The moment I’m called to give the speech I’d prepared WEEKS for and I FREAK OUT the moment they hand me the mic.
I wish I could say this was the first time it’d happened. I really wish I could say it was the last but for years, I struggled with getting so nervous about talking in front of other people that I would virtually blank out, miss my point and all the things I meant to say. I remember feeling like that stupid mic was trying to grow wings and fly out of my hand and feeling like a complete idiot for forgetting all of my perfectly planned points.
Eloquence? …Out the door!
I felt like a total DOOF!
While it’d be a lie to say my nerves don’t do a number on me when the lights come on, I feel like I’m ever improving. Finding solid tools to break the ice and get me through that initial adrenaline jolt has been HUGE in helping me share my messages across any number of platforms in a way that connects more authentically with my target audience.
This isn’t just key for social influencers and content creators. Strong communication (SPOKEN AND WRITTEN) is an excellent tool to leverage in promoting your business. While there are a number of tactics you can employ to do this more effectively, today we’re focusing on one: Storytelling.
Storytelling is a powerful tool for creating compelling copy that engages your audience and communicates your message effectively. Here are some key elements to keep in mind when crafting a compelling story in your copy:
Bleed in the First Line
Notice how I started this article off with a story of my own struggle? Being open, vulnerable and human can be a great way to set your audience at ease. This share doesn’t have to be a negative. It can equally be a life highlight that gets your people excited about what you’re about to share.
Create a protagonist
Every good story needs a protagonist. This is the character who faces challenges and overcomes obstacles to achieve their goal. Your protagonist should be relatable and sympathetic to your audience. If that’s you, I’d say, even better! If not, that’s okay too. It’s more important that the story is 1. (preferably) true and 2. has a point related to what you’re working into.
Develop a conflict
Without conflict, there is no story. Your protagonist needs to face challenges and obstacles that create tension and drive the narrative forward. The conflict should be relevant to your audience and demonstrate the value of your product or service.
Show, Don’t Tell
Instead of telling your audience what your product or service does, show them how it solves a problem or improves their life. Use descriptive language and vivid imagery to create a visual representation of your story.
Build a Narrative Arc
Your story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. The beginning should introduce your protagonist and set the stage for the conflict. The middle should present obstacles and challenges that the protagonist must overcome. The end should show how the protagonist has changed and achieved their goal.
Use Emotions
Emotions are key to creating a connection with your audience. Use emotional language to create empathy and make your story more relatable. This will help your people connect with your brand and remember your message.
Provide a Resolution
Your story should have a clear resolution that ties up loose ends and provides closure. This should demonstrate the value of your product or service and encourage people to take action.
Hitting each of these points should help you develop a story that flows straight into your message, pitch, or discussion. Make sure you take the time to write/record notable life experiences with lessons to share whenever the opportunity may arise.
