Don't you just love watching a good movie or reading a good book where you get submerge into the story? We all love a good story so why do we forget this principal when we start to do business?
Let me ask you... what's your business story? Do you know how much power you business story have?
Writing your business story isn't hard you just need to sit down and do it. Here are three tips to help you get started.
Tip 1: Be consistent
Business storytelling is an integral part of your company’s success. It allows you to build a deep relationship with your customers, increase your brand awareness and ramp up revenue. You should be consistent with your stories across all social media platforms, emails and any newsletters that are sent out, this includes branding, font, colours and your tone of voice, it is part of the storytelling process and inconsistencies can show through.
We know how we can connect when someone is telling us a story and that it helps people see how you work, run your business and build trust with them. We are creatures of habit and if we find a business we can connect to and that offer us what we want and deliver it in the way we want then we are onto a winner and sharing your story builds that bond and trust.
Tip 2: Find a good hook
Before you start writing your business story, you first need to know what kind of business story you want to tell. Is it about how the business started and how it’s grown? Is it being honest about mistakes that have been made and how you have learnt from them? Best advice is to share a story that people will be able to relate to and can comment on. Make it attractive! Do not go overboard on details, just keep it nice and simple, memorable and make your point. Us humans like to hear a good old fashioned story we can relate to and therefore can engage with.
A hook is a term for using a ‘catchy’ opening line or phrase that will capture your audience’s attention. You could even try a different number of hooks. Below is a list of just a few to get you started:
Try starting with an interesting or surprising fact about your business
An interesting question at the start will engage people and get them thinking about the up and coming story they are about to read
Making a strong statement right from the get-go
Remember: Be descriptive but not overly complicated with the words.
Tip 3: Use the right tone of voice
Using the right tone means tailoring your story to your target audience and you should really know who your target is. It’s simply not good practice to share a story about marketing to non-marketing types and therefore waste your posts and time. Ask yourself some basic questions about your audience and adapt your story to them. Once you have written something, read it through the eyes of your customers and ask "So what?". If you get a meaningful answer then you're on the right track.
Be confident with your writing and be confident with the tone. This can help assure the read your story is important and warrants their time taken to read it. Try using words in your story that convey confidence such as “will” and “can” rather than words like “in my opinion” and “ I think”. Try using phrases that will not undermine the importance of your message like “I know you are busy but …..”.
Be positive! Try and avoid using such words as “cannot” or “unable” as this gives a negative and non-confident message. Try to focus on your company's strengths and the message you are sending and finally be courteous and respectful. Do not lecture or use language that would suggest the reader is unreasonable. Be very mindful not to offend.
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