Stories are magical. Everyone is hard-wired for stories, you enjoy them, you are influenced by them, and you react to them. When you become a great storyteller (and I’m about to give you the secret formula), you get more of what you want.
Nonprofits have many stories to share. In fact, you are making new stories everyday. Your treasure trove of stories should include your Founder’s Story, your own story, and the stories of those who benefit from the work of your nonprofit organization.
I heard a founder’s story when I was seven years old and it has impacted by whole life!
When I was in the 2nd grade I became a Brownie. We made crafts, sang songs, and sold cookies. I wasn’t very good at any of those things. But then I heard about Juliette Gordon Low.
I was fascinated! She was the founder of Girl Scouts. She lived a bit of a whacky life and she created an organization for girls to do things they had never done before. And, as a result of her passion, I was a Brownie, one of 1000s all over the country.
Without this founder’s story I wouldn’t have stayed in the Girl Scouts through high school, or worked for them, or been a leader.
That’s the power of a story.
When you want donations, volunteers, clients, or love, stories will help you get them.
Stories do their magic because they stir up emotions. The emotions can be happy, sad, funny, or any mix of feelings. Think about a sitcom. It’s a story. The bible and koran are full of stories. When you read or hear story, it clicks, your brain lights up, you are paying attention. Just what you want from your audience, virtually or in person!
Keep your stories simple. You want them to be sticky. If they are easy to remember, they are easy to repeat. That means other people start doing your work for you by repeating your story!
Finally…here is the magic formula for your stories
Yes, it’s really as simple as a fairytale. As you are thinking about the story you want to tell, try this easy, memorable formula. Just like Sleeping Beauty or Hansel and Gretel, your story opens by setting the scene.
But something goes wrong! You’ve added some suspense to the story and now you’ve got their attention. You may be describing the unfortunate circumstances of a child or family.
Next, the hero comes along – this could be you, your founder, your organization, or a donor. Through this vivid, descriptive story you have shown the listener how important your work is and got them interested in helping.
Ah, happily ever after.
Speaking of happily ever after, Juliette Low’s story was powerful enough to motivate me as a 7 year old. It still moves me now.
You can become a great storyteller. Just follow the simple formula and you’ll be ready to speak to a person or a group, in person or via social media. Make stories the focus of your marketing, community building, and fundraising.
Magic will happen.
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