Human beings have been telling stories since the caveman period. Stories have been used to teach and pass down knowledge. Currently, stories are used for more than that. They can be used to market products and services. One thing remains the same when it comes to storytelling. You need to connect with your audience for them to take any action.
Before you do anything, you need to know what a good story is. Good stories are those that remain with you long after you have heard them. I read this article that had a story of a lady who had severe hospital phobias. While reading, I could visualize the narrative and feel what she was going through. A good story like that one should do the following;
- It should capture your attention.
- The storyline keeps you interested.
- The story should draw you in
- Through the story, you should develop a bond between you and the storyteller.
Elements of a good story
Before you tell your story, ensure that it has the following elements;
- The story should contain some type of conflict. The conflict draws the reader in as they wait for a resolution. You can end the conflict at the end of the book or leave the readers hanging if you are going for a series. This will keep them coming back for more.
- The characters should have their personalities. The readers will connect and identify with the character if they have some qualities they have seen.
- Your story needs to connect with the emotions of the reader. Emotions in a story give it power. People are drawn to stories they emotionally connect with. This will guide the reader into doing what you want them to do.
- Your story needs to connect with the reader’s imagination. Through your words, they need to be able to visualize. This will make the story memorable and will keep the reader drawn to your story.
How to win people’s hearts with your story
Storytelling is not for everyone. If you want to win the heart of the reader with your story, there are things you can do. Here are the two main things you can do to give heartwarming stories.
- Pick the right story
When it comes to pick the right story, there are several things you need to consider.
- First, you need to think of the method you are using to tell your story. This will determine the format you can use. If you are making a short film or advert, you will limit the action on the film. You will filter the content and only remain with what you will use. This is different from a novel where you have all the creative space you need.
- You also need to choose a story that is appealing to your audience. Ensure your main character can connect with your audience. That is the only way the audience will be interested in your work as they will start trusting you.
- The story should stimulate the emotions of the audience. You can do this through identifying with your audience. For example, a dentist can show the audience how patients coming for routine checkups helped them identify dental problems early before they became worse.
- Make your story powerful
Your story needs to be powerful so it can draw your audience in and keep them interested. You can do this by giving detailed descriptions that will make your audience visualize. You can also use a concept they can identify with, for example, someone who is afraid of visiting the dentist.
As you make sure your story has flow, ensure it has that personal touch. You need to be able to connect with your audience on a personal level for them to pay attention to you. People respond to personalized content better since it helps them build a sense of trust. Your story should be empathetic to their struggles and show them that all hope is not lost.
Telling a story is more than just coming up with words. The words need to connect with the audience for you to get your desired effect. Whether you are blogging or marketing, these tips will help you gain more from your consumers. All that is left now is to pick a story and run with it.
