Business Storytelling: 6 Most Effective Ways to Tell Your Story
Storytelling is everywhere. Sit down with your friends and family and immediately you will observe stories being shared. Gossip, tidbits, history lessons, family legends, and even discussion of what someone ate that day are a form of storytelling. Every single day, we all partake in this primitive act: telling stories. Cavemen did it by carving on cave walls and stones to pass down their discoveries and adventures, and to this day, we continue with this ritual. So, how can you as a business tell your story to effectively capture the attention of people? Business storytelling does exist; in fact, it is a necessity of being a successful business. Here are six ways to tell your business story (keeping in mind that you can tell it anywhere and everywhere):
Through Video and Film
More and more people are choosing to share their stories through videos. Think of the success of YouTube. This social media channel works because it gets tons of people to share their stories and show their talents to the world. Why not share your business story this way too? Make a video telling a quick story about how your business came to be. Have your coworkers and employees present. Or maybe create an animation that tells the story of your business. Business storytelling can be creative here. Remember, people want to be entertained, and that is what sharing your story is all about.
Through Presentations and Even PowerPoint
Do you have a meeting with a client or customer to sell them on a product, service, or business idea? Presentations and PowerPoints can be a great way to both inform them about the thing you are selling and share your story. Add some visuals that relate to your story and describe the path your business took to get to where it is now. People love hearing stories, and they have a better chance of bonding with you afterward.
Through Annual Reports
Believe it or not, you can tell a business story through annual reports. Just imagine sitting down in a meeting with all your coworkers or employees and sharing with them the annual report of that year. Which do you think is better? Telling them the data in a straightforward, plain-numbers kind of way or telling them the story of how their efforts payed off in a specific month when they all chipped in and contributed? Of course, it is better to go with the story, which not only motivates but lets them pay attention more and care about the report.
Through Your Product and Service Packaging
Want to sell someone on your product or service package? Share a story. Business storytelling here is a great way to show someone why they need your product. What can your product do for them? How did you come up with it? What made you want to create it? Telling the story of that product can convince people that it is valuable for them.
Through Your People
When your employees or coworkers talk to customers, they could share the business story too. This is a powerful way of telling more and more people about your business and making people appreciate your journey.
Through the Digital Universe
Social media is the perfect place for sharing your story. It is for this very reason why social media marketing is such a success. Think of how convenient and fast it is to share your story through social media. You can post a picture of your early business stages or a video telling your story and it will be seen by many visitors and get passed on.
Business storytelling can happen anywhere. Whenever you get the chance to share a story, why not share your business story? It is a great way to create an emotional connection with potential and current customers.