Inbound Marketing Phoenix: Storytelling

Storytelling has become a major part of all content marketing strategies, and that’s why it’s the focus of our next InboundPHX event.

What is InboundPHX?

Inbound Marketing Phoenix (InboundPHX) is a morning of presentations and discussion on real, actionable ways you can make immediate improvements to your marketing efforts. Our speakers are business and marketing experts who have built their own successful companies from the ground up. They’ve learned what works – and what doesn’t – and they’re coming to share that experience with you.

Get ready for InboundPHX with articles on storytelling

There’s proof of storytelling’s effectiveness beyond mere anecdotal evidence. For example, studies carried out by Melanie C. Green and Timothy C. Brock at Ohio State University have empirically shown that people’s beliefs can be swayed more effectively through storytelling than through logical arguments. The researchers posit that persuasion is most effective when people are “transported” to another place using a story.

Great stories happen to those who tell them ~ Ira Glass

Here are a few recent articles on storytelling that will get you revved up and ready for the event. And if you’re not coming to InboundPHX, these will get you thinking about various aspects of storytelling and will hopefully be actionable in your next piece of content.

15 Storytelling Techniques from writtent.com
A compilation of 15 highly effective storytelling techniques.

Once Upon a Time at the Office: 10 Storytelling tips to Help You Be More Persuasive from FastCompany.com
Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there was a salesman who traveled the countryside, peddling his wares. Everyone loved his product except the evil king, who wanted to do away with it. One day the king said, “This product is ruining my kingdom and I want to destroy it. If anyone has a reason for why this product should live, let him come hither and speak now.” Out of the crowd came a voice. “I think this product is great and I can prove it,” said the brave salesman. “Then come to my palace tomorrow morning and prove to me why this is so,” said the king. Read more

The Amazingly Simple Anatomy of a Meaningful Marketing Story [Infographic] from CopyBlogger.com
Tell the right story and you can capture attention, entertain, enlighten, and persuade all in the course of just a few minutes. Some argue you can even ignore essential advertising principles and still grow a business through stories. That may be true, but only if your story follows a certain structure. Read more

The Story of Telling at thestoryoftelling.com
A brand story is more than content and a narrative. The story goes beyond what’s written in the copy on a website, the text in a brochure or the presentation used to pitch to investors or customers. Your story isn’t just what you tell people it’s also what they believe about you based on the signals your brand sends. The story is a complete picture made up of facts, feelings and interpretations, which means that part of your story isn’t even told by you. Read more

Brand Storytelling: The Hero’s Journey from ContentMarketingInstitute.com
Storytelling is not intended to be a “selling” tool; it’s a method of building strong relationships with your customers and a thriving community of loyalists over time. Your story identifies what your passions are and serves as the foundation for all your future content developments.

One way to uncover your company’s “story” is through the Brand Hero’s Journey Chart. The chart can help you develop a structure that can be used across one small content marketing initiative — or across an entire strategy of content marketing throughout your company.

Storytelling In Marketing: Be The Hero Your Customers Need from Alaniz Marketing
When Russel Crowe played the role of Maximus Decimus Meridius inGladiator I wanted to be like him; heroic, noble, honest, and brave. I aligned myself with his character’s values. It didn’t matter that I was a girl, or that I lived in the 21st century. His story captured my heart, allowing me to feel his pain, his struggles, and ultimately his victory.  Similarly, you can captivate your audience through your marketing, giving them a desire to align with your company’s brand and become loyal customers. Read more

Ode: How to Tell a Great Story from Seth Godin
Stories succeed because they are able to capture the imagination of audiences. Here is a story from 2006, the year that the term “inbound marketing” was coined. This brilliant article by Seth Godin is a story about telling stories. As always, Seth is inimitable! Read it

If you don’t tell your story, you’re letting other people make their own story about you. As far as marketing and sales, Seth reminds us that in developed countries, we no longer buy out of need. We buy out of want. We buy branded items because of the way they make us feel. We feel we are becoming the person we want to be through buying the brand. We buy a brand that we believe in and it reflects to others who we are. Your story needs to not only express who you are, but help others express themselves when they work with you! (Source: GabbyWallace)

I look forward to seeing you at InboundPHX, Februray 25th, at SkySong Center!