Why Telling Your Story Matters

These days, content is king. And everyone seems to be putting more and more of it out there. So if you have something to say, how do you stand out among the millions of messages being sent out? The best way to cut through the noise is with a powerful story. 

Storytelling is an important skill to have in your tool belt. It creates a memorable message and compels people to pay attention. Have you ever seen a story from someone online that has stuck with you for days, weeks, months later? That’s the power of a good story. You can continue to come back to that story to remember the message. 

So why should you share your story? Sharing your story builds credibility with your audience and your network. People want to know who you are and be able to relate to the work you do, or the skills you have, not just hear a list of them. By telling a story about a time you were able to create change or a time you lead your team to success, you are showing people that you can do what you say you can do. 

Storytelling shows vulnerability and authenticity, two things that we are all looking to create more of. You can show your audience who you are and what matters to you through storytelling. It builds trust and genuine investment from those who hear your story.

Our brains are naturally wired to process stories, that’s how we see the world. You can earn more respect and buy in by sharing one impactful story about how you made a difference than you can by listing all the times you’ve done so. 

But what is your story? It may take time for us to find the right story that defines us and shares our authentic selves with the world. Who is the focus of the story? Is it you? Is it a person you have helped? What were the emotions? What did the experience feel like? Conveying who you are, where you were at the time of the story and how you felt is important to get the message across. Then make sure you highlight the most important part: the moment of change. What changed? What did you do? How did it make a difference? 

Finding your story can take a little time, but we all tell stories. We tell ourselves stories too. What story are you telling yourself? Do you need to update or refresh that story? Is that story worth sharing with the world? 

The most important part of your story is the message- what do you want people to understand from the story? Do you want them to buy your product or service? Do you want them to hire you? Do you want them to donate to your cause? Before you work on your story, be sure the message is clear so people can receive it and act. 

Now that you know how to find your story and why it’s important, take the time to think about what your goals are and how a powerful story can help you reach them.