7 Important Tips for Business Storytelling
Every business has a story to tell, but it’s not always easy to define your values and clearly share what makes your business unique. That’s where a storytelling strategy comes in! As Forbes explains, business storytelling is “the cohesive narrative that weaves together the facts and emotions that your brand evokes.” In today’s digitally driven environment, businesses need a personal connection to stand out, which is why storytelling can be so powerful. These tips will help your company create a personal connection with your audience and ultimately drive revenue.
1. Find Your Business Story
First of all, you need to know what makes your business unique and decide what story you want to tell. These 10 tips for finding your business story will help get you started. Consider the origin of your business, the problems you help customers solve and your brand values.
2. Know Your Audience
Before telling your story, you need to know whom you’ll be telling it to. When the content you are sharing resonates closely with your audience, they are more likely to take action and support your business.
Get to know your audience by diving into demographic information, understanding the problems they have and looking at the people who already engage with you on social media. Clearly define your target audience and keep them in mind when telling your story.
3. Develop a Storytelling Strategy
When done well, storytelling can seem effortless. However, there should be a strategy behind business storytelling. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when developing a successful storytelling plan:
· Who is listening to your story?
· What is your core message?
· What is your objective? (Sales, brand awareness, etc.)
· What is your call to action?
· Where will you tell your story? (Website, social media, video, live, etc.)
4. Be Authentic and Make a Personal Connection
Your audience is made up of real people who want to feel an emotional connection to your brand. Stories are a powerful communication tool and can help build trust with consumers, which increases the chance of them purchasing your product or service. Tell your story in a way that lets your customers know that you relate to them and understand their needs. Be authentic and create a relationship without sounding “salesy.”
5. Share Your Mission & Values
Business storytelling should communicate your company’s mission and values in order to create a deeper connection with your audience. If your company stands for something that a consumer also feels passionate about, they are much more likely to support your business.
This is also your chance to share more about your philanthropic efforts. Cause marketing is a great way to promote your business while also raising awareness and funds for a nonprofit that you are passionate about. People like to support companies who actively help other people and the environment.
6. Find the Right Platform to Tell Your Story
Now that you have your story, it’s time to tell it to the world! There are numerous ways to reach your audience, including email marketing, social media, traditional advertising, live storytelling and more.
Rather than spreading yourself too thin, find out where your audience is hanging out and create a strong presence on those platforms. Are you trying to reach an older crowd who spends most of their time on Facebook? Millennials who are constantly on Instagram? A younger generation testing out the next up-and-coming app? This is an important part of knowing your audience and understanding which outlets are most popular with them.
7. Be Consistent
When it comes to business storytelling, consistency is key. Your brand voice and message should remain the same across all platforms.
Whether someone sees your Facebook post in their newsfeed or is reading your email newsletter, they should instantly know that it’s from you. Consistent branding also includes the imagery, colors and fonts used for marketing materials. These visual cues help consumers recognize your brand and business right away.
Business storytelling is an integral part of your company’s success. It allows you to connect with consumers on a deeper level, increase brand awareness and ultimately drive revenue. If storytelling isn’t your forte, contact us! Here at The Storyteller Agency, we are passionate about telling stories and making your business stand out.
