Since the beginning of human history people have relied on stories. They have shaped how we think about ourselves, our cultures and the world around us and provided a way for us to inspire, trust and relate to one another. Stories give us a way to stand out, a means to fit in and they make information easier to digest, remember and share.
Every business has a story to tell and telling yours can make it easier for people to understand who you are, what you do and why. For best results, keep the following tips in mind. Keep it simple A strong and simple message will have the greatest impact, so whether you are a long running family business or a rapidly growing start up, focus on the core values of your business and clearly describe exactly what it is that you do. Use simple language, avoid jargon and try to explain things in a way that your target audience is likely to understand. Generate some hype A good story needs to be inspiring, especially if you are trying to convince people to believe in you and jump on board. So go ahead, share your grand vision for the future and give everyone a reason to get excited about your business. While you will need to back up any big claims you make, there is certainly nothing wrong with being ambitious. Use humour (carefully) If you can make someone laugh you are well on your way to forming a connection with them and a funny story is also far more likely to be remembered and shared. Just be sure to keep it professional and steer clear of anything that could be considered offensive, because while the right style of humour can make a story more engaging, getting it wrong can cause a PR disaster. Reveal a secret There is no better way to form a bond with someone than to reveal one of your secrets, particularly if it is something surprising, interesting or entertaining. Admitting a mistake, talking about a personal challenge you overcame or revealing an unusual habit will not only show your human side, it will make it easier for people to trust you. But, obviously, don’t reveal anything that could potentially harm your credibility. Hold something back A good story should be interesting enough to draw the audience in yet hold enough back that they are left wanting more. Break your story up into segments, have them build upon each other and unveil them one at a time. Whatever you do, don’t give away everything all at once as there will be no reason for people to come back. If you need help crafting your business story, I can help. Contact me today for a free consultation and quote.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorGreg Wilcox Archives
September 2016
Categories |