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Three Basic Elements of Content that Spreads -- It's All About Storytelling

Three Basic Elements of Content that Spreads -- It's All About Storytelling | Just Story It | Scoop.it
Have you ever asked yourself why a specific blog post stopped you dead in your tracks? Did you truly feel the author's pain? Maybe the post was so cap
Karen Dietz's insight:

Well here is a fab post that summarizes biz storytelling into 3 points of view so you can grow your business. If you need a refresher or just some inspiration as 2013 unfolds, you will enjoy this article.


The author Paul Jun sums it up the process of crafting biz stories into results as follows:

  1. Be willing to be vulnerable. He cites Brene Brown's TED talk on vulnerability which is a masterpiece and must-view video for storytellers. Just search this site for Brene Brown and you'll go right to the link. Or click the link in the article :)
  2. Share stories -- they enchant your audience. Yep! And I like Jun's story that he shares, along with a link to Seth Godin to explain why biz storytelling is so important.
  3. Focus on the why -- not the what. Storytelling is about creating meaning. When you share the 'why' it inspires action. Anwer the few questions he poses and you'll be good to go for crafting stories that people re-share.



Now there are actually 4 parts to Jun's post, not 3. The last one is 'practice'. You get better over time at crafting and sharing your stories. So keep practicing! 


As Jun says at the end, "Remind yourself of two things: You can either write content that is dry, safe, and has no personality, or you can write something daring and transparent — something that will shake the floor beneath your reader’s feet. You have this power within you. All you need to do is use it."


This review was written by Karen Dietz for her curated content on business storytelling atwww.scoop.it/t/just-story-it

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East Palo Alto adds personal touch to planning process by asking residents to tell their stories

East Palo Alto adds personal touch to planning process by asking residents to tell their stories | Just Story It | Scoop.it
As they draft a new Comprehensive General Plan, East Palo Alto officials are collecting oral histories of residents — a process praised as a novel approach to…
Karen Dietz's insight:

Love this story! It's about a city using the power of storytelling to chart their future. Hooray!


Don't you wish more organizations -- whether businesses, nonprofits, or governments -- would do the same? I know everyone's experience would be much richer with better outcomes, too.


My only little criticism of the process the City of East Palo Alto is using are the questions they are asking. They are OK. But if they reaslly wanted stories they would be using story prompts to make sure they really heard stories. The questions they are now using will get them information or opinions and maybe not stories.


Instead of asking, "How do you make use of the city's parks?" they could ask, "Tell me about some of the best times you've had in the city's parks..."  The first question gets you information like, "We go picnicing, we use the playground, I like running in the park..."


If you ask the second question you actually get a very rich story that tells you more. "I really like to run in the park every morning. The scenery is beautiful and I like how the city replants its flowers each season so the park is constantly changing and pleasant to be in. I run with my buddies. It is easy to find parking and we can hang out at the picnic tables afterward."


You get the idea. We now have meaningful experiences to help guide decision-making about plant maintenance, parking facilities, places to congregate, etc. that we never would have gotten by asking the first information-based question.


So if you plan to do something similar in your organization, focus on the "Art of the Question" and investigate story prompts and the Appreciative Inquiry process for more help.


Many thanks to fellow curator Bill Palladino @LocalEconGuy for sending this article my way!


This review was written by Karen Dietz for her curated content on business storytelling atwww.scoop.it/t/just-story-it

Tribe Pictures's curator insight, January 16, 2:26 PM

Story telling makes for good city planning

Karen Dietz's comment, January 17, 4:30 PM
It certainly does! And it is a much more rewarding experience for all involved.