Long before social media, TV, radio and even books, people told stories. Storytelling is one of the oldest and most powerful ways for people to communicate and learn. In fact, good storytellers know how to activate our imagination and engage all our senses and emotions to create lasting memories and encourage specific behaviours.
That’s right…storytelling is connected to memory and emotion on a very physical level. When we tell stories, we create a picture for the listener. When you create these images in a person’s brain, you are tapping into their visual cortex, a deeper part of the brain with better, or even permanent, retention. And that’s where stories, from a business perspective, become more interesting.
The reasons for using stories in business are no different than the reasons we use stories in other places—to educate, to relate information in a memorable way, to engage others, and to create an emotional impact that leaves a lasting impression of you and your message. You can easily craft memorable and meaningful stories for your customers using the tips below. Basing your stories on real events you have personally experienced, or heard about from others, is a great place to start.
All good stories have a beginning, a middle and an end. And each of these parts should contain specific information. It might help to think of a story like a meal…first you set the table, then you serve the food and finally you clean it all up.
Using the power of stories to when talking with your customers can help them connect with you and better understand their need for insurance protection in a meaningful and lasting way.
The ‘Compelling Story Checklist” is a tool you can use to practice and assess your storytelling skills. Find it here.
Source: Korn Ferry Alliance, www.kornferry.com