From a young age, we are drawn to stories. We beg our parents to read us bedtime tales, we watch cartoons and movies, and we devour books. Stories entertain us, educate us, and help us to make sense of our world.
Today, we delve into a topic that, while devoid of a philosophical query, is inherently philosophical.
Humans are inherently curious creatures, always seeking to understand the world around us and our place in it. One of the most effective ways we do this is through storytelling.
From a young age, we are drawn to stories. We beg our parents to read us bedtime tales, we watch cartoons and movies, and we devour books. Stories entertain us, educate us, and help us to make sense of our world.
Be it a book, a song, an image, or quite simply, each person themselves, a story resides within every corner of our existence.
It’s no wonder that storytelling is such a big and defining trend on social media.
On social media, stories are often best conveyed through video or images. These mediums are highly engaging and visually appealing, and they can effectively convey a wealth of information in a short amount of time. Text is often used to complement the video or image with a concise story summary or add additional context.
Thus, it’s no mere coincidence that the hashtag #storytelling has become a prevailing and defining trend in the realm of social media.In today’s social media landscape, narratives are most effectively conveyed through the medium of video or imagery, where a wealth of information is often condensed. Textual elements serve to complement, offering brief yet concise captions that encapsulate the essence of the story’s subject matter.
Youtube –
Storytelling: A Powerful Tool for Connection
Storytelling, despite its outward appearance of simplicity, is, in fact, quite the opposite: a complex and demanding task. The more straightforward and candid the storyteller, steering clear of unnecessary gravitas, the more effective the conduit becomes for establishing a meaningful connection through the story.
Blogging is a way to tell a story, either in writing or video (short or long, depending on the platform). Youtubers, for example, are ordinary people like you and me who tell stories in a way that attracts an audience. They usually ask for like and subscribers at the end of their videos to secure their connection with the audience, and so that their followers are automatically notified when they upload a new video. Fashion bloggers, travel bloggers, and many other specialists regularly update their YouTube channels with new episodes and manage to gain a loyal following of registered subscribers. And yes, they make enough money to be able to answer the question “what do you do for a living?” with “I’m a StoryTeller”!
TikTok
TikTok is a must-have for any content blog. It’s a place for brands and creators to experiment, and those who dare to fully embrace the platform’s DNA without taking themselves too seriously are the ones who succeed. In other words, those who bravely face their fear of exposure by being vulnerable and authentic.
Organic content is back in play.
The rise of TikTok has ushered in a new era, prioritizing content over social connections. People have been using social media in a completely different way in recent years.
The emergence of TikTok marked the dawn of a new era, one that places a fresh emphasis on prioritizing content over social connections. In recent years, there has been a notable shift in how people use social media.
Once upon a time, users logged on to social media to see what their friends, family, colleagues, and favorite brands were up to. Today, users expect social media platforms to understand their individual interests and preferences, and to deliver a feed of relevant content, regardless of who created it.
Even though people still use personal messaging apps like Messenger, Viber, WhatsApp, and Instagram DMs to connect and interact with each other online, there is still a need for social media channels.
On social media, people—that’s you, me, and everyone else—are looking for content that:
- The presence of a community that triggers an emotional response.
- An acknowledgment and comprehension of how a product or service can directly benefit their lives.
Let’s start with something fundamental:
The person listening/reading or watching your story must identify with it. That is, to find himself in it. To think at least once, ” Is this guy watching me?”. It’s so important to feel that in this world, it’s not just us living a situation that brings us joy or makes us difficult (especially when it is difficult for us).
When the message you are conveying is very personal and understood only by you, why should it be anyone else’s business? Why would you expect it to create some bridge of connection with the other person?
The younger generations find themselves deeply engaged in matters of self-image, viewed through the lens of well-known stereotypes that permeate various facets of life, encompassing relationships, careers, social circles, and politics, all of which they tend to push back against. A robust inclination exists to deconstruct rigid and harsh portrayals or societal expectations rooted in stereotyping. In their stead, there is a resounding call for the freedom to be true to oneself, unrestricted in any way, and this is deemed acceptable across every sphere of life. It’s about embracing one’s authenticity without being overly concerned about the perceptions of others
Of course, there is another side to consider. With the endless information we receive daily about the lives of others, I wonder if we are simultaneously robbing ourselves of something else very important: our own stories.
While immersing ourselves in the stories of others, are we not, in a sense, diverting our attention from our own story?
This is a philosophical perspective to consider.
But since this is a blog post about digital marketing, let’s gather our thoughts and focus on the engagement that storytelling creates.
Good storytelling needs:
Authenticity:
Don’t try to fool your audience, because the algorithms will quickly discard your story. There is so much information out there that people are trained to spot the inauthentic, the fake, and the pretentious.
Active observation and knowledge:
Find out who your audience
really is. Engagement is the bond, the relationship! In any human relationship,
the critical ingredient for success is caring, and to have caring, you have to take
time. Watch how the audience you want to reach interacts. What platforms do they
love, and what times are they most active? If you observe their behavior a
little bit, you will quickly discover what they stand for, what they express,
what they prefer, and what they want to hear.
Strategic storytelling:
Place the customer user at
the heart of the narrative by making them the protagonist! How? They can talk
about their experience with your brand.
Emotional appeal:
(No, you’re not reading for
a literature exam)
Storytelling is a powerful tool for brands. Stories that evoke emotions, entertain, move, inspire, and/or educate are more likely to resonate with audiences and build trust. When people feel connected to a brand, they are more likely to invest in it.
Here are a few tips for using storytelling to target your audience:
- Make sure your story is relevant to your audience. What are their pain points? What do they aspire to? What are their values? The more relevant your story is, the more likely your audience is to engage with it.
- Be authentic. People can spot inauthenticity from a mile away. So be yourself and tell your story in a way that feels true to you.
- Use vivid language and imagery. Use descriptive language and imagery to help your audience bring your story to life.
Have a clear call to action. What do you want your audience to do after they hear your story? Tell them!
Be less pushy with your sales.
Focus on the person, not the product.
Tell stories that resonate with your audience.
Here’s another way to put it:
Features don’t sell products. People sell products.
Marketing storytelling is a way to connect with your audience on a personal level. It’s about more than just listing the features and benefits of your product. It’s about telling a story that shows how your product can improve your audience’s lives.
In today’s world, people are bombarded with advertising from all sides. They’re used to being sold to. That’s why it’s essential to stand out from the crowd with storytelling.
When you tell a story, you capture people’s attention. You make them care. You build a connection with them.
And when you’ve built a connection, people will likely buy from you.
So, next time you’re thinking about writing an ad, don’t just list the features and benefits of your product. Tell a story instead.
Podcast-Audio Narration
We couldn’t forget to mention the medium that has emerged in the last few years, which involves content in the form of audio-only.
Podcasting is an increasingly popular way for people to be informed or entertained by content broadcasts of any topic you can think of. Much like radio, podcasts reach listeners in a wide variety of formats, and many of them tell stories.
Let’s remember that music itself is an unbeatable genre of content. Each song is actually the telling of a story that has something to tell the listener. A song is a storytelling.
Storytelling makes your brand more relatable and approachable.
People don’t want to interact with faceless corporations; they want to connect with others. That’s why it’s important to tell your brand story in a way that resonates with your audience.
When we talk to our friends, we want to tell them our stories. We do this for two reasons: to get it off our chest and to feel that we’re not alone. When someone listens to our stories, understands them, and shares them, it makes us feel better. We’re more likely to go back to that person the next time we need to talk about something important.
This is human nature. We’re drawn to people who share our experiences and values. We want to feel familiar and comfortable.
The same patterns of human behavior apply in the digital world. When we find a brand that tells stories that we can relate to, we’re more likely to become loyal customers. We feel like we know the brand and that the brand understands us.
Brands can use storytelling to connect with their audiences on a deeper level. By telling stories about their team, their customers, and their brand’s mission and values, brands can create a sense of community and belonging.
When customers feel connected to a brand, they’re more likely to do business with that brand.
Storytelling is the key to making your brand unforgettable.
In the internet and social media age, where businesses are constantly vying for consumers’ attention, storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to stand out from the crowd.
Your brand’s story is what makes it unique. It’s the story of your brand’s mission, its values, and the people behind it. When you tell your brand’s story, you connect with consumers emotionally. You’re showing them that your brand is more than just a product or service; it’s a part of who you are.
According to cognitive psychologist Jerome Bruner, events are 22 times more memorable when wrapped in a story. That’s because stories capture our attention and engage our emotions. They make us feel something.
The need for a sense of belonging.
People desire to connect! Sharing your story fosters a community around your brand. However, keep your story distinct from the product. Aggressive sales tactics are less effective in 2023!
In the words of the renowned Zig Ziglar, individuals make purchases driven by emotions and then use logic to validate their choices.
If emotions drive purchases, focusing on product features will unlikely sway buyers. Features lack the emotional resonance that stories possess.
Consider offering valuable free content! Providing education, entertainment, and motivation is greatly appreciated!
Once you understand these principles, let your creativity flow freely. Allow your ideas to take flight!
Now, it’s time to create,
The choice is always yours!
| I hope my story today kept you up to the word 1998 |
