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Goyette FCP Cook - Session 3 Storytelling Messaging

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Dan Cohen
Dan Cohen

The document provides tips on effective storytelling and messaging. It discusses how storytelling can help humanize issues and make them more relatable through the use of anecdotes. Several steps for crafting a good story are outlined, including starting with a common assumption, introducing conflict, identifying heroes and villains, including memorable details, and showing a path to resolution. Effective framing and developing clear key messages are also addressed.

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Storytelling – An Essential Tool Messaging – What we need to know Social Media – We can all use it Media – Everything you’ve wanted to know
Let’s Share: Who is the most effective local storyteller? What is it about him/her that is so powerful? Share one of his/her stories.
Storytelling (or…how not to end up like this)
Storytelling – The Importance of Anecdotes Storytelling is common thread through all cultures Humanizing. Anecdotes are a way of personalizing the issue Impact - Anecdotes are a way for audience to understand your perspective – more powerful than text of your remarks Linkage – a story can personalize an issue much faster than reciting statistics, historical facts or personal biases. Credibility – anecdotes allow you to “borrow” someone else’s credibility Graeme Frost, SCHIP Kid
Andy Goodman – What makes a good story Step One: Start with a common assumption and one person Find common starting reference point Attach details Evoke well-known feeling or aspiration Share / Validate commonly held belief More info @ www.agoodmanonline.com
Andy Goodman – What makes a good story Step Two: Introduce a point of conflict Name the conflicts and Show the conflicts Barriers promote attachment The harder the struggle, the more we remember How can you make these real? Describe? Show? More info @ www.agoodmanonline.com
Andy Goodman – What makes a good story Step Three: Make heroes and villians easy to identify You are right. Know that. Feel that. Villains – real or imaginary are essential You define the terms of the debate More info @ www.agoodmanonline.com
Andy Goodman – What makes a good story Step Four: Include granular details and one “takeaway” fact Hair color? Glasses? Shoes? Tell me one memorable item to take with me Can you make me FEEL it? See it? More info @ www.agoodmanonline.com
Andy Goodman – What makes a good story Step Five: Show the way to a happy resolution You don’t need clear resolution, just a path What is the end goal? What is the path to get there? Why are you essential? More info @ www.agoodmanonline.com
A moment of reflection: Am I telling stories already? What is my favorite granular fact?
Storytelling – Recent Examples Proposed California budget cuts affecting most vulnerable County could lose $262 million loss in federal and state money (CCTimes 7/3/08) In the end, Nick Robinson just couldn't afford the Bay Area. And with pending state budget cuts threatening the foster care counselor's programs and salary, he decided to pack his belongings and leave Walnut Creek for Boston.
Storytelling – Recent Examples Boy's special medical care imperiled by state budget crunch (Sac Bee 5/11/08) Derek Longwell's wheelchair bears all the scars of rough handling by a fully charged 13-year-old boy: scratched metal frame, chipped paint, worn treads and a perpetual coat of dust on the footrest. The teen with dark chocolate hair and olive-tinted eyes suffers from spina bifida, a birth defect that has left him with an incomplete spinal cord and an inability to walk. But a committed team of doctors and his devoted parents, backed by a specialized state health care program, have enabled Derek to enjoy an active life outdoors. Now the state's ominous fiscal forecast is threatening to disrupt Derek's ability to see his doctors in a timely manner or get leg braces to fit his growing body.
 
Homework – Review the Storytelling Exercise
Messaging
Learn from the Pros Passion vs. Getting it Right Think 1992 Campaign “ It’s the economy, stupid.” Focus on what works You can’t convince everyone. Empower your supporters Educate the neutrals (give them a home) Ignore (and/or isolate) the hostiles
DEVELOP Your Key Message GOAL: An easily understandable sentence or two that immediately evokes interest and curiosity when spoken to a reporter.
DEVELOP Your Key Message How do I do it? What do you need from the target audience? What do they need to hear to do what you need them to do? How is your message unique and different . Why will you breakthrough with your message?
Developing & Delivering Your Key Messages Regardless of venue – media, internet, in-person General message Know your target audience Strategic Planning – Smart Chart & other tools Goal: Glean to one or two key messages Issue/Crisis specific Be the master of your facts Know one or two anecdotes to diffuse Prepare, Prepare, Prepare. Develop a tight message, understandable by the widest audience. Know your audience.
Framing – The SPIN Way Frame: Your analysis of the issue. The frame defines what’s in your story Use your frame: To advance your position put opposition on the defense and you on the offense define issue & players to control debate focus and clarify your issue For maximum media impact to get reporters interested to effect more people to make your story newsworthy to create hooks and newsworthiness
Framing – The SPIN Way Frame the issue by answering these questions: What is this issue really about? Broader subject and theme Who is effected? Bigger, wider potential audience, more drama and reach Who are the players? Good guys, bad guys What hooks does this frame contain? Controversy, human interest, trend, etc. Bonus question: What pictures and images communicate this frame?
Framing – In Action Preschool for all of California’s children Enormous unnecessary public expenditure OR Wise public investment to improve lives, reduce crime & increase college graduates
Pause & Visit Social Media Presentation
An Inside Look At The Media
How The Media Operates Who’s who in the newsroom? Assignment Desk takes in all the information about the day’s events & assigns priorities News Director determines who gets assigned to cover what, the relative value placed on the story, and where it will appear. Reporter is overworked and undereducated on your issue. They will have only a moment to process why they are there covering your story. Be quick and confident when explaining why you are important. Myth-busting. They WANT to hear from you – if you have what they need
How The Media Operates Eternal quest for content In our world, TV news has too much time to fill TV looks for local angles to all National & International Stories – make sure you give them one.
What Makes a Story? Controversy. The worse it is, the better for the media. Conflict. Between groups of people, industries, issues or ideas. Problem/Solution Dynamic. If you want to talk about a problem, YOU’D BETTER tell them a solution. Timeliness & competitive advantage (Is it an exclusive to that paper or TV station?). Access to & reliability of sources – often just knowing there is someone who can educate a reporter on an issue is reason enough for them to feel comfortable enough to do a story. People/Personalities. Large mistakes by little people or Small mistakes by big people.
What Makes a Story? Dramatic Human Interest. Include the stories of real people, their triumphs, tragedies, and anecdotes. Trends. Stories that suggest new opinions, behavior patterns and attitudes. Three is a trend; find at least three examples to assert that a new trend is emerging. New Announcement. “Unprecedented” or “groundbreaking” or “first-ever”. Reporters are only interested in new news, not old news. Make it fresh. Localize national story (and vice versa). Take a nationally breaking story and emphasize its local impact
What Makes a Story? Anniversaries/ Milestones. One year later, 5 or 10. Fresh angle on old story. Take old story add fresh twist. Stories. Individuals, community leaders, or galvanizing spokespersons who may become news themselves. Special event. A huge conference, rally, or gathering. Frame event to capture the issue and importance. Rapid Response. React & OWN news others have made. Celebrity. If you have a celebrity on your side, someone known in your community, make sure they are included in the story. Strange Bedfellows. Have unlikely allies come together in solidarity over your issue? Highlight it in your story.
What a Reporter Needs From You A quick synopsis of the situation as you see it Honesty & Forthrightness Clear and concise answers Quotable quotes & a sense of humor Access (24/7 during crisis or respect deadline) Positive & non-defensive attitude Mastery of issue(s) Become a resource

More Related Content

Goyette FCP Cook - Session 3 Storytelling Messaging

  • 1. Storytelling – An Essential Tool Messaging – What we need to know Social Media – We can all use it Media – Everything you’ve wanted to know
  • 2. Let’s Share: Who is the most effective local storyteller? What is it about him/her that is so powerful? Share one of his/her stories.
  • 3. Storytelling (or…how not to end up like this)
  • 4. Storytelling – The Importance of Anecdotes Storytelling is common thread through all cultures Humanizing. Anecdotes are a way of personalizing the issue Impact - Anecdotes are a way for audience to understand your perspective – more powerful than text of your remarks Linkage – a story can personalize an issue much faster than reciting statistics, historical facts or personal biases. Credibility – anecdotes allow you to “borrow” someone else’s credibility Graeme Frost, SCHIP Kid
  • 5. Andy Goodman – What makes a good story Step One: Start with a common assumption and one person Find common starting reference point Attach details Evoke well-known feeling or aspiration Share / Validate commonly held belief More info @ www.agoodmanonline.com
  • 6. Andy Goodman – What makes a good story Step Two: Introduce a point of conflict Name the conflicts and Show the conflicts Barriers promote attachment The harder the struggle, the more we remember How can you make these real? Describe? Show? More info @ www.agoodmanonline.com
  • 7. Andy Goodman – What makes a good story Step Three: Make heroes and villians easy to identify You are right. Know that. Feel that. Villains – real or imaginary are essential You define the terms of the debate More info @ www.agoodmanonline.com
  • 8. Andy Goodman – What makes a good story Step Four: Include granular details and one “takeaway” fact Hair color? Glasses? Shoes? Tell me one memorable item to take with me Can you make me FEEL it? See it? More info @ www.agoodmanonline.com
  • 9. Andy Goodman – What makes a good story Step Five: Show the way to a happy resolution You don’t need clear resolution, just a path What is the end goal? What is the path to get there? Why are you essential? More info @ www.agoodmanonline.com
  • 10. A moment of reflection: Am I telling stories already? What is my favorite granular fact?
  • 11. Storytelling – Recent Examples Proposed California budget cuts affecting most vulnerable County could lose $262 million loss in federal and state money (CCTimes 7/3/08) In the end, Nick Robinson just couldn't afford the Bay Area. And with pending state budget cuts threatening the foster care counselor's programs and salary, he decided to pack his belongings and leave Walnut Creek for Boston.
  • 12. Storytelling – Recent Examples Boy's special medical care imperiled by state budget crunch (Sac Bee 5/11/08) Derek Longwell's wheelchair bears all the scars of rough handling by a fully charged 13-year-old boy: scratched metal frame, chipped paint, worn treads and a perpetual coat of dust on the footrest. The teen with dark chocolate hair and olive-tinted eyes suffers from spina bifida, a birth defect that has left him with an incomplete spinal cord and an inability to walk. But a committed team of doctors and his devoted parents, backed by a specialized state health care program, have enabled Derek to enjoy an active life outdoors. Now the state's ominous fiscal forecast is threatening to disrupt Derek's ability to see his doctors in a timely manner or get leg braces to fit his growing body.
  • 13.  
  • 14. Homework – Review the Storytelling Exercise
  • 16. Learn from the Pros Passion vs. Getting it Right Think 1992 Campaign “ It’s the economy, stupid.” Focus on what works You can’t convince everyone. Empower your supporters Educate the neutrals (give them a home) Ignore (and/or isolate) the hostiles
  • 17. DEVELOP Your Key Message GOAL: An easily understandable sentence or two that immediately evokes interest and curiosity when spoken to a reporter.
  • 18. DEVELOP Your Key Message How do I do it? What do you need from the target audience? What do they need to hear to do what you need them to do? How is your message unique and different . Why will you breakthrough with your message?
  • 19. Developing & Delivering Your Key Messages Regardless of venue – media, internet, in-person General message Know your target audience Strategic Planning – Smart Chart & other tools Goal: Glean to one or two key messages Issue/Crisis specific Be the master of your facts Know one or two anecdotes to diffuse Prepare, Prepare, Prepare. Develop a tight message, understandable by the widest audience. Know your audience.
  • 20. Framing – The SPIN Way Frame: Your analysis of the issue. The frame defines what’s in your story Use your frame: To advance your position put opposition on the defense and you on the offense define issue & players to control debate focus and clarify your issue For maximum media impact to get reporters interested to effect more people to make your story newsworthy to create hooks and newsworthiness
  • 21. Framing – The SPIN Way Frame the issue by answering these questions: What is this issue really about? Broader subject and theme Who is effected? Bigger, wider potential audience, more drama and reach Who are the players? Good guys, bad guys What hooks does this frame contain? Controversy, human interest, trend, etc. Bonus question: What pictures and images communicate this frame?
  • 22. Framing – In Action Preschool for all of California’s children Enormous unnecessary public expenditure OR Wise public investment to improve lives, reduce crime & increase college graduates
  • 23. Pause & Visit Social Media Presentation
  • 24. An Inside Look At The Media
  • 25. How The Media Operates Who’s who in the newsroom? Assignment Desk takes in all the information about the day’s events & assigns priorities News Director determines who gets assigned to cover what, the relative value placed on the story, and where it will appear. Reporter is overworked and undereducated on your issue. They will have only a moment to process why they are there covering your story. Be quick and confident when explaining why you are important. Myth-busting. They WANT to hear from you – if you have what they need
  • 26. How The Media Operates Eternal quest for content In our world, TV news has too much time to fill TV looks for local angles to all National & International Stories – make sure you give them one.
  • 27. What Makes a Story? Controversy. The worse it is, the better for the media. Conflict. Between groups of people, industries, issues or ideas. Problem/Solution Dynamic. If you want to talk about a problem, YOU’D BETTER tell them a solution. Timeliness & competitive advantage (Is it an exclusive to that paper or TV station?). Access to & reliability of sources – often just knowing there is someone who can educate a reporter on an issue is reason enough for them to feel comfortable enough to do a story. People/Personalities. Large mistakes by little people or Small mistakes by big people.
  • 28. What Makes a Story? Dramatic Human Interest. Include the stories of real people, their triumphs, tragedies, and anecdotes. Trends. Stories that suggest new opinions, behavior patterns and attitudes. Three is a trend; find at least three examples to assert that a new trend is emerging. New Announcement. “Unprecedented” or “groundbreaking” or “first-ever”. Reporters are only interested in new news, not old news. Make it fresh. Localize national story (and vice versa). Take a nationally breaking story and emphasize its local impact
  • 29. What Makes a Story? Anniversaries/ Milestones. One year later, 5 or 10. Fresh angle on old story. Take old story add fresh twist. Stories. Individuals, community leaders, or galvanizing spokespersons who may become news themselves. Special event. A huge conference, rally, or gathering. Frame event to capture the issue and importance. Rapid Response. React & OWN news others have made. Celebrity. If you have a celebrity on your side, someone known in your community, make sure they are included in the story. Strange Bedfellows. Have unlikely allies come together in solidarity over your issue? Highlight it in your story.
  • 30. What a Reporter Needs From You A quick synopsis of the situation as you see it Honesty & Forthrightness Clear and concise answers Quotable quotes & a sense of humor Access (24/7 during crisis or respect deadline) Positive & non-defensive attitude Mastery of issue(s) Become a resource