Do not undervalue the benefit of a longer, more detailed story in providing learning experiences. Anecdotes and “training fables” can be very effective and they do have their place. If you can work in a longer story, though, you can have greater emotional involvement. That is the most effective memory resource of all.
Here is what I love most about this post -- its reminder that longer stories are just as important to share as short anecdotes.
In today's short-attention span world, the prevailing notion is that people have no tolerance for longer stories -- especially online. Balderdash, I say!
What anyone needs to pay attention to is finding the right places for sharing those longer stories. A few questions to ask yourself are:
- What is my purpose in sharing this story?
- What work do I want this story to do?
- What is the best channel (on-line channels & off-line channels) for sharing this story?
- If this longer story is going to be shared on-line, how do I need to prep my audience so they are ready to listen to it?
Read this short article to discover how the author crafted and shared his longer story. And don't sell yourself (or your audience) short by only going for those quickie stories!
Via Kathy Hansen