Stories by far attract the most attention from consumers today \u2014 stories they can relate to, stories that entertain, and stories that inform.<\/p>\n
It’s no wonder then that sales and marketing professionals are taking notice and incorporating the story format into their strategies.<\/p>\n
Yet we’re not just talking about storytelling, which you’re already familiar with.<\/p>\n
No, today’s sales and marketing teams are turning to the concept of storyselling, and it’s making big waves as a way to increase brand awareness and connect with customers.<\/p>\n
Stories stick with you and will also stick with customers and potential customers<\/strong> if you present them in the right way for maximum impact.<\/p>\n By adding storyselling to your content marketing<\/a> strategy, you can focus on providing meaningful stories around your products or services, reach a wider audience, and, in turn, increase your profits.<\/p>\n Here is everything you will learn today:<\/p>\n Once you have your real or fictional characters chosen, you need to present a problem or a challenge they face and make it relatable to your target audience<\/strong>. <\/p>\n What challenge is similar to that of your audience that you are targeting with this particular product or service?<\/p>\n Now that your audience is relating to your character and the problem or challenge at hand, offer a successful solution that involves your brand.<\/p>\n You know you’ve successfully added these elements when you can see results, such as:<\/strong><\/p>\n The key to attracting more of your audience is in how you tell your story.<\/p>\n What can make your product or service more relevant and enticing? Start by avoiding content narrowly focused on a product’s features or stats.<\/p>\n Instead, highlight the product or service’s benefits.<\/strong> Show how customers can benefit from its usage.<\/p>\n If you ever think \u201cbut my product isn\u2019t exciting enough for a story,\u201d you\u2019re not alone\u2014everyone hits that wall. Sometimes, it\u2019s about zooming out and finding a bigger, human angle. Ever read the case study of Blendtec blenders? Their \u201cWill it Blend?\u201d videos, where they shredded iPhones and marbles, didn\u2019t just show off horsepower, it made people laugh\u2014and suddenly, a boring kitchen gadget became the life of the party. The lesson: you don\u2019t have to reinvent the wheel, but don\u2019t be afraid to have a little fun with the way you show value either.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t underestimate how tone and voice play into your storytelling mix, too. People are savvy; they can smell canned enthusiasm or fake vulnerability from a mile away. The trick is to let your brand\u2019s actual personality poke through, imperfections and all. Sometimes that means being breezy, sometimes a bit self-deprecating, or just straightforward\u2014whatever feels least like an armature reading off a script. The closer it gets to sounding like a real person, the more likely folks will actually remember, or even trust, what you\u2019re saying.<\/p>\n For even more effective storyselling, consider the following tips.<\/p>\n To catch the attention and eye of consumers, use a hook (title, tagline, etc.) that caters to their sense of curiosity. <\/p>\n Follow that hook with an opening that intrigues your audience<\/strong>, causing them to stay for the duration of the storyselling experience.<\/p>\n While subtle sales pitches are often part of your storyselling, keep transparency<\/a> at the top of your guidelines when creating the story to use. <\/p>\n You want it to sound honest<\/strong>, giving consumers the rightful impression that you are being open and real with them.<\/p>\n Whatever your product or service, make it personal by giving it meaning. <\/p>\n Find ways to connect with your audience<\/strong>, make your product or service relatable enough to trigger emotions, and make an impression regarding your brand.<\/p>\n Create a story that helps your audience relate to your product or service, and create an understanding of what it is you offer and how it can help them in their own life. <\/p>\n A way to accomplish this is to include a before and after effec<\/strong>t, showing how your brand can solve a challenge or problem your targeted audience experiences.<\/p>\n Take an empathetic marketing<\/a> approach and place yourself in your audience’s shoes. Translate that into a story that gets their attention and answers their needs more succinctly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n How you wrap up your story is pivotal to the responses you get from your audience. Show relief or a happy ending, so consumers feel good about your brand and what it can do for them.<\/strong><\/p>\n Finding new ways to utilize stories in your sales and marketing strategy will lead to higher brand awareness<\/a> and a way to connect with more of your targeted audience in a genuine way.<\/p>\n As a result, you’ll watch your profits rise.<\/p>\n Storyselling goes beyond just telling a story. It tells the story in such a way the readers will want to continue knowing your brand and what you can do for them.<\/p>\nA Relatable Problem or Challenge<\/h3>\n
A Successful Solution<\/h3>\n
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Tips for Effective Storyselling<\/h2>\n
1. Use a Provoking Hook to Reel in Your Audience<\/h3>\n
2. Go for Transparency to Garner Trust<\/h3>\n
3. Make the Impersonal Personal<\/h3>\n
4. Show How Your Audience Will Benefit<\/h3>\n
5. Use Empathy<\/h3>\n
6. Add a Feel-Good Ending<\/h3>\n
Wrap Up<\/h2>\n