No Tales, Just Facts: How Real Stories Steal the Spotlight

Day in and day out, we’re telling stories. Reflecting on what was and imagining what could be are two types of stories we tell. Describing a product? That’s a story. Outlining a service? Another story. Every pitch, presentation, or request is another form of our daily storytelling. Cold facts and dry stats don’t stick around in our memories, but stories? They cross the boundaries of time, communities, and cultures. Companies, over the past few decades, have caught on to this — opting to narrate their journey rather than just advertise.

When everything on the shelf looks like a carbon copy, how do you settle on the product or service that gets to come home with you? I’d bet it’s the one with a rich backstory. Stories have the knack to captivate, connect on an emotional level, and spur us into action. For the trailblazers — whether they’re startup founders, corporate giants, or industry leaders — weaving a good story is a ticket to distinction in our saturated and noisy market.

Keep it real, win hearts

Major brands with long histories have always valued storytelling, embedding it directly in their sales and leadership methods. Just look at big names like Airbnb, Nike, and Amazon. Their Yoda is a great storytelling. Stories amplify the ordinary, ensuring your audience doesn’t just hear but feel by humanizing the data.

“ Raw data doesn’t stick, stories do. ”

Customers today are keen to understand the ethos behind a company and the destination of their hard-earned investment. Stories within your content infuse a human touch into your brand, making it more welcoming and identifiable. Imagine stumbling upon a webpage that seems lifeless, overly optimized for search engines, and eerily impersonated. Would you feel inclined to shop there? Doubtful. People are naturally drawn to brands they deem trustworthy and consider allies.

Tell something good on social media

Look, social media isn’t just for cat videos and food snaps. Social media is your megaphone to an audience larger than most stadiums. Pen a killer blog? Share it. Got a video that packs a punch? Post it. But here’s the kicker: Whatever you throw out there, make sure it informs, entertains, or hits the feels. Because in this digital jungle, it’s either be valuable or be scrolled past. Choose wisely and keep chatter-worthy.

Tell something good during pitches

Sometimes a solid sales pitch nails it, turning that prospect into a prized client. But on other occasions, what tips the scales is a compelling story, making them see they’ve got to team up with you. Now, don’t clutter your pitch with endless side stories or monologues. Just remember: one well-crafted tale that hits home can be the game-changer.

Tell something good to your team

Infusing passion within your team about the company’s vision and foundational beliefs isn’t always straightforward. Many, based on their specific roles, might be on the sidelines, not fully grasping the broader impact of their daily tasks. It’s essential to leverage storytelling, highlighting the milestones and successes, to paint a clear picture of the transformative role the business plays in the larger community.

Not just selling, but storytelling. But how?

• Understand your customers by diving into their dreams and challenges. Know who they are and what they need. Then, tailor your message to highlight its essence and importance to them. Ask, Why is it vital for them? and pinpoint what makes your offering unique. Keep it focused: [Your company] uses [your solution] to help [your audience] tackle [their issue].
• Adapt your storytelling and format based on the platform and its purpose. Consider where your potential listeners frequent online and the type of content that resonates with them.
• Craft your storytelling by using language that triggers emotions. Allow listeners to visualize your story, ensuring it encompasses sight, sound, aroma, flavor, and touch.
• Begin with the key characters: your brand and your audience, and outline the prevailing issues and desired outcomes. Illuminate the barriers, whether competition, market dynamics, or internal challenges. Show how, against these odds, your brand aids the audience in overcoming obstacles to achieve their goals, spotlighting your solutions and inspiring action.

As Viveka, storytelling might not be our only craft, but we have loved unlocking worth-telling success stories since 2009, and yours could be next on our list! Why wait?

What’s your authentic story? We always love to hear a good one.