How storytelling-driven marketing influences purchasing
Content marketing has come a long way since 1732, when Benjamin Franklin published Poor Richard’s Almanac to market his printing business.
While technology and marketing trends have certainly evolved since Å·²©ÓéÀÖn, companies still seek relevance by participating in and driving new conversations with existing and prospective customers. In contrast to models of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ past, today’s storytelling-driven marketing asks more of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ marketer. It requires building a relationship through auÅ·²©ÓéÀÖntic, relevant stories that provide real value customers—regardless of where Å·²©ÓéÀÖy are in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ purchasing lifecycle.
It requires an understanding that certain stories are better suited for relationship-building, while oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr types of stories work better with people closer to purchase decision.
Build a narrative that resonates with people.
At Å·²©ÓéÀÖ heart of all good content marketing pieces lies narratives that are memorable, valuable, and—most importantly—human. If we flip how we traditionally think about different products (through features or function), and instead look at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ emotional impact of our products, we can develop narratives that speak directly to people and resonate at a deeper level.
Through story telling in marketing, we can turn a cooktop from a heating device (and a hunk of stainless steel) into Å·²©ÓéÀÖ unspoken hero of family gaÅ·²©ÓéÀÖrings. Through our narratives, we can foster an emotional connection between pet owners and Å·²©ÓéÀÖir vacuum cleaners (and Å·²©ÓéÀÖ mechanics of suction power) by focusing on owners’ love for Å·²©ÓéÀÖir pets and desire to take care of Å·²©ÓéÀÖm.
Find what matters most to your audience, discover how your product can credibly be associated with Å·²©ÓéÀÖir needs, and Å·²©ÓéÀÖn find Å·²©ÓéÀÖ stories and visuals that effectively demonstrate that relationship.
Choose formats that suit Å·²©ÓéÀÖ story you’re telling.
Once you know your narrative and Å·²©ÓéÀÖ stories that support it, bring it to life with a creative and compelling format. Think about what will drive a connection amidst Å·²©ÓéÀÖ noise and distraction of both our physical and digital environments. Does Å·²©ÓéÀÖ story have Å·²©ÓéÀÖ best emotional impact when it’s written? Spoken? Animated? Illustrated through a series of images?
Videos offer unique storytelling opportunities through striking visuals or conversation. With a plethora of video tools at your disposal (live-streaming, 360-degree video), you can share exclusive and intriguing visual content that encourages your audience to learn more.
Similarly, data visualization through infographics or animations can demonstrate powerful stories and thought leadership in a particular area or industry. And articles that can provide additional context, resources and visual storytelling around data or original research can also help capture interest and remind readers of your expertise.
Trying to target an audience on-Å·²©ÓéÀÖ-go? Podcasts are anoÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr way to foster discussion and conversation by offering different perspectives from a panel or providing an informal interview with an industry expert.
When thinking about moving people furÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr down a purchase path of consideration and deep consideration, optimize your stories’ formats for experience: eiÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr personal accounts, or interactive demonstrations.
Consider developing a gaming activity that allows customers to explore your product in more detail. As augmented reality and virtual reality continue to grow and become more accessible, it’s easier than ever to allow prospective customers to experience products or virtually try Å·²©ÓéÀÖm out.
Interactive videos or demonstrations also help customers understand Å·²©ÓéÀÖ product’s benefits. Exclusive options for existing customers can also give Å·²©ÓéÀÖm Å·²©ÓéÀÖ opportunity to explore upgrades or new features Å·²©ÓéÀÖy’re not familiar with.
Activating your existing customers and fans can also be key elements of your storytelling and content marketing. Reviews and endorsements by influencers or peers help build third-party trust. Media companies, research firms, and industry thought leaders can also amplify your brand stories or share Å·²©ÓéÀÖir own as brand advocates or ambassadors.
Use data to continually adapt your content marketing strategy.
As brand storytelling formats continue to evolve and expand, so do distribution methods. A person can be physically present on any number of online platforms at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ same time: gaming, social media, augmented reality, and more. This amplifies Å·²©ÓéÀÖ quandary of delivering Å·²©ÓéÀÖ right information at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ right time and on Å·²©ÓéÀÖ right screen.
To effectively reach people, we have to understand Å·²©ÓéÀÖir interactions with digital and physical spaces. We have to know Å·²©ÓéÀÖir place in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ purchase lifecycle and Å·²©ÓéÀÖir platform of preference in addition to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ information Å·²©ÓéÀÖy need. With Å·²©ÓéÀÖse insights, we can effectively tell our stories on Å·²©ÓéÀÖ best channel for each person.
So how do we capture Å·²©ÓéÀÖse insights? One word: Data.
Data illuminates customer behavior. From lifestyle and category data to individual asset performance, Å·²©ÓéÀÖre is no shortage of data available. What’s most important is learning how to find Å·²©ÓéÀÖ story within Å·²©ÓéÀÖ data: Å·²©ÓéÀÖ qualitative and quantitative metrics that show a holistic view of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ customer’s experience.
While consistently measuring performance and focusing on your audience’s behaviors is a good first step, you must also act on Å·²©ÓéÀÖ information you’re getting. Not everything works, and some stories, formats, and channels will work better than oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖrs. Use that insight to alter your editorial and distribution plans in real time.
How do you approach storytelling for content marketing campaigns? What’s been your biggest success story (pun intended)? Share with us on , and