Storytelling is one of the oldest, most common forms of communication.
The use of story predates written language and crosses all cultures.
Everybody loves a good story.
There are many different types of stories, including items from the news, entertainment media, cultural events.
The most powerful story you can tell, however, is the one that comes from you.
Why tell a story?
Business on the internet has a certain impersonal quality to it.
We’re each sitting with our laptop or searching on our smart phone or iPad or other mobile device. Even as we find blogs and websites across the globe, post comments, participate in forums, in many ways we’re living in our own little cocoon.
So when you’re creating content, you want to look for ways of letting your visitor know there’s a real person sitting behind these words. These words belong to someone.
- Add a human element
- Establish trust
- Create interest
- Make the connection
A personal story – even a brief one – can accomplish all four of these goals.
What is personal story?
Anything that comes directly from your own experience.
If you don’t have a story of your own that fits your topic, you can “borrow” one from someone else, and use it to good effect.
If you choose to use someone else’s story, don’t claim it as your own. Your readers will enjoy hearing about this crazy thing that happened to your Aunt Mable, or your spouse, or your favorite online guru.
3 Tips for using stories in blog posts
1. A story can be of any length
From using a couple of sentences about your experience as a lead-in, to an entire post devoted to this particular story.
2. The story must serve a purpose
While it may be tempting to type in that funny thing your dog did this morning, if it’s not related to your topic, resist it. On the other hand, if your site is about dog training, use it!
3. The story must be truthful
In other words, you’re not making it up just to make a point. It really did happen to you (or your spouse, or Aunt Mable).
Tell your stories!
Look for the connectors from your life to your business, and back again.
Have an experience with using personal story in your blog posts?
Leave me a comment. I’d love to hear about it!
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Hi Jan,
Great post you have here discussing delivering messages in which others are able to relate. Whenever personal experience is shared, it draws the interest of a reader to identify and imagine being in the writer’s shoes.
Although there is specific focus as to the reason for the article or blogpost, including a personal experience first-hand can always captivate the reader’s attention
Thanks for sharing here.
Aloha,
Nelly
Nelly Paekukui recently posted..Generations Timeline
Hi Nelly,
Thanks for your comment and your thoughts on personal story.
I want to encourage anyone who reads through these comments, to click on the link above to your thought provoking post: Generations Timeline. Well worth a read.
Make your day a good one!
Jan