I recently experienced a medical emergency on a flight, something I had only heard about before. As the plane took off at 10pm, exhaustion was palpable – who wouldn’t be tired at that hour? Just as the seatbelt sign went off, I settled in to continue watching my Netflix movie with my headset on.

Suddenly, the flight attendant’s voice cut through the cabin:

“Is there a doctor on board? Please press your call button so I can locate you.”

A compelling narrative is a story that:

1.⁠ ⁠Grabs attention: Your content’s success hinges on its opening. The first 20 seconds of video or initial sentence must grab attention. Without a compelling hook, your audience will scroll away.

2.⁠ ⁠Evokes emotions: Find the emotional anchor in your story that audiences can connect with. This could be a universal experience, a shared struggle, or a familiar feeling that resonates deeply. By tapping into this emotional hook, you’ll create a lasting bond with your audience.

3.⁠ ⁠Conveys a clear message: Simplicity reigns supreme. Avoid using jaw-breaking vocabulary; after all, the goal is to communicate effectively, not confuse. We sum it up with the acronym KISS: “Keep It Short and Simple.”

4.⁠ ⁠Resonates with the audience: This ties into point 2: Understanding your target audience is crucial. Share stories that resonate with them, either directly or indirectly, to foster a meaningful connection.

5.⁠ ⁠Inspires action or engagement: Encourage engagement with your campaign by incorporating a compelling call to action into your storytelling. This ensures viewers are empowered to contribute to the conversation. Inspire meaningful action by ending your content with a clear directive, leaving viewers with a tangible next step.

I plan to share the rest of the story about the medical emergency on my flight during my session at the inaugural ‘The Impact Storytelling Series’ on Wednesday, 30th October 2024.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErceiurT0tHdSoU_PJtxThKpNF_79En-o6