The story about storytelling

You’re looking up at the screen knowing that your next best work is in there somewhere, and yet there are no words. Your mind goes blank and you wonder? Why am I even trying to do this? It’s not working. What can I say next . . . We’ve all been there!

Well, being part of a digital team creating and running digital campaigns allows me to have some suitable insight for you to ensure that you can take your storytelling skills to the next level. I am an avid promoter of using frameworks and structures. If you know the formula for creating stories that work, you can easily then apply this formula to any subject matter and in doing so create a plethora of new and interesting stories around your brand. So, let us dive into the deep end and get your social marketing storytelling game to the next level.

The storytelling gurus have sat down long ago and set out some guidelines which I think is rather interesting and helpful to aid us marketers in building and crafting our own unique marketing stories.

Types of Stories:

Its mainly understood, and obviously known that there are a few main story types, that we as humans can tell. Obviously, you can fit any story into these four main categories. It is a good idea for you to before you start crafting your story to first decide what story you are writing?

I’ll break it up as follows:

1# Stories about the self/me:

• My experiences what it has taught me where I’m going!
• How I overcame some dire situation (Product plug right here!)
• How I got here, what I do, how I can help you?

2# Stories of our company/product/service:

• Therefore, our brand exists
• Our history
• Who we are
• What our products/service or company does for you and so on.

3# Stories of the idea:

• This is our dream our idea how we will get there
• Let our brand open your eyes?
• Here we share how we would like to see the world

4# Why or how these results:

• We did this, and this is how you can too
• Painting a picture of tomorrow
• Vivid stories of result driven actions

You now have a basic first step in crafting your unique story. However, you are now somewhat caught in the fact that yes you can craft away. I see a blank stare and hear some anxious grunts. Yes, we have a way of framing your ideas into usable particles to include in your story… Bear with us as we go even further down the rabbit hole.

Elements of your story

When I craft a story for a business or client or our own stories I like to immerse myself in all I want to say before I just drop the goods. I, want to make sure that in all my stories I am adding value to my reader, You. I have these few questions I jot down an answer before I start working on my story:

Go through these few questions.

1.# What is the scene of your story?

2.# From what perspective?

3.# What is the challenge to overcome?

4.# Who is in your story?

5.# What conflict did you face?

6.# A dramatic hook?

7.# What is the lesson?

8.# What opportunities or possibility?

9.# What is the resolution?

Yes, you still don’t have a real story but now you should have the bulk of the information, you wish to upload to your user, you have filled out all your value bits now comes the fun part; putting it all together.

Admittedly normally when I get to this part I’ve already started seeing the entire story structure and started in my mind to already build it.

Dearest storyteller, tell us your story. Now you are thinking hold on you have all the info but how do you best craft a story. As you guessed it there are a few different ways to tell a story. The great storytellers of our time have broken up these stories into six different story archetypes.

Six basic story archetypes:

1# The coming of age story

• The story of experience what happened how it made you stronger and possibly where you will go from here.

2# Overcoming Obstacles

• The marketing story, (you have a problem, we have a fix) this story type shows resilience how to get it done how to overcome or fix. Probably a good place to drop in a product to help with overcoming the issue.

3# The evolution story

• The change and improvement scenario, showcasing your brand resilience and your products true power as it evolved

4# The truth as it stands story

• This is a story of your steadiness and resilience in a current market or being in a current state of being, either product or brand building reader trust.

5# The Rebirth story

• We always use to do it that way, something happened now we’re doing it this way the story of a new direction, opening new worlds and breaking ground. You’re putting your brand on this one!

6# the mission or quest story

• I call it the chase, whereby you have a couple of scenarios to overcome or certain tasks to do to get there it will showcase your brand’s dedication to your customer base.

Well now you are close you have all the details you are ready to draft your story you have a clear idea and you get going.

Some things to keep in mind about your story:

• Use your content to make an emotional connection with your audience
• Be consistent within the boundaries of your story
• Be authentic
• Keep the story concise

Remember there truly is no wrong or right way to tell your story that is why it’s your story! Use the notes that you created for yourself. You will now find a shape and draft your story. Read it again to make sure it makes sense and then you if you would like to read it again. Then let it go and get some feedback from your peers.

Happy storytelling!