The Art of Storytelling
According to the books, storytelling is an artform that passes knowledge, culture, and experiences from one person to another. And storytelling exists all around us; it’s basically everything we know about everything. As a content creator, influencer, or any digital entity, storytelling is an integral part of your identity.
We’re in the digital age, and thus, our dealings, channels of communication, and entertainment mostly run through this medium. As creators, you are storytellers at heart, in every photo you post, article you write, and piece of content that you craft. There is a story behind everything, and we’re here to show you that you can use storytelling to captivate your audience, evoke emotion, and leave an impression that lasts. Let’ get into it.
Why tell stories?
Stories bridge the gap between creators and their viewers. You are building a deeper relationship between the two by allowing the audience to see you as more personable and relatable. When you share your experiences, wins, and losses, you make it easier for people to empathize with you, attaching a bond to you and your content.
Telling stories makes your content more memorable and easier to return to and look forward to. Facts and statistics are great, but they can impart a feeling of dryness and make your content stale. You need more than just numbers.
The best part about storytelling is that it can set your content apart from other creative identities in the industry. Your stories are yours, and that alone is enough to draw distinctions between your content and any other.
“You are your own story.”
How to go by it
You can introduce characters that are compelling and that your audience can connect with. Give them depth and goals in life, this will make them all the more interesting to interact with. The idea is to build and center them around your content; your niche, target audience, and brand identity should all be considered when doing this. A great example of a content creator who does this is Chelsi Shikongo.
Create a narrative arc for your story. This means that your story should have a place of beginning and follow some form of storyline. You can even take it a step further and build anticipation, draw conflicts, and basically add elements that will have your viewers on the edge of their seats. You don’t have to create an entire production, but you can try.
Implement visual storytelling and let facets such as your images, videos, and graphics tell the story along with your words. You can explore various formats like Ask Me Anything, Day In My Life, vlogs, and so much more.
You can also collaborate your stories with other creators. This would be a great opportunity to explore new viewers, share ideas, and have even more fun. Never limit yourself.
Remember that storytelling is something that can’t be contained in one form or another. It is a versatile approach to how you can improve your content, and it can definitely be adapted to your style and niche. Whether you vlog, blog, or generally just create, storytelling is for you.
By: Ututjinda James Kavendjaa