With
three kids ages, 8, 5, and 4, we tend to watch a lot of Pixar movies. I
mean, A LOT of Pixar movies.
And,
I have noticed a very familiar theme throughout all of them. The main
character always has a problem, they are helped by
an advisor with a solution, and there is a happy
ending.
The
roles are interchangeable with talking cars, toy cowboys, or a clown fish.
Speaking
of clown fish, take Finding Nemo for example:
- The
Main Character - Marlin (Nemo’s dad)
- The
Problem -
Nemo was captured by scuba divers, so Marlin has to find Nemo
- The
Advisor -
Dory, the helpful new friend
- The
Solution -
Dory helps Marlin swim to Australia through the East Australian Current to
find Nemo
- The
Results -
Marlin and Nemo are reunited with the help of Dory and they all live
happily ever after. Or, at least until the sequel.
This
story is very similar to the way you help your customer.
They have a problem, you help them with a solution, and
there is a happy ending.
Stories connect and sell.
By the way, stories sell 118% better than facts!
You
want to increase sales, and the way to do that is through better storytelling.
Make
the customer the star of the story, and you help them get a
happy ending.
Now
let's consider you.
- Does your elevator
pitch tell a story?
- Does your website tell
a story?
- Does your email
marketing tell a story?
- Does your video tell
a story? If it does, whose story is it; yours or your customer’s
story?
- Does your print material tell a story?
- Do your employees tell a story?
If
you are still telling customers about your features, advantages, and benefits,
it is time to make a change to storytelling.
