"Want to hear a story?" Oftentimes when you hear this question, you suddenly pay attention to the person who is going to tell the story. Everybody loves stories! For this reason, storytelling has become one of the most powerful subliminal persuasion techniques to influence people. Salespersons and marketers now use storytelling because this subliminal persuasion technique helps them sell under the prospect's' radar. In ancient times most information was passed on by word of mouth, for the very good reason that writing and writing materials were restricted to the wealthy and highly educated. For information to last over great times and distances, it had to be in a highly memorable form. …show more content…
What is the plot or plot lines for the story?
What is the story’s climax or key success point/
What is our happy ending?
Only when we have mapped out the story are we ready to begin the storytelling. For example, a new product that creates a new product category may need a first chapter that focuses on the issue or problem that the product solves. Only after key audiences understand the issue can the storyteller introduce the new, revolutionary solution. And only after the solution is properly introduced can its story be told in detail.
In public relations, storytelling is not only about a good script, but also, good execution.
Like performers on a stage, interacting with the audience, storytelling is dynamic, involving two-way communication. Good storytellers adapt the story for each audience. They tailor staging, scenery, even the actors, to deliver success.
Like a good book, successful PR storytelling may have many chapters. And while it may incorporate unforeseen drama or plot twists, as with crisis communications, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a happy …show more content…
Remember the KISS philosophy: Keep it Short and Simple. Give us the nuts and bolts and nothing else. Sometimes story-tellers get wrapped up in the details, usually because they experienced the situation and find those details relevant. But usually the details of what you were wearing at the time and where you bought that outfit are not adding to the lesson or plot of the story.
4. Have a clear link between your story and your lesson
A story is only worth telling if it has an obvious link to the subject being taught. We all know from common conversation how annoying it is to listen to someone's long-winded story just to wonder at the end of it why it was shared. Effective speakers have a very clear link between the moral of their stories and the topic at hand. If this link is missing, the story is useless, and your listeners are left wondering what it was for.
5. Engage your listener by engaging the senses
A good story-teller engages all of our senses. We might listen to you tell a funny story about ice cream, and that will be enjoyable, but what if you could make us taste that ice cream, feel its creamy consistency on our tongues, visualize the mess that's made all over your face as a child, and so on. That's what will