Written by: Vickie Sullivan | November 30, 2021
Use Your Story for a Bigger Cause
Wow. Talk about using your story. Photographer and author Brittany M. Powell used the demise of her business to launch The Debt Project last year. It’s a book about 99 people who owe money and why. With it, she attracted major media that most authors only dream about.
Why did major media outlets feature her book over others? From a message strategy perspective, Powell didn’t use her story to get the spotlight. She used her story as a springboard to highlight a bigger, universal message. She gave up being a storyteller and became a conduit instead.
The backstory: A renowned photographer whose work appeared in mass media such as National Geographic and the Washington post, Powell filed for bankruptcy in 2013. Instead of writing a book about her story (or just moving on), she combined that experience with her killer photography talent to tell a broader, more compelling perspective. (A story made more relevant because of the pandemic.)
Also, by putting other people in the spotlight, Powell became the person in the background whispering instead of the main storyteller. By moving the attention away from herself, two bigger messages got to shine: 1) debt can happen to anyone and 2) you are not alone. It’s these messages that attracted big media.
Listen: What All Conduits Focus On
This is a great example of how to use your story for a greater cause. By going beyond the storyteller role into becoming the conduit to rethink the status quo, Powell brought major media outlets to the table. It’s the difference between a typical book launch and starting a movement.
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