Are You a Storyteller with Your Social Media?

Back in the day, before central heating and home security systems, people used to gather around a fire at night for companionship, safety, and warmth. Let’s face it there was also nowhere else to go!

Also, since broadband and streaming video hadn’t been invented yet, everyone needed something to do.

One of the most valued members of these little groups of humanity was the storyteller.

An old grizzled person, who had somehow managed to survive a misspent youth of hunting and gathering to earn a warm spot near the fire to talk about the good old days.

This tradition has continued down to present times even with social media.

Let’s talk about this!

The old storyteller had three purposes with her or his tales.

(That is besides keeping that warm seat near the fire and getting a spare portion of whatever it was that was cooking that night.)

Their purposes were to either entertain, inform, or instruct.

Sometimes, they did a couple or all of them at the same time.

Now, some of you may think that I’m making this all up.

But, there’s Homer with his Iliad and the Odyssey.

Aesop‘s Fables is another example.

Some argue that the Bible even falls into this category.

My point in telling you this is that we remember the storytellers.

I’m sure there were folks around with Homer and Aesop droning on about facts, dates, and what have you.

But, who remembers them?

(I’ll wager that they didn’t get a good seat by the fire or a choice portion of whatever was cooking over it either.)

Flash forward to today and think of yourself.

When you go to your favorite watering hole or pub, whom do you hang around with?

Probably, the guy who tells stories about his life, his time in the military, or something interesting.

Do you really spend time with the guy talking about the latest tax code changes?

I didn’t think so.

What does this have to do with social media?

Everything!

The operational word in “social media” is SOCIAL!

And “social” is all about having a conversation which brings us to story telling.

Your audience wants you to connect with them not lecture them.

Story telling is a time honored way of doing this.

You make your point, whether it’s to entertain, inform, or instruct, by making your listeners comfortable with you and being relatable.

In other words, non-threatening, there won’t be a quiz in the morning.

Social media is an opportunity to connect with people on their terms not yours.

Reel your audience in with a story and you’ll never lose them.

Well, that is unless your story is boring!

Think about it!

That’s it for now!

Please check-out my 8 step approach for developing a social media program to get some more ideas on how to use social media.

Also, never forget to reach out to either ask questions or to ask for help from someone like myself!

In the meantime, thank you for following and reading my blog!

I look forward to any and all comments that you may have. I will reply to any comments made to this blog post as promptly as I can.

And, remember!

I do this for a living and if I can be of any assistance to either you or your organization, please feel free to call on me. Our initial discussion will be of no charge to you.

I can also be reached at conpsweeney@someddi.com.

My Twitter handle is @conpsweeney.

Stay well!