Written by: Vickie Sullivan | March 20, 2018
Turn Your Story Into a Rally Cry
This just in from the “atta girl” file: Tarana Burke, founder of the #metoo movement is writing a memoir. Her upcoming book (due in 2019) is Light Enters: The Founding of the ‘Me Too’ Movement.
I totally get it. She wants to use her story for the greater good. But this begs a bigger question: Is just telling your story enough to launch a platform?
Sometimes it is. A founder’s story is a great source for emotional context. It creates a “back story” that expands the “why” and creates a stronger bond around a cause. This is great if your platform is already famous and you want to use the attention to keep the momentum up. This is what Burke is doing here.
As a brand strategist, though, I see many talented authors assume their story alone is enough. Unfortunately, it isn’t. Stories that turn into platforms need one more thing: a rally cry. That one idea that is simple enough to share but profound enough to cut through the clutter.
Listen: Vickie’s strategy for a rally cry
This is easier said than done. And it’s why too many smart people with compelling stories don’t get attention they deserve. They start off strong but end with platitudes that everyone has heard.
In this crazy marketplace, stories with platitudes will not help you stand out. Instead, let the story be more than inspiration. With a good rally cry, your story can be a force to serve the greater good.
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