Do you use storytelling in your online business?
Here in Australia we recently concluded The Voice Australia for 2013. If you are not familiar with The Voice it is a reality show with 4 coaches and they each have a team of people competing to be “the voice” in Australia. I know there is a version in the USA but not sure where else it runs.
I listened to the coaches, especially Joel Madden and Seal, encouraging their teams to “use their story to connect with the audience”. I also remember hearing Keith Urban say it last year. That musicians use storytelling to connect.
When I was listening to these guys my mind kept wandering to blogging and how bloggers use stories.
The more I thought about it the more I thought it is not just bloggers………… it is in all aspects of online marketing.
I share my thoughts on storytelling here on this short video.
Do you agree with me?
If you are not familiar with the blogger I mentioned you can find her here at Adrienne Smith.net go over there and you will see what I mean. If you do know Adrienne I know you will agree with me. She is a master at weaving stories into her posts.
Storytelling in songs
We remember stories and we connect with them. In music I mentioned Harry Chapin. His song “Cat’s in the Cradle” made a deep impression with many of us and long after Harry’s death his lyrics live on.
Storytelling in your online business
In my video I also mentioned video marketing. That of course is where we can really connect and tell our story.
I am sure you are familiar with the saying “facts tell and stories sell”. I have heard this said throughout my career and long before the internet existed. Over the years I have observed top sales people in various professions achieve amazing results because they had mastered the art of storytelling.
Think about this … If storytelling worked in the business world before the internet it makes sense that it is even more important now. In the old business model pre the internet we had face to face meeting. We therefore could much more easily get a feel for someone and get to know like and trust them… or not!
As online marketers we need to find a way to connect with our audience and have them know like and trust us. Stories play a big part in doing that.
Do you use storytelling in your online business? Please leave me a comment below and let us know how you use it or what you think.
If you found this post and video of value please share it on social media.
Make it a great day.
Sue Price
Skype: sueprice
Dana says
Hi Sue,
Yes, I do feel that sharing our stories plays a very beneficial role in everything we do. Deep down, we appreciate recognizing ourselves in everyone while getting to experience that level of connection.
I use story telling in my work. Sharing my experiences with my readers not only comes natural to me, it plays a role in the subject matter of the work itself.
It’s a way for us to relate to one another – and helps to enable that feeling of community. It’s the comfort we desire in a world where the mind wants us to believe we are separate.
LOVE the post! Very thought provoking 🙂
Sue Price says
Hi Dana
I know I can count on your for an awesome comment. Yes you do use stories very well which is why I felt like I could relate to you right away. I think you said so much in “It’s the comfort we desire in a world where the mind wants us to believe we are separate.” And yes we search for things we have in common.
In my days as an accountant and a a financial planner I would always look for someway I could share something about me that the client would relate to, just to relax them. I did it instinctively but now realize just how smart I was 🙂
I am glad you love the post Dana and yes it is thought provoking. I have been wanting to write this since I started reflecting on the music I was watching. I also noticed the more someone was willing to share of themselves the better they were loved by their audience. Do you think that is the same in our marketing?
Thanks for you wonderful comment. Have a great week Dana.
Sue
Adrienne says
Hey Sue,
Oh wow, I’m so flattered! I always remember people saying that you needed to tell stories and I didn’t think I had any to share. I mean who am I, really! I’m just like you and everyone else. No big rags to riches story here and I’m just like everyone else who has found their way online.
I do know that as you mentioned, write about things that your audience can relate to and that’s where the real connections start. Put it in your own words so your readers feel you’re speaking just to them.
I know a lot of people are afraid still, to do videos but just your video right here I felt you were talking just to me. Okay, sort of cause with mentioning me you would have said okay Adrienne, you know I’m talking about you! 😉 But seriously, I made a lot of connections early on myself through video because people felt I was speaking just to them.
Stories are the best form of grabbing your audience’s attention so this is a wonderful message you shared today. Thank you for that and again for the mention and link. I’m smiling over here Sue, do you feel me? 😉
Have a wonderful week.
~Adrienne
Sue Price says
Hi Adrienne
Ah I used you as my example for that reason you are not rags to riches nor did you have a terrible childhood. Yet you have mastered the art of telling your story and sharing yourself. I think too many of us have thought they did not have a story when of course we all do.
I am getting braver with my videos and notice it is getting easier. I now look at the lens of the camera and talk as if I am talking to a person. I cannot do it if I use my webcam though as seeing myself is liking talking to myself 🙂 – well I do that a bit too.
You write awesome emails too Adrienne. You know seriously a couple of times I have felt it was not your auto responder but you were emailing me. Then I realized it was the email address I use for subscribing. You are good girl!
It was my pleasure to include you as you are a perfect example of a story teller.
Ah yes I feel your smile across the miles. I love it! 🙂
You too have a wonderful week Adrienne.
Sue
Robin J Emdon says
Hi Sue,
Storytelling! It’s a FUNDAMENTAL of marketing. Curious how rarely then I see articles about it.
A really spectacularly good book about the power of storytelling is called ‘Tell to Win’ by Peter Guber. Have you read it?
I recommend it highly to yourself and your esteemed readers.
~Robin~
Sue Price says
Hi Robin
It is interesting there are not too many articles on storytelling. I was looking at keywords and doing the usual checking what was around and there is surprisingly little. There are articles on music and storytelling as in writing novels but not about marketing.
No I have not read that book but I have written it on my “to do” list for today to visit Amazon. Thanks for the recommendation.
Thanks for your comment Robin. Have a great week.
Sue
Donna Merrill says
Hi Sue.
Story telling really can pump up your business because like Adrienne’s style, she blogs and I can actually hear her voice!
Story telling is being transparent to others. Putting a little bit of ourselves and/or our experiences in relation to marketing can get our readers to understand our point. I like to inject a bit of myself in my posts.
When David and I studied under Daegan Smith, he was all about story telling when writing emails to our list. Oh he is a master story teller! If you follow his emails, you can get the knack so easily.
I love David Wood’s story telling also. There is so much to learn from him because he is transparent.
So I think story telling is equal to transparency. The old “know, like and trust” marketing technique. It does work well when you go to someone you don’t know and they are sharing a bit of themselves.
On the other hand I have been to some blogs that stink! They only tell their personal stories and no good content to give to their readers. So there has to be a balance.
For me, I can retain more in a story telling style than anything else.
Great video! You look so beautiful!
Donna
Sue Price says
Hi Donna
You know what Adrienne did not think she was good at storytelling!
I am going to subscribe to Daegan’s list so thanks for the tip there. I have been paying attention recently to people who do this really well in emails.
Yes David Wood is transparent and it really is like he is talking to you when you watch his videos. It is funny there is an Aussie guy Gideon Shalwick who is a great video marketer. He lives pretty close to me and last week spoke at an internet marketers Meet Up. I went up to him and started chatting and then I realized I knew him through is videos but he did not know me 🙂 He says it happens to him all the time.
Ah yes Donna a good point we still need to have valuable content. All the storytelling and connecting in the world will fall flat if we do not deliver some value.
And yes I too retain more through stories.
Oh thank you so much on the video feedback. I am actually enjoying doing them now and I did not think that day would come 🙂
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week.
Sue
Silviu says
Hi Sue,
Well, you look great, have a pleasant voice and I must say even … charisma. WOW! I don’t know if it’s something you were born with, something achieved through years of training or both. The important thing is that you have it. And there is also this power to communicate your emotions with the viewers. Not so many people have it.
Story telling? It started ages ago from the dawn of mankind. Story telling was the only way to keep the tribe together, to transform it into a community. Story telling was the power that transformed a teenager into an adult. Story telling was the force that allowed people to resist in times of trouble, story telling aggregates whole nations.
This is one of the most powerful tools from the business arsenal yesterday, today and forever. It will never disappear as long as human beings exist.
Those who master the art of story telling will never need anything else. Ever! They have it all: material and spiritual.
I agree: Adrienne has this power of telling stories. The only thing I want for her is to use her power more often.
I am thinking more and more each day to this idea. I love to tell stories. I just need to break the language barrier a little bit more. I don’t have enough confidence in my English language to start telling stories. But it will come. Soon.
Thank you very much for this wonderful video.
Have a nice day
Sue Price says
Hi Silviu
Thank you so much for the comments on my video. I was quite uncomfortable doing them in the beginning as I felt like I was talking to myself. I have had years of being on stages doing training and seminar presentation. When I started doing video I kept thinking it was more difficult than talking to hundreds of people. I now imagine I am talking to a person so that helps.
Good point story telling does go back a very long way and reading your examples it made me think of course it is powerful in so many ways. And don’t we love it from when we are so young. For our parents to tell us or read us stories.
I agree with you that Adrienne can use her power of story telling more. I would love to see her teaching. Maybe doing webinars to start with would be great for her.
Now I have never spoken to you Silviu but you write English perfectly. I am sure you will find the confidence to start to tell stories.
Thanks again for the feedback on my video. I really do appreciate it. You have a great day too.
Sue
Adrienne says
Thank you Silviu and Sue for the wonderful compliment. As you mentioned Sue, you’re getting braver and braver so I know my time will come. I use to do a lot more videos of me in front of the camera but I’ve gotten away from that because of the teaching so perhaps I’ll be able to incorporate them both down the road.
Thank you both for your lovely compliment.
~Adrienne
Sue Price says
Yes I know Adrienne we can all get braver over time. I think the thing is practice and repetitive like so many things. I think also sometimes it is easier for others to see our talents. If we do something naturally we tend to dismiss it as normal. Just like I know you have said about your ability to connect with people. While many people see it as a wonderful talent you think it is just normal. It is not for many people 🙂
I look forward to seeing what is next for Adrienne.
🙂 Sue
sherman smith says
Hey Sue,
I’ve said this many of times. Humans connect with other humans and storytelling is one great way to accomplish this.
We easily connect with the human experience. Why? Because we can relate to what other people go through. Even if we haven’t gone through the same experiences, we can still feel it as if we have gone through it.
Thanks for sharing your insight of the importance of story telling!
Sue Price says
Hi Sherman
I agree with you that stories are a great way for us to connect as humans. We search for what we have in common and stories can help that search. I also agree that even if we have not gone through what someone else has experienced we gain a greater understanding of them.
Thanks for your comment on this Sherman.
Have a great day.
Sue
Gladys says
Hello Sue
I love this post. Yes on the “Voice” the coaches encourage the singers to tell their story. We just finish the season and one of the singers sang the story about her mother who passed away from cancer.
I can relate to people’s stories because they are sharing their heart with the world.
It is one of the best way to connect with others. Our hearts are open when we share where we come from, our experiences growing up and much more.
Just recently I started sharing some things about my life. My desire is for those in my world to get to know me better.
Thank you for a great post.
Gladys recently posted Five Help Tips To Help You With Apathy
Sue Price says
Hi Gladys
Ah so you watch the voice too. I smiled because so far no on else who has commented here as mentioned it. It was only the second season in Australia so it was very well rated. I just love it 🙂
Ah you are like me just venturing in to really sharing about our lives. I have done it on the surface but know there is so much more to give. I am sure you have an amazing amount of “your stories” to share.
I am not sure about you but for me I have been slow to share some of my life because I think people will not be interested. Nothing could be further from the truth as we all love to know about each other and try to find a place we can relate.
As you said our hearts are open when we share where we come from. I look forward to knowing more about you Gladys.
Thanks for commenting here.
Sue
Joseph Lalonde says
Sue, I’m with you (though I didn’t watch your video, sorry!). Storytelling should be a huge part of online business. Come on, it’s a huge part of offline businesses as well!
People are drawn to story. Looking throughout history, it’s a constant. From cave drawings, to Jesus, to modern movies. Story abounds and is needed to communicate to the masses.
Sue Price says
Hi Joseph
Ah you missed the real message if you did not watch my video 🙂 – I think you got it though.
Yes storytelling has been around forever and certainly is a part of all business both on and offline.
Thanks for your comment – hey and welcome to my blog.
Sue
Viola Tam says
Hi Sue,
What a wonderful post! I could not agree more about the effectiveness of using stories (testimonials) for better engagement. I also totally agree with your comments about Adrienne’s chatty style 🙂 I love that humanistic approach. I guest we all do 🙂
Interesting that you talked about using videos for story telling. I believe that the best writing or email messages cannot match the power of the face-to-face storytelling strategy. Getting visual is where our listeners also pick up other body languages.
Well done, Sue, for covering this issue in our online world. Thanks to the internet, we can still engage in storytelling through various media such as YouTube and Skype!
Viola Tam – The Business Mum
Sue Price says
Hi Viola
Thanks for you lovely feedback Viola. Oh yes and testimonials of course are just sharing stories.
I agree even brilliant emails are not as effective as a video. When someone really talks from their heart it is amazing. When you watch someone on video enough you really feel like you know them even if you have never met them.
Yes Skype and YouTube have made so much more possible. I actually love that this all is happening in our life times. It is amazing how quickly the world hs adjusted.
Thanks again for your comment. Have a wonderful weekend.
Sue
Arleen says
I watched the Voice in the US and what we interesting Blake Sheldon’s team has won three years in a row. One of thing I noticed that he was clever as he would tell the audience about each contestant so you really got to connect with them. They became real. He would tell their the story. Your video is right on. I also love to read Adrienne’s post as they are interesting and she keeps your interest, but I have to say so does yours. Stories allow us to relate in some form. Not only are videos interactive with the reader they are also wonderful to help with SEO
Sue Price says
Hi Arleen
It sounds like Blake Sheldon really did a good job in promoting his contestants. I think that is part of being a good coach, good promoter and it is him telling stories – like we said stories sell.
Thank you so much Arleen for saying I keep the interest of the reader too. I always think Adrienne is just so good at it. Stories definitely help us relate ah but I did not know they help with SEO too so thanks for that information.
Thanks for your comment Arleen. Have a great week.
Sue
Vijesh says
Hi Sue,
You have great point to tell regarding story telling, you know I am a great admirer in fact a follower of Jesus Christ. In Bible if we read all the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) we could notice that Jesus always uses parables (small stories) to those who come to listen to him. And you know what I tapped that key when I had started my teaching career. I have started teaching physics and you know what children hate Physics more than any other subject even I hated it when I was a student. I was desperate enough to make my class interesting and draw the attention of children and I got this tip of story telling from Jesus. So when I teach Archimedes principle, newtons laws or telephone by Graham bell I start off with there stories on how they invented them and you know what children love to hear them more than they love to hear the subject.
I apply the same principle in my blog too, if you have read any of my posts I write few stories now and then to inspire and draw attention of my audience and I love the response people give after reading those. Even I write few personal stories on how I started blogging and all because people love stories and it is easiest way to impart a concept to the reader.
As you have mentioned Adrienne she too is an awesome blogger who doesn’t tell stories separately but her posts do contain them hidden and well framed.
Thanks for this post Sue actually you have hit the bulls eye.
Regards
Vijesh.
Sue Price says
Hi Vijesh
I agree with you the Bible is full of stories and Jesus was an amazing story teller. I love his use of parables.
Oh Vijesh I wish I had a Physics teacher like you when I was a child. I was like you described and one of the kids that hated it. The teacher I had was just so boring. All of the class would laugh behind his back. I know that is not very kind but then children or young people are often not kind. I would love to learn now from someone teaching it like you. It is also interesting that you too hated it when you were a student and thought to use story telling when you teach.
I have visited your blog and know you use some stories there.I do think most people love a good story. Or for that matter any story that tells more about us. We all look for ways to connect with each other.
Adrienne is good at weaving in a story for sure.
Thanks for your awesome comment Vijesh and for sharing your physics story 🙂
Have a great week.
Sue
David Merrill 101 says
Storytelling is the key to relationship building, Sue. You’ve made that point quite eloquently in both your article and video.
I once taught History, and I did it largely through biographies. Students who were totally bored with “factual” history were fascinated with “biographical history”.
Case in point… many people would be bored to learn about the French Revolution, but many of those same people would have to read “Tale of Two Cities” without putting in down. Same history, same incidents… on factual, the other biographical fiction.
As for writing stories, especially interweaving them into your autoresponder newsletter, I think it’s one of those things you have to keep doing, until you start getting the knack for it.
I’d warn people about overdoing it, though. I’ve read far too many emails whose authors really think everybody cares about what trip they’re on and who they’ll be having lunch with tomorrow. That’s not a story, it’s pointless chatter.
Sue Price says
Hi David
Yes storytelling is key to relationship building before.
I had just responded to Vijesh comment and he talks about teaching physics and the use of stories. And now you share your history teaching example. I really relate to that David. When I was at school I thought history was just boring facts that were in the past. Now I so wish I had paid so much more attention and love novels that tell me more about what shaped us and our ancestors. I think for me maturity has a lot to do with it but also I am sure the teaching style back in my youth did not help.
You make a great point that we as marketers need to keep interweaving stories until we get the knack of it. It does take time. For me I am still unlearning my very formal accountant style of writing.
You make an excellent point David about the balance between telling a story and pointless chatter. I must say when I read that I smiled as I too see too many of the type you are referring to.
Thanks David for your awesome feedback.
Sue
Mary Stephenson says
Hi Sue
At first I thought nobody actually cared about my personal story, may be only if it relates directly to a problem them have. But in some way this is how it does become important. That is why so many relish in the big human mistakes movie stars make. They are actually vulnerable just like the average person. We all need to know that somehow we are not so different from each other. Even though we try to be an individual we still need that reassurance that we still belong.
Hearing that others have all the obstacles we face makes us not feel so odd and that we are actually okay. We are okay with all our flaws, because others that we admire also have many flaws and some that even surprise us. Then we know we are normal.
Mary
Sue Price says
Hi Mary
I think most of us felt like you in the beginning. Feeling like who cares about our story. The truth is we all have a story and it is important for us to tell it.
Your observation on movie stars making human mistakes is a perfect example. It is what sells magazines. The readers wanting to know the movie star and yes as you say to know they too are vulnerable and make mistakes. It is core to who we are as human beings.
I agree Mary when we feel like someone else has the same flaws then we do feel more normal.
Thanks for your comment Mary and have a great week.
Sue
Sylviane Nuccio says
Hi Sue,
Sorry for being so late here, but I had such another crazy past week with my computer gone for 3 days.
You are right, story telling works. I’m always trying to tell stories when I write, because I love it. I think that it makes the writing more enjoyable for the writer and the reading more enjoyable for the reader.
Another important thing about telling stories is that people will retain what you are trying to tell or teach them much better.
Thank you for this great topic, and have a fantastic week!
Sue Price says
Hi Sylviane
Ah excuses – no computer for 3 days! Just kidding. It is horrid without a computer and even though it is great getting a new one it is such a big job to change it all over. I know my last one took me a whole week.
I know you use stories well. Of course you are a writer 🙂
Yes people do retain what they here on stories much more than facts. I love in here that we have David telling us how he used to teach history and Vijesh Physics – both using stories. So much better for the students.
Thanks for making it here as I know you have had very busy week.
Sue
Nate Leung says
Hi Sue,
Everyone has an easy time remembering a story, but have a challenge when it comes to remembering facts.
Stories allow us as human beings to connect with other human beings. The fact that you are telling a story in your blog, I can relate to you.
Storytelling on video is the best way to get your message across. You can make so many new connections this way via the internet and globally as well.
I’m very thankful for making connections with people I wouldn’t be able to in my local marketplace.
Awesome article Sue. 🙂
Sue Price says
Hi Nate
I agree we sure do remember stories way more than facts. It is a great way to learn too.
And yes we do relate through our stories. I find the more people share the more I feel I know them.
I am with you on video too. It is such a wonderful way to have people feel they know us. I too love the internet for the same reason, connecting with people I would not have been able to. Being in Australia we are so far away it makes me feel a bit closer to everyone else.
Thanks for your feedback Nate.
Sue
Raena Lynn says
Hi Sue,
I enjoyed your video. I want to say I totally agree with you about Adrienne Smith. She is by far one of the best bloggers out there and her followers prove it. The main reason is her storytelling style. It seem so natural when she shares so people can relate easily. They always come back for more because her blog is interesting, engaging, and fun to visit. Besides, she’s a cool and awesome person too!
I attended the invisible funnel workshop in Washington DC last year by Daegan Smith. If anyone knows Daegan, he is the king of storytelling. One of the exercises we did during the workshop was to tell our story. How did we end up at a marketing workshop in Washington DC in the middle of August? The group was small so each of us had the advantage of personal critiques and one to one time with Daegan. When I reflect back on that workshop, the stories presented by each of us is what I instantly remember. Yes, there was a lot of training on marketing, writing copy, building sales funnels, technical tips etc., but the most impact of the workshop was the amazing and inspiring stories we listened to from each participant that day. We were in awe with some of them. We were shocked surprised, and inspired. Once everyone was finished sharing, all of us became closer and we felt like a team for the rest of the workshop because storytelling connected us.
Everyone has a story. Some are more dramatic than others. Some may involve some horrible circumstances, but some don’t, and that is okay. For a long time, I used to believe my story wasn’t dramatic enough, so I held back. Now? I’ve realized I cannot compare my story, whatever it is with another person. There is no comparison. Our personal story is just as profound and special as the next person because each of us is unique and no one else has experienced our lives. When we share, we are giving a gift to others. The people who can relate will appreciate it and we bond with others because we connect.
I also agree that David Wood and David Sharpe have done an incredible job using not only video, but email, community, and audio to spread their stories. Obviously, it’s very effective.
Thanks for sharing Sue. Have a great week!
Raena Lynn
PS Music rocks!
Sue Price says
Hi Raena
I knew you would agree with me about Adrienne. She does it so naturally. If you read her comment here it is hilarious.
That must have been an awesome experience to share in that small group with Daegan. I know he is a master. I also know what you mean about remembering the stories more than the “how to’s”. It is what we do remember and what we love to hear.
I also totally relate to you saying how close the group was once everyone had shared their story. I have seen that time and time again in workshops. Back in my days working with Kiyosaki and others we ran presentation workshops, as in presenting on stage. There were exercises where people had to share their own story. I observed that me and others were much happier to stand up and share facts or content than share ourselves. So most of us have it back to front.
I also totally relate to you saying you thought your story was not dramatic enough. I once said that to a mentor about mine and was asked if I wanted something horrible to happen so I had something to share. I got the message 🙂
We can only tell our own story as it is what we have. It does not matter how simple it is or how undramatic it is our story.
I think that is why we have bonded so well as a group in our online group. We share who we are.
Thanks for your awesome comment Raena.
Have a great week.
Sue
Charmie says
Telling a story these days have become a trend to attract more of the kind of users that we want. The narration in the form of a story has always ended up with fission reaction in the number of readers.
Thanks for penning down these stuffs.
Sue Price says
Hi Charmie
Yes story telling is being used to attract to us the customers we want to attract. Makes sense to me. Story telling has always been around and been used by great leaders now there are just more of us using and learning the skill.
Thanks for your comment here.
Sue