Getting storytelling right. by Jann Sabin
27.04.2017conversations
Most companies realize the importance of creating interactive customer relationships built around stories. Frequently this takes the form of describing you to yourself. I’m guessing this is to show you that they understand you. These descriptions are probably based on research into who the customer is, or who the customer they hope to acquire is. Then they describe this and hope that you relate. “That’s me,” you say to yourself!
For example: A1 Steak Sauce
“There are those who settle. Who compromise. Who set aside their dreams.”
“You are not those people. You’re not even a group of people. You’re one spectacular person.”
“You, sir, or madam, have always understood what it means to live…”
Actually, I think this is great copy! It establishes a conversational witty tone with lots of personality. I’m just not sure I like someone telling me who I am and congratulating me for being that person.
Today we are also being offered tons of inspiring advice:
Diet Coke: STAY EXTRAORDINARY
Corona: FIND YOUR BEACH
Cuervo: HAVE A STORY
Blu: TAKE BACK YOUR FREEDOM
This “we know you” approach lacks authenticity. It’s a tricky, transparent data-driven approach. But it’s on the right track in that it focuses on stories about you, not them.
If you want to see good examples of stories that focus on the product,rappers are a good place to look. And not just for the stories they tell, but the ways they get those stories out and connect with their audience. They have accomplished amazing bottom line results being resourceful. Their hard work and creativity paid off big time making them huge stars with big loyal fan bases, not to mention incredible amounts of money.
Consider Memphis rapper Juicy J. When he started out, he pressed his own mixtapes and sold them from his car. He convinced a car stereo store to carry them so people could buy them when they got a sound system. He released a song himself online promoting it with constant tweets and email blasts. It got over 37 million YouTube views and sold more than a million copies (Rolling Stone 9/12/13). That got Sony’s attention. He didn’t tell people he knew who they were, he showed them who he was.
Whether you base your storytelling on your company or on your customers, make it true. For a free consult on maximizing your story, click here.
