WHY I HATE STORYTELLING AS A CONTENT CREATOR.
Echez O'Ford
I am a volunteer by day, a copywriter by night. I help businesses and brands get the attention they deserve through copywriting.
A simple search on linkedin will reveal to you that a lot of content creators here pride themselves in their abilities to be storytellers.
The snip below shows 1.6 million results of people with the keyword story on their profile
They use stories to drive home their point and move their audience and readers to action.
Don't mind the caption of this article, I like stories when used properly. I use them too.
But there is reason to hate stories, as the experience below will show.
Meet Samuel, the storyteller
Samuel is known as a storyteller in a quaint little town, he had a way with words, captivating his audience with his vivid tales and imaginative narratives.
People from far and wide would gather around him, eager to hear his stories, and Samuel would oblige, entertaining them with his vivid imagination.
But this would not always be the case
One sunny afternoon, as Samuel was strolling through the town square, he noticed a small child sitting alone on a bench.
The child had a thoughtful expression on his face, and something about him caught Samuel's attention.
Curiosity got the better of him, and Samuel approached the child.
"Hello there, young one," Samuel greeted him with a warm smile. "My name is Samuel, the storyteller. What is your name?"
The child looked up, revealing bright, intelligent eyes, and replied, "I'm Favor. Nice to meet you, Samuel."
Intrigued by the child's intelligence, Samuel couldn't help but strike up a conversation.
"Favor, my young friend, do you enjoy stories? I have a plethora of tales to share. Would you like to hear one?"
Favor nodded, his eyes shining with excitement.
Samuel cleared his throat and began to weave a story about a magical forest filled with mystical creatures and enchanted adventures.
As Samuel spoke, he watched Favor's face light up, his imagination taking flight.
Once the story concluded, Samuel expected the usual applause and admiration. Yet Favor looked thoughtful, his brow furrowed with a hint of curiosity.
Time for Questions by favor
"Samuel, that was an incredible story, but I have a question," Favor said.
Favor's inquisitiveness took a backseat but intrigued Samuel.
"Of course, Favor, ask anyway. I'll do my best to provide an answer."
Favor's voice was steady as he asked,
"You mentioned magical creatures in the forest, but what do they eat? How do they survive without human intervention? And if they can survive without us, do they even need us at all?"
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The Perplexing Moments For Samuel:
Samuel was speechless. He had never given much thought to the intricacies of the worlds he created. The questions Favor posed were thought-provoking, and Samuel realized that he didn't have easy answers.
"I suppose magical creatures in the story survive by feeding on the energy of nature itself," Samuel replied, trying to explain.
"And as for needing humans, well, they don't rely on us, but they enjoy our company and cherish our stories."
The Questions Kept Coming:
Favor nodded, his expression still filled with curiosity. "But Samuel, if they don't need us, why do they enjoy our company? What is it about stories that captivate them?"
Samuel found himself at a loss for words. He had always assumed that stories were loved, but Favor's insightful questions made him realize that there was much more to them.
With a smile, Samuel admitted,
"Favor, you have stumped me with your questions. I don't have all the answers, but stories have a way of touching our hearts, connecting us, and allowing us to explore the depths of our imagination.
"The creatures in my stories find solace and inspiration in the worlds we create together."
Favor's eyes sparkled with understanding, and he responded, "Thank you, Samuel.
Your stories are enchanting, even if some questions are difficult to answer. I appreciate your willingness to share them with me."
Samuel felt a mixture of embarrassment and admiration for the young intellect sitting before him.
Samuel realized that he had been humbled by Favor's curiosity and insightful questions.
From that day forward, Samuel became more thoughtful in his storytelling, always considering the nuances and complexities of the worlds he created.
THE LESSON FOR YOU AS A CONTENT CREATOR USING STORIES:
MORE LESSONS:
More lessons lie in understanding that stories have the power to evoke emotions, ignite imaginations, and even prompt deeper thinking and actions.
As a content creator, you should embrace the fact that your narratives can have an impact beyond surface-level enjoyment.
Be open to exploring the complexities of your own stories and be willing to address the questions and perspectives that arise from your audience.
Aniticipate questions, and be proactive in providing the answers. Don't always wait for the questions to be asked before you answer them.
By acknowledging that your stories may not have all the answers and by engaging with your audience's inquiries, you can foster a richer and more meaningful connection with your listeners or readers.
You can also use experiences as inspiration to refine your storytelling craft, creating narratives that both captivate and challenge, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.
The lesson for content creators who use stories is to value curiosity, embrace questions, and strive to deepen the impact and resonance of their narratives.
As a content creator using stories, what's your take on the foregoing?
Do you hate 'them' stories? It's your turn now...
My name is Echez O'Ford , the content manufacturer. Call me when you want to take your business and brand to the next level through richly written content that solves problems.
Not sure what I can do for you? Check this out:
I help brands and business owners sell their offers through email with my story-driven framework
4 个月Thanks, I felt like keep reading
Founder | COO | +7 years Building Ideas, telling stories and working on projects from Concept to Completion.
1 年Thanks for sharing.
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1 年Thanks for sharing! Storytelling preceding email copywriting has also been a puzzle to me! I rather would identify your pain points and create my content round the benefits. Some contents are blown beyond proportion. At the end it becomes the story of Sam and the intelligent little boy in this article. To me I don't subscribe fully to storytelling if it will end up in unanswered questions.