Storytelling Part One
Storytelling has been a part of humanity since we first gathered in tribes. We told stories to explain the world we saw and share our culture. We continue to tell and retell the greatest stories of our culture. Stories are the most powerful delivery tool of information. Instead of gathering around a flickering fire to tell our stories, we gather around our screens. Stories convey meaning. Stories are dynamic. Telling stories allows our target audience to be more engaged and receptive to the ideas we are presenting.
Why did I begin this post talking about stories and storytelling? It is my attempt to invite you a hero’s journey. A journey to discover why it is important to make our target audience the true heroes of our stories. When we make ourselves the mentor, to our target audience, we guide, give confidence, and give insight that the path chosen is the proper path. We provide those needed magical gifts to overcome their fears and join us on the journey.
It has become the norm to design and write websites as reports not stories. Websites are not reports. Website should not convey only information, websites should also convey experiences. Blending both creates the perfect layering of information and story. The reason to tell a story is to create the desire and then allow the facts to fill those desires. After all isn’t the goal of your website or other digital media to communicate your ideas, help people understand your ideas and persuade your target audience to act?