Storytelling has become a crucial aspect of modern business, allowing organizations to establish a unique brand identity that resonates with their target audience. However, simply telling a story is not enough. To truly engage your audience and differenciate yourself from your competitors, you must incorporate as many "plaits" or "braids" as possible into your narratives.
Each "plait" represents a one-two combo of a detail that is relatable and one that is remarkable. Layering these details together, like a delicious loaf of raisin challah bread, allows you to create a compelling narrative that captures your audience's attention, builds brand loyalty, and drives growth.
In this article, we will explore the power of braided storytelling for business and provide practical tips and strategies on how to incorporate relatable and remarkable details into your narratives to achieve business success.
Stick around at the end for a powerful example of a great plait.
How To Use Braided Storytelling for Business Success
Every time you wish to interact with your audience is a great opportunity to use plaits. I suggest that you always try to begin with a plait that shares something personal about yourself, followed by something that makes you stand out or is extraordinary.
By sharing personal details, you stand a better chance of being relatable. Of course, that makes you likable, and that's a great goal for any marketing effort.
Then, the extraordinary detail you share makes you remarkable. That, of course, is the key to any long-term marketing success because you are now remarkable.
So, a good plait makes you relatable and remarkable. And it can be done in a few sentences.
In her 2018 Golden Globes acceptance speech, Oprah Winfrey began with a personal statement that made her relatable to the audience: "In 1964, I was a little girl sitting on the linoleum floor of my mother's house in Milwaukee watching Anne Bancroft present the Oscar for Best Actor at the 36th Academy Awards. She opened the envelope, and said five words that literally made history: 'The winner is Sidney Poitier.'"
Winfrey followed with a statement establishing her influence and remarkable significance on that stage: "So I want all the girls watching here, now, to know that a new day is on the horizon! And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say 'Me too' again."
This is an amped-up example, of course. I use it to make the contrast of a good plait clear.
Why is Braided Storytelling Important for Your Business?
Engage your Audience: By incorporating relatable and remarkable details into your narratives, your business can capture your audience's attention, evoke emotions, and keep them engaged.
Build Brand Loyalty: When customers feel emotionally connected to your brand, they are more likely to become loyal advocates who continue to use tyour product or services and spread the word to their friends and family.
Differentiate from Competitors: Braided storytelling allows your business to stand out from your competitors by highlighting your unique selling points, values, and brand identity.
Drive Growth: By creating a memorable narrative that resonates with your target audience, your business can attract new customers, retain existing ones, and ultimately drive growth.
How to Incorporate Braided Storytelling into Your Business Narratives
Identify Your Plaits: To create a compelling narrative, you must identify the "plaits" or details that are either relatable or remarkable. This requires a good understanding of your ideal client's needs and motivations.
Braiding Your Plaits: Once you have identified your "plaits", it's time to braid them together. A great story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and should be structured to capture the audience's attention, build suspense, and deliver a satisfying conclusion.
The middle of the story should not include as many plaits. The middle of the story is more about your audience and should deliver the relevant information that will best answer their questions or teach them something helpful.
Use Emotion: Emotions are at the heart of every great story. By tapping into your audience's emotions, you can create a deeper connection that goes beyond the rational benefits of your product or service.
Keep it Simple: A great story doesn't need to be complex or overly technical. In fact, the simpler the story, the more likely it is to resonate with your audience.
Use Visuals: Visuals are a powerful tool that can enhance your storytelling and bring your narrative to life. Whether it's through images, videos, or animations, visuals can help create a more immersive and memorable experience for your audience. It can be as simple as holding up your product in front of the camera when doing a video post or including a graph in a blog post.
Practice: Like any skill, storytelling takes practice. Think about your plaits and write them down on index cards. If you can instantly recall aThe more you practice incorporating braided details into your narratives, the more confident and effective you will become at delivering your message.
FAQs about Braided Storytelling for Business
Q: Can braided storytelling be used for any type of business?
A: Yes, braided storytelling can be used for any type of business, regardless of industry or size.
Q: How can braided storytelling help businesses stand out from their competitors?
A: By incorporating relatable and remarkable details into your narratives, businesses can differentiate themselves from their competitors and create a memorable narrative that resonates with their target audience.
Q: What are some examples of relatable or remarkable details
A: I'm glad you asked. 😉
At the beginning of your article, video, or post, try to say something that makes you relatable. Then, immediately share something that makes you remarkable.
Example:
When I worked as a boy in my father's diner, I washed dishes and loved the stories that the waitresses shared with me about their customers when they were bussing their tables. That love of stories served me very well later when I became one of the youngest video editing supervisors at CNN Headline news in Atlanta.
Note: If I opened with the remarkable- I became a very young supervisor at CNN, I may easily lose many audience members who will interpret that as a huge brag.
In conclusion:
The power of braided storytelling for business cannot be overstated. By incorporating relatable and remarkable details into your narratives, you can engage your audience, build brand loyalty, differentiate from your competitors, and ultimately drive growth.
If you want to learn more about crafting your perfect story and plaits, don't hesitate to reach out to me on LinkedIn. Together, we can create a narrative that captures your audience's attention and helps you achieve your business goals.
Let's start braiding!