Features and blogging

Telling stories is a hot topic these days, something we’re all expected to do across our websites, social media and promotional content. But for some of us it’s hard to know where to start. I asked Angela The Story Chef, a PR consultant, to show us how it’s done.

What draws you into reading something? Is it a headline? Is it a picture? Did you know that on average we’re exposed to at least 10,000 communications daily? If we’re receiving so many pieces of information, how can we possibly take them all in? When it comes to writing good communications, drawing your reader into your message is just the beginning of your problems. If you’re successful and they decided to pick your blog, article or sales post, how do you encourage them to stay the course and find out what you have to say?

Once upon a time… Now I have your attention, let’s begin! Sharing stories is a magical way to connect with your audience and a great means to teach, influence and inspire people. A good story gently introduces the reader into the beginning, before navigating to the climax and reinforcing perfect resolutions for dilemmas in the conclusion.
Acquiring the magic of a story requires a special kind of thinking. If you’re a small business owner, as well as being the CEO, you’re probably the marketing and accounts department as well, and time is scarce. Many of us are very modest too, when it comes to telling the tale of how we began. My advice is don’t hold back, share your news and excite your customers, tell them the story of your business – there is usually far more to talk about than you think.
Read on for a few Story Chef ideas to help you find yours:

Your business – Consider your starting point. What makes it interesting and unique? Perhaps it’s YOU! Do you do things differently to others in your field? Why did you set up?
Your team – How did you create your business? Who are your stakeholders? You might be a solopreneur, but even small businesses rarely exist without some support services. Who are they? Is there something you can share about your teamwork?
Daily stuff – What’s happening in your industry that’s key to your success? Are your operations connected to health, life or death? Who are your suppliers?
Value – Is the heart of your business significantly different? What’s new and unusual about your product or services? Be bold and share!
People – Do you connect emotionally with customers? Are you changing lives? Have you revealed a new social trend? What are people saying about your business?

If you can find a WOW factor, you can find a story. Be unique and find a first; it’s fine to be disruptive, intuitive and record-breaking. So go on! Begin your list of story ideas and get sharing into your mediums. If you don’t start, you’ll never know how newsworthy your story could be.

As Angela The Story Chef, I love to find unique stories to share. I run regular Online Masterclasses on Visibility and the True Story Recipes group programme to help small business tell their tales. I also work individually with clients to create a story and plan PR tactics. To find out more, pop me an email.