Want to get in on a little secret?  It’s actually not a little secret; it’s quite a well-known concept.  Big companies know this and use it often.  Smaller businesses, however, tend to overlook it.  It’s using storytelling in your blog posts.  Actually, not just blog posts, but marketing in general.  We’ll stick to blogs for now, perhaps storytelling in marketing will come in a later blog post.

How is Storytelling Used?

Stories can be woven into any part of your writing, but they’re not just there for filler.  While you do need a certain word count for maximum SEO pull (latest studies say at least 1,200 words – longer is better, but don’t neglect those quick 250-word blogs that hit hard), you want to ensure the words have impact.  Don’t tell a story merely to bulk up your blog; each piece of information should be used to enhance the story.

Peruse the ideas on 6 Ways to Turn a Good Story into a Great Story.  Tip three talks about throwing in some random details.  For example, when I was in high school, I was involved in massive rollover accident.  A group of friends and I were heading to the Pryor Mountains to hunt rattlesnakes, and we blew a tire just outside of Laurel, Montana.  The Bronco swerved into oncoming traffic, narrowly missing other vehicles, flipped, and rolled three times while Baby One More Time played on the radio.

Find your “Green Honda” moments – they’re what’s going to make your blog relatable.

Why is it So Powerful?

You need your audience to trust you.  The fastest way to make them trust you is to relay a heavy-hitting personal story into your blogs.  Maybe it’s the story of why you walk with a limp.  Perhaps it’s a bit about why you speak with a stutter.  Maybe it’s a funny bit about how you met your spouse.  Perhaps it’s an inspirational one about saving a dog from the highway.

People love to connect via stories.  As soon as you create that narrative through storytelling, those reading your blog become invested in what you have to say.  They’re eager to learn more, and excited to become a part of that story – weaving their own and building a new story that involves both of you.

What Should you Keep in Mind?

Now before you jump into your storytelling, there are a few things to keep in mind to make these things hit extra hard.

Hook ‘Em – Start with a good hook right away.  Don’t drag them on through inane stories of how you ate Mac ‘n’ Cheese, then went swimming, then ate a popsicle… unless it’s integral to the story of course.

Their Story – As you design your story, make it all about the reader.  This is the tricky part, but when you can tell a story, even if you’re the main character, weave it so the reader is the hero.  Ideally, they’ll end up feeling like they’re not quite there, but with your help they can be amazing!

Conflict and Resolve – Nobody likes an open loop.  Set up the conflict, aggravate it, and then resolve it.  A trick to keep them hanging on for longer is to open the loop at the beginning, but then close it at the end.  Even subconsciously they’ll desire that closure and stick around a bit longer.

Paint a Picture – When storytelling, you want to show them what’s going on, make them feel like they’re right there.  However, when wrapping that up and moving on to the factual bits, summaries and fewer filler words is better.

FOCUS! – One story per blog please.  Otherwise, you confuse everyone, including yourself.  I’ve tried to find stories I know I’ve written about in the past, but they were buried in a tangentially related blog post.  Keep it on topic.

There are so many other tidbits, rules, and pointers, but these are some of the highlights.  Good writing focuses on a lot of factors, but brings them all together.

Where to Find a Storytelling Blogger?

AI can’t tell your stories for you.  It can hardly even capture your voice.  Using AI to write blogs can certainly spin a fabricated story, but when readers catch on that it’s all made up, more harm than good comes from it.

That leaves a pickle.  Where do you find a good storytelling blogger.  One with decades of experience that can woo in the clients your seeking?

Okay, you got me.  Whether you’re looking for someone to help you write blogs, or a ghostwriter to write your book for you, find some time on my calendar and let’s talk about your situation and what it would take to make you succeed.