This post by Madison Gonzalez for Bloomerang sets out a three-step model for developing a nonprofit communications strategy.
Good communication is the key to being an effective fundraiser, building strong relationships, leading well, and serving the people you’re working to help. And one way I’ve found to be a good communicator is to work on your storytelling abilities.
Storytelling is one of the most powerful forms of communication. Stories help embed a message into context and, often, entertainment. Think of it as dipping your dog’s medication in peanut butter. The message is the medication, and the story is the peanut butter. The audience needs to hear the message but wants to consume the peanut butter, so to speak.
Worried that’s not a skill in your wheelhouse? I have good news! Great storytellers are made, not born. Sure, some of us have an inherent knack for weaving a good story, but the truth is storytelling can be learned, practiced, and mastered.
There are several skills you need to develop to be an effective nonprofit storyteller. The things I’ll cover in this series—strategy, creativity, and logistics— are the building blocks for how to share quality stories that change minds, win hearts, and improve relationships.
In this post, I’ll focus on the strategy behind telling a compelling story.
The strategy behind the stories you tell
When figuring out what story to tell, you need to assess your objectives and look at the big picture: Why do you want to share your story? When you know why you want to tell your story and who you want to tell your story to, you’ll be better positioned to strategize how to craft and deliver your story.
1. Setting goals and objectives for telling your story
When setting your goals and objectives for telling your story, ask yourself these two questions:
- What are the short-term goals of sharing this story?
- What are the long-term goals you hope telling your story will accomplish?
Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/m9vydwus
