Last month, I went to experience The Moth in Chicago. It is a live storytelling event and podcast launched in 1997 in Georgia and is now worldwide. That night, the venue was packed! We all gathered there to listen to stories, and some people put their names in the hat for a chance to tell their own.
I watched and listened as ten brave people told their stories to a curious and engaged crowd. A few stories stood out because they confronted some light-hearted and challenging topics we can relate to. The storytellers opened up about their experiences of navigating aging parents and changing family dynamics to falling in and out of love and shared when things go right in life and when they start to fall apart.
Interestingly, more audiences gather in venues to watch sports, live music, and even attend conferences, but our relationship with stories likely predates all those other events. Storytelling is believed to have been an integral part of human culture since the dawn of civilization, even before written language. We can only imagine the types of cave paintings and stories shared around the campfires many years ago. But why?
Why are stories still important?
- Engagement
- Connection
- Memorability
- Clarity
- Action
We use the power of stories in our day-to-day lives, whether we know it or not. But if we take a more active approach, we can use stories to inspire meaningful engagement with the audiences we want to reach.
How can storytelling help you reach your audience?
Engagement: Stories are inherently engaging and capture people’s attention. They draw the audience in, making them more receptive to your message.
Connection: Stories create an emotional connection between the brand and the audience. You can foster empathy and relatability by framing your brand message within a narrative.
Memorability: Stories are more memorable than facts or data alone. Presenting information as a story makes it easier for people to remember and recall later on.
Clarity: Stories provide clarity by simplifying complex ideas and concepts. They help to communicate your brand message in a clear and compelling manner, making it easier for your audience to understand and internalize.
Inspiration to Action: Stories have the power to inspire action. By telling a compelling story that resonates with your audience’s desires and aspirations, you can motivate them to take the desired action, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a service, or supporting a cause.
Today is World Storytelling Day! Would you know where to start if you were asked to tell a story about your brand? If you want a story to tell today or anytime, here are some ways to start.
3 Story Ideas
1) What accomplishments are you most proud of?
We all have challenges, and by sharing what you overcome as a business and or personally, you can foster connection and memorability and inspire others to continue to overcome.
2) What is something you are working on right now?
Share behind-the-scenes content showcasing the process of developing and implementing your work. Use this opportunity to inspire engagement by inviting your audience to follow your journey, ask for feedback, and participate in related polls or discussions.
3) What do you want people to know that they can’t Google about you or your brand?
This provides space to be authentic and use clarity to make it easier for people to understand and connect with the brand on a deeper level. You can share your why or parts of your origin story and highlight what makes your brand stand out while giving your audience an invitation or call to action to make direct contact.
If you would like help crafting your story or to work on marketing strategy, attend one of our free brainstorm sessions to have face-to-face time with an expert on our Stratos team. Happy Storytelling!
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