The Importance of Having a Story
I've been travelling quite a bit lately and, as a result, finally catching up on some reading. One of the books recommended to me aeons ago is The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence, and Persuasion through the Art of Storytelling by Annette Simmons. I will be diving a little more into why I loved this book (and the lessons from it) at a later date, but what was really amazing about the timing of this is how reading it coincided with an important conversation I had with a client.
Before I start, here is some context. Number one, I wrote and shot this video BEFORE I had the conversation with my client, so this question was already on my mind*. And number two, Truly Social (my company, not my video series) generally won't embark on a mandate without laying down the groundwork - research & insights, strategy and planning - but had done so with this client because of urgency to "jump in" and the fact that the incorporation papers had just "dried" and I was eager for the business.
So after working with this client for nearly two years, I was delighted to hear him say, "We don't have a story that I see of in our communications and that is bad." Of course, this led to the conversation we had in the beginning of our relationship - that this story needed to be found - and gave me the ability to step back and deep dive into this journey.
By watching the video, you'll find out why answering the question, "What is your story?" is so crucial to your business (and personal) success. Over the next few weeks, I will be exploring the hows of finding and telling your story - whether it is for your personal self or a brand (which is decidedly more complicated).
I hope you will follow along and, please, tell me about your own story in the comments - whether it is your personal or company's story.
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* I usually don't pre-record my videos so far out, but knowing that I had 3 weeks of travel ahead of me, I wrote and recorded several videos in mid-August.
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Truly Social is a web series that you can share with your boss or client when they're not really "getting" social. It's also the name of my company - where we work with clients on helping them develop their own content series.
I've been working on this social stuff for over 18 years and I've been a participant in the social web since 1992. My videos (usually) come out every week ...with ~5 minute "lessons" on what are truly social practices (and what are NOT).
Poet/Writer
7 年I quite agree that it's good to tell stories, especially ones that can teach valuable lessons. There is this short African novel called PHANTOM OF LONELINESS, which tells the story of teenage girl from a coastal settlement who was uprooted to the City and later narrowly escaped disaster. I enjoyed it and encourage you to get your copy for on line reading, at smashwords. You will be happy you did.
Filmmaker
7 年I already 2 brand new ones I'll try some producer read them. Let's role!!!!!!!
Product Data Specialist at Golden Lighting
7 年Couldn't agree more. Having a story is important not only to the brand, but to the consumer. This is what I think truly forms the bond and gets the connection going.
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Mechanic at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
7 年She is so right, branding is so important but one needs to focus their brand on something they can live them-self in order to succeed.
Industry Communications Manager at VISIT FLORIDA
7 年Story is such an important, yet overlooked part of branding. Story is incorporated into all of a business's communications. I completely agree that a clear story needs to be created so that communications can be consistent and reflective of what the business stands for. I love that Tara has also included why people should care into the story because that is what really connects people to the brand.