Written by: Vickie Sullivan | October 15, 2019
The Power of the First-Person Experience
Blinding flash of the obvious: Stories are flooding the content marketing space nowadays. And that raises the bar on how to make our stories stand out in a crowd. This Fast Company article is a great example of how to use a first-person experience strategically.
Here’s what makes this approach unique (and, of course, we can use it, too):
• Answer a big question. Many of our stories are simply vignettes with a point. This author attaches her experience to a bigger question that goes against conventional wisdom: What if you go against the system and fail? This question frames the story in a compelling way, and it entices us to lean in to learn more. The question – not the story – is the focus.
Listen: How to Go Against Conventional Wisdom and Still Be Credible
• Emphasize one thing. Many storytellers get off track, trying to cram too many “lessons” into the story. This article zeros in on one idea – finding a system that fits – and tells the story from that vantage point. Not only is the story focused, but it also helps us remember the point so we can apply it later.
What do these tactics have in common? Focus. Let’s go beyond the standard lessons-learned approach in our stories and focus our experiences around one central idea. Given all the stories out there, being strategic is no longer a luxury.
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