Let your voice be heard: storytelling for business

My career began in Hollywood, the land where stories reach epic proportions, enthral audiences, and create culture. As a copywriter working in home entertainment, I crafted stories to deepen people’s enjoyment and engagement with their favorite films.

When I made the move into branding and communications ten years ago, I found myself still telling stories. Whether the goal is influencing decisions, sharing knowledge, or articulating a new vision, storytelling is an essential business skill that has the power to stir emotions, build connections, and change the way people think.

Human beings crave stories. As social creatures, they help us relate and understand one another. We actively seek stories out to inspire us, enlighten us, and give us new perspectives. There’s actually a robust science behind it. When listening to a story, our brains produce different hormones that help us focus, connect, and feel. This deep engagement simply isn’t possible with only cold, hard facts.

In this day and age, information overload is making it increasingly difficult for your voice to be heard. Consider that the average person processes 100,500 digital words daily. How much of that can realistically be heard and understood, let alone leave a lasting impact? To get your message across, simply telling a story can make all the difference.

That’s why Sparkol asked me to write a special blog series to take the daunting task of business storytelling and make it a confident adventure. The tips and tactics I shared will help you use your unique voice to engage audiences, communicate ideas, and create lasting impact. Storytelling can be challenging, but it can also be an exhilarating experience. One that boosts your confidence and helps you achieve business success.

Below is a quick overview of the five topics I covered in the series:

1. Define Who: Know your audience to gain insight and direction for your story.
2. Discover Story: Use basic story elements to bring your presentation to life.
3. Start Strong: Establish a hook at the outset that immediately engages your audience.
4. Keep Focus: Identify and amplify your core message to ensure it resonates.
5. Be Remembered: Create lasting impact with a storybook-inspired conclusion.

Aimee Rivers is the founder of Plumage, a communications consultancy that helps creative companies tell their stories in an authentic way that thrills their clients and supports their business goals. Originally from Los Angeles, she is now based in the UK.