Traditional media used to hold a monopoly over public opinion. Although TV, radio, and print are still a significant part of mass media, social media has sparked many changes, including an evolution in how companies market themselves.
In addition, social platforms have allowed every user to share their thoughts, doubts, discoveries, and conclusions regarding all sorts of topics, influencing and even shaping the opinion of those who follow them.
In the digital space, everything revolves around content. But not just any old type of content. It has to be interesting and unique content. People don't want to waste their time on boring posts. They want something they can learn from or something that entertains them.
You may think, "But we are the XYZ company offering a product or a service, how can we educate or entertain?" Well, yes, you can! First, ask yourself what your company's mission is, what you want to achieve with your product or service. Why did you develop it? The answers to all these questions are the key to connecting you with your ideal customer.
The thing is, we all turn to some product or service when we have a problem; we look for a solution. So here's when your company steps in. You have a product, and a customer has a problem; your product is a solution to that problem— it's a piece of cake.
But, the customer will not know you have a solution if you don't tell them. So what should you do? It's simple. Tell the story. In fact, as our guest says, storytelling is a superpower only human beings possess, so if screenwriters, novelists, or poets can evoke emotions, why shouldn't businesses do the same?
In today's episode of Recorded Content, Park Howell, the story strategist, speaker, and podcast host, joins Tristan Pelligrino. Park is also a co-author of "The Narrative Gym: Introducing the ABT Framework for Messaging and Communication," a book he wrote alongside Dr. Randy Olson. Park and Tristan discuss the positive influence storytelling can have on business growth. They also talk about the ABT (And, But, Therefore) framework and how it can be used to change the way companies create their content.
According to our guest, storytelling is a skill almost anyone can learn; it all depends on how determined a person is. In fact, high-quality storytelling is based on simplicity. That's why he believes in the ABT framework and its success.