Public Relations & Social Marketing Insight

Storytelling can be complex and the information about storytelling, well, overwhelming. The good news, is that you can start either way — from the future (with a vision story) or the past (with an origin story). In this article I want to show you simple ways that you can dive right into telling your story (without fretting or worrying so much if you’re getting it right).

In a recent client workshop in New York City we unpacked this process, sharing some of my favorite ways to lead off any purposeful story. I shared six kick-off phrases that ANYONE can use to start a story in a way that’s compelling, uplifting, and inspiring. I like to think of it as Mad-Libs for transformational storytelling!

The Story Literally Spills Out Of You, When You Use One Of These 6 Kick-Off Phrases.

These 6 strategies are something we cover in great depth in our StoryU Online course Undeniable Story. Today, I want to share with you a few of them that are really important in setting the context and frame for your marketing, storytelling, and leadership efforts....

Storytelling reveals meaning without committing the error of defining it” – Hannah Arendt

I’ve been working with brands for 15+ years.   Over that time, I have crafted my fair share of “traditional” stories for my clients and their brands.   As the strategies came to reflect a greater social influence, I’ve recognized growing trends in how story themes have had to evolve from corporate traditions, towards a more human minded perspective.    I’ve summarized the seven most prominent themes as follows...