “like this page to find out more”.
And remember, when people come back for more they need to find more of your stories. You may have one really good customer study but unless there are others, they can start to feel untrue.
Meaningful and consistent content will give people a reason to return again and again.
And that, is GOLDEN!
Are you currently using personal storytelling in your business content? Let us know in the comments!
