You know things. Like how storytelling is the way we’re wired to learn. To communicate. To empathize.  Yep, to sell, our ideas, our dreams.
You can’t sell it if you can’t tell it. It’s just part of our human DNA:
1. We learn (far faster)
2. and retain (far longer)
3. Through stories.

Not through packed slides and whiteboards of features and benefits, no matter how cool the info graphics. So, intellectually knowing this is true, why, why, why ever pitch or sell, without telling it as Story? Too hard? Not a writer or “storyteller,” you say? Your product or service “too complex” — too many facts, features and benefits to pack into every slide?

WELL, I WONDERED…how would I present the facts, features and benefits of WHY STORYTELLING WORKS SO SO MUCH MORE EFFECTIVELY? And know what I found? A classic story about it.  This story of Ben might blow your mind. Did mine.

STORY #1 A LITTLE BOY NAMED BEN: Paul Zak, director of the center of neuroeconomics at Claremont Graduate University, created this very human Story to tell his very neuroscience story.

“A compelling story with an emotional trigger alters our brain chemistry,
making us more trusting, understanding of others, and open to ideas.”
– Paul  Zak
“Research shows that the more you present facts to a user,
the more she questions the veracity of your argument.”
    Michael Gazzaniga, dir, SAGE Center, UCSB

Other Examples of Storytelling:
Here are some classic stories that trigger in the listener: 1. Riveted Attention Span; 2. Deep Empathy and Trust; 3. Human Longing for More.

STORY #1 CHANEL: Chanel tells its brand story through Coco Chanel’s human story. It isn’t a big leap to imagine how this became the emotional core for every Chanel customer-brand experience.

What makes Stories so behaviorally irresistible and intriguing to us humans?
Neuroscience shows that our brains are story-hardwired. We literally NEED stories
for us to feel joy, to be social, to gain an advantage, even to survive.

STORY #2 TOMS: uses Story to raise awareness of children who have no shoes. Consider how Brand Positioning can come to life through a culturally authentic social Position that the brand takes.

So, would you agree that it makes sense to tap your power of Empathy — and update your training in “Selling” to be about “Helping” — Helping another person in pain solve a problem you have a solution for?

Four Tips to Great Storytelling
1. Intriguing Hook to start story, so listener wants to hear more.
2. Minimalist Story Form to keep listener’s attention from wandering.
3. Before and After to show the pain/problem…and value of your product to solve it.
4. Happy Ending to release dopamine, leaving listener feeling good and brand associated with the story.

Bonus Story Tip: To change behavior and open minds, it can help to have fun, to play! Seriously. See video.

Latest Update: Nov 04, 2023