5 Top Tips for Content Storytelling in 2021
Have you ever sat down with someone and found yourself counting the minutes? Probably – we’ve all had those meetings! But you’ve probably also had conversations that fly by, and you’re so wrapped up in the stories being told that you lose track of time, and before you know it, it’s two hours later. The reason for that lies in just one word – story.
We’ve talked before about storytelling, and what impact that has on the way businesses market themselves. However, as we enter 2021, the reality is that people are craving stories more than ever. They are also desperate for brands they can trust, and who give them a positive feeling. So, for 2021, the biggest tool in your marketing arsenal is your storytelling.
What is Content Storytelling?
Despite the name, content storytelling isn’t writing a book about your business or telling the story of your business. Instead, it’s all about conveying information through a narrative. A great example of content storytelling is the annual John Lewis Christmas adverts. The ad’s purpose is to promote the John Lewis brand, but it’s done by telling an emotive and heartfelt story. The ads have become so popular that it’s not ‘officially Christmas’ for many until the ad airs.
But even if you don’t have a massive budget, you can still use storytelling. After all, it’s one of the most effective marketing tools, since it allows you to communicate information in a way that’s engaging, memorable and strikes an emotional chord. For your marketing to tell a story, you need a beginning, middle and end, some compelling characters, and an overarching theme. Using these elements, you can craft a story around any service that will:
- Connect with your target audience.
- Get them actively engaged in your brand.
- Build communities around your business.
- Create an emotional response.
5 Storytelling Tips
Get to know your audience: Get under their skin, learn what makes them tick, so you can craft narratives that hit the right notes.
Define what you’re trying to say: Know what your message is. Have it written in a big, bold sentence at the top of your page, and connect everything back to that.
Structure: Your content needs a beginning, middle and end. Work this out beforehand – don’t just wing it and hope the structure falls into place.
Write, edit: Your first drafts aren’t final. Once you’ve got an idea on paper, go back over it. Edit it, refine the message and make sure it’s as powerful as it can be.
Plan distribution: Creating the story is only half the battle – you need to get it in front of people. While you’re developing your content, make sure you’re also producing a plan to distribute and promote it.
At Orbital Media, we help businesses craft their own story, create amazing campaigns and share it with the world. If you would like to know more, just get in touch today.
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