A story is a connection between two or more people that are linked with a thread of a lifetime. Each turning point in our story is like the ebbs and flows of our own lives.
The peaks and troughs in a story can lift us higher up or crush our souls.
‘Stories are just data with a soul’ - Brene Brown
How do you tell a story?
We have all read and heard this - Structure your narrative with a beginning, middle, and end as this will shape your story into a message that is easy to remember and memorable.
Every time I sit down with my Dad, he shares his collection of college and work stories. You can see him light up every time he talks about his friends and teams. There is a hero in the story, an emotion that tugs you along and a compelling pull that draws your heartbeat into a spectrum.
I am intrigued to explore the essence of a story.
Stories inspire
What’s your favorite story? When I think of inspiration, I fall right back to the TED talk from Simon Sinek - Start with Why. It shifted my core being in a way I can’t describe. It made me think beyond the mind.
A simple idea can propel your thoughts and inspire you to take the leap. The golden circle connects with all of us - Why, How, What and when we hear about the Wright brothers, Martin Luther King and Apple, it makes so much sense.
When I started to connect with the LiRA communities, I saw the power of stories come to life. Stories do touch your soul. They make you believe in the power of good and know that everything will be alright. Each individual who undergoes laryngectomy and had to remove their voice box is determined and committed to live a life of meaning and purpose. I was privileged to capture their stories, from family members to patients to the SLP and care team.
Stories empower
I love Disney movies, full of hope and courage. The willingness to challenge the status quo and be bold and brave.
From Frozen to Mulan to Moana, I see the little girl in me light up everytime. To know there is a place in this world for me and that I belong.
Music is fascinating. I enjoy listening to Alan Walker EDM - a force in my healing over the past few years. The piece created with Hans Zimmer always makes me skip a beat. It’s mesmerizing and empowering.
When I curate my videos, this is my guide and north star to empower - to make folks feel and believe in the miracles all around us. A walker for life.
Join us on Oct 31 | PMM Talks as we step into the land of storytelling with an amazing panel and hear stories and connect with each other.
Q1. What’s your best Halloween or Holiday story. Why do the holidays bring a fuzzy and warm feeling?
I love the holidays and it’s my favorite time of the year with the lights all decked up in every neighborhood. When I lived in Raleigh, North Carolina, I came across the most extensive Halloween decorations and enjoyed walking around the historic oakwood with my friends - so much charm and elegance from the homes to the decorations itself. And the sound effects were spot on. Kudos to folks who go all in. Impressed and in awe and a memory of a lifetime.
Q2. Why is storytelling so powerful? How is emotion connected to stories? Share your experience.
Stories are memories in a capsule - they have a hero, a villian, obstacles and allies helping the hero in their journey called life. Without emotion, the story is only facts.
Every time I read a good book or watch a movie, I am drawn into the idea and this is what keeps you going to finish the book or movie to see what happens.
Each story is a passing in time, to capture what makes us human and how we are so similar and yet different. Our lens is a view that only we can create and that’s just wonderful. I am blessed to feel and experience this pure joy in life through stories.
Q3. What's your favorite story and explain why. Eg. TED talk, video, book, movie.
I am a TED talk fan for life. So many stories have connected with me during phases of life. Some are questions worth exploring, others are ways to think about life choices.
Recently I read about anime/manga series about an aspirational pastry chef: Yumeiro Patissiere in a book and fell in love with the concept. A foodie at heart, I love cakes, desserts and pastries and it’s a happy feeling. I am impressed when animations can share a story without a word expressed. That’s the beauty of stories.
Sometimes it’s a song or a video or a place, that can inspire stories. I love gardens and flowers and I try to capture the beauty into a short video clip.
And I love this Time video from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics - breathtaking and speaks more than words can convey. With music and visuals, it conveys the simplicity and elegance of Japan. And having traveled to Japan connected with the significance of each visual in the 1 minute video clip. A masterpiece of craftsmanship!
Q4. As product marketing, how can we bring the connection between story and buyer journey?
Each step in the buyer journey is a moment in the story. Create memorable stories!
START: Make it worth their time to care (Discover -> Learn)
MIDDLE: Gain trust and credibility (Try -> Buy)
END: Find your true storyteller (Advocate)
Q5. Examples from your experience on how stories have gone wrong? Share any customer or product or personal examples.
Yes indeed, there are just as many wrong stories as the good ones. Here are few signs to watch out for:
When you are chasing a story that is not true to who you are.
When your product or solution or company is making a promise that it cannot live up to and portraying a false vision with customers.
When your story doesn’t resonate with your buyer persona, they wonder what is in it for them and why should they care.
Q6. How do you see Storytelling and Product Marketing evolve in the future? Share any tips and tricks that worked best in your career.
Stories are why we are in product marketing. We love the opportunity to bring life into a product or solution with a customer testimonial or a video or success story. This will be a core part of product marketing as our job is not done when we launch a product or when a prospect converts into a customer at the decision phase.
Stories matter as Chimamanda Adichie shares in her TED talk: The danger of a single story. Pay attention to our biases as we craft the stories that will live beyond us. Make it worth their time and show why you care.