If you want to sell more, tell a story!

We’ve spoken often about the need to have a coherent story to tell, one that is well rehearsed and delivered powerfully.

That point was recently driven home by the Republicans and George Bush in particular at their convention. Regardless of your politics, you have to admit that they moved people with their story and presentation. As I was watching it, I commented to my wife that it looked a lot like an infomercial, that the Republicans were building a story, building emotion and driving it home by showing social proof. All the pundits seemed to agree predicting a five point rise in the polls for Bush. They were close, it was actually eleven points according to Time and Newsweek.

Stories told well and with conviction move people to think, to take action. Stories stir emotion and involve the listener. We are programmed to listen to and respond to stories, much more so than we are to listening to long lists of facts and figures and features and benefits. Tell me a story about my pain and how it was relieved, make me a hero and I’ll listen.

What is the story you tell? Do you know how to develop your story? Can you present it with the aplomb and conviction of the Republicans at their convention? If not, you should reconsider and revamp your story.

Turns out I wasn’t the only one that noticed that this event had an infomercial feel to it. So did Joe Hogan of the New York Observer. He does a very nice job of laying out the whole event here.

I'd look at Joe's article as a little bit of a primer on what you can do with a good story, how will you apply it to your business?

Comments

[Steven Streight aka Vaspers the Grate]

I agree with you about the Republican convention. My wife asked me to video tape Zel Miller and Tommy Franks. I wish I would've taped Elizabeth Dole. I videoed from Zel to George W. Then a guy at where my wife works borrowed it and burned many copies to give to undecided friends and Kerry sympathizers.

I am staunchly a-political. I refuse to vote, for philosophical reasons. Hate me if you must. I just see no honest people out there in Politix Land.

But I agree, the RNC was an amazing infomercial.

I keep saying to my wife, "The hell with whining about Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9-11. Why don't the rich Republicans sponsor and fund a film from their point of view?" Looks like they sorta did.

Check out my new post "Martha Stewart & Mentally Correct Marketing" at:

http://www.streightsite.blogspot.com

First time here. Will return often. May put you on my "More Goodies" Blog List.