Harness The Power of Marketing Through StoryTelling
By: Kristi L. Jackson e fell in love with Oprah. Not for who she is today, not for just being mega rich, but because at some point she was normal. She came from the dirt. She worked her way up and created a business from hitting a glass ceiling in her career. Oprah’ s story is compelling, it resonates with many of us. Her unimaginable rags to riches rise makes us feel like we can do it too.
That’ s her story, and we all know it.
The best businesses know how to tell a good story. For some, the business becomes a story. They romance us, they make us feel good, connected, they court us, then we buy- and at the end of the night- they score.
Storytelling is an art, and according to Seth Godin, it’ s the heart of a successful marketing campaign. In this uber competitive world, who you really are, what your company stands for, and the unique stories and facts of your business are sometimes the only fibers of individuality that your brand can hold on to.
Stories have power. Told perfectly- they evoke action and admiration. Learning how to tell a narrative around your brand is one of the best lessons you can learn to make your company irresistible to potential customers and the media. Adding this skill to your 2013 marketing strategy is a smart idea. Never been a good story-teller? No worries- this is what you need to know: First, what excites you? This is the best way to start. Think of the short commercials, the videos, the articles that made you think or that you tore out of magazines, and videos you shared on YouTube. Which ones can you remember to this day? What was the unique thing they did to capture your attention? Make a list of what was done, determine if some of those things would work for your business. See how you can weave those attributes into your own narrative.
The best storytellers leave us wanting. Don’ t tell it all in one sitting.
48 POWERCULTURE APR2013