The Importance of a Storytelling in Social Media

It’s October, which means fall and pumpkins and Halloween! So, the kiddo and I took a journey to find a pumpkin patch. I had never been before, so it was an exciting adventure and we were very happy to find Lil Harvester’s Pumpkin Patch off Highway 16 in western South Dakota. Unfortunately, the early frost made it so we were unable to cut our pumpkins from their vines but picking our own sweet corn from their stalks made up for it.

Lil Harvester’s featured pony rides and a hay maze – however, they were a little too “kiddish” for my 11-year-old son. So we stuck to picking pumpkins and sweet corn and enjoying fresh squeezed lemonade and freshly popped popcorn from Sergeant Poppers Kettle Korn and Lemonade.

I took this opportunity to bring my camera and work on my photography skills. I’m a bit rusty, but social media relies on visual content making photos and video essential for my clients. Visual content not only catches the attention of an audience but it helps tell a story. Stories help people remember you and get people talking about you.

Do you remember that commercial about the dog who turned on the stove and the house caught on fire? Farmers Insurance.

What about that time the Super Bowl lost power and we were all told about how you can still “dunk in the dark?” Oreo.

Then there is every Axe commercial ever made.

The point is, you remember these products because of the story that comes with it.

So here is my challenge for you – what is your story? What is your company’s story?

DO

• Get personal – share the origins of your company; as in WHY did the company start?

• Have a simple, easy message. Your story should be easy to follow and the reader, listener, or viewer should be able to walk away with your intended message.

• Include photos, video, and graphic art!! Make sure they are relevant to your story; otherwise you’ll confuse people.

DON’T

• Focus on facts and dates – you are entertaining! Less non-fiction and more entertainment (but still keep it legit! No making up stories).

• Drag on and on and on and on and on and on… keep it as short as possible and cut out the fat!

• Get off point. Remember what you’re trying to tell people and what you want them to walk away with.