Story Telling

A few years ago, marketing your product or service online cost hundreds (if not, thousands) of dollars with a slick web design, buying banner ads, hiring a SEO (search engine optimization) expert, and buying ad space with Google.

Today, you can get the same (if not, better) results through social media marketing. Contrary to popular belief, marketing using social tools and platforms is more than simply launching a Facebook fan page, Twitter profile, and offering unique discounts to your followers and fans. You have to tell and share your story.

The Power of Storytelling

Once upon a time a young man wanted to rule the world with his multi-million dollar ideas. He was into video-games so he started to host video-game tournaments at his college. He tried to get sponsorships from Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony but they all rejected him. He figured he could raise the capital he needed by launching another project, a DVD magazine, but that failed too. This young man went to college for digital design and decided to go back to his roots as a graphic designer. He enjoyed a bit of success as he became the “go-to” guy to handle graphic and moderate web design needs.

As the young man matured he noticed a need within his community for other “boot strapping” entrepreneurs to learn how to be efficient, wise marketers, and over all become successful without get-rich-quick schemes. So, he started a seminar series empowering, equipping, and inspiring entrepreneurs to success. His name and accolades for his seminars spread across the land. He was invited to speak at conferences and business functions around the mid-south at the ripe age of 24.

A few years later the young man decided to share his wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of entrepreneurship with the world and launched a blog. That blog quickly became the number one Christian entrepreneur’s blog for small business, marketing, and social media help. To this day the young man’s name reaches far within the depths of cyber space, his blog continues to help others, it grows at an exceptional monthly rate, and he still enjoys video-games. . .

Why Share Your Story?

Of course, the story above is about me and I love sharing that story of my life because it’s what got me to where I am today. People enjoy hearing it and trust me to handle their small business needs because I used the story to bring them into understanding who I am instead of trying to “pitch them.”

Traditional marketing tells us to take one message and spread it consistently across different mediums to sell our products and services. Social media marketing is about sharing a message that’s within YOU and reaching people online. By making your story the core of your product or service marketing versus a message, celebrity, or fancy logo, you open the door for people to engage with your company on deeper levels than ever before.

Ways to Tell Your Story

Blogging – By far, the best way to tell your story is in helpful, digestible (short), blog posts. Blogging allows you to extend your message long after a TV spot or radio ad. I love blogging and I feel free every-time I post good content. Here are a few suggestions to telling your story through blogging;

• Use lessons learned as the basis for your blog posts – you’ll heal and help someone along the way.
• Experiment and switch up your blogging voice to tell a story in a different way (try humor, list styled posts, debatable topics, etc.).
• A powerful way to start your blog post is to tell an actual story.

Resource: Check out my presentation, 4 Pillars to Building a Successful Blog, for more help growing a successful blog.

Social Networks (Twitter, Facebook, or wherever you network online) – Social networks are great places to share your story because what you share can be shared by everyone else. When you share something really useful or good for the community it gives it back to you by having your content go viral. This act increases your reach, grows your network, and puts your message in front of eyeballs you never would have reached any other way.

• Share articles, information, links, videos, and other fresh content that enhances your story.
• Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there; give your best advice, tips, and share your past experiences.
• Share your story! – let people know who you are and invite them to connect. You’ll gain more followers, fans, friends, and a greater community because of your openness.

Video & Audio (Youtube, Blogtalkradio, etc.) – Creating videos and podcasts brings another dimension to your story telling because you can share your story, the story of others, unfold the story of the world around you, and more!

• Record video of you giving your best advice, tips, sharing fresh information, or even “how-to’s”
• Conduct interviews and give your viewers or listeners a different story that relates to your message.

Want my best advice for maximizing blogs and social media for your business? Visit the Best Of page of this blog.

The End of One Story and the Beginning of Another

Story telling is no doubt the key to success in social media marketing. It’s the glue that keeps people engaged with your brand and business. How do YOU use social media to tell YOUR story? What platforms do you share your story on? If you’re new to social media marketing how can we all help YOU understand this concept? Post your questions, comments, or concerns in the comments section below.

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