Are you ready to learn how to master the art of storytelling in just seven days?
Don’t worry if you think you can’t tell a story or if you’ve tried before, and it didn’t work out as planned. Selling with stories is actually super easy once you learn the three basic types of stories that are used in 80% of all sales letters.
In this article, I’ll show you the simple plot lines to follow and give you three exercises to help you become a master storyteller in no time.
But why bother mastering storytelling?
Well, it’s simple. Stories engage people.
Think about it, what do most people prefer – reading a non-fiction book or watching a great TV show? It’s no secret that most people would rather watch a show. In fact, the average person only reads three books a year, even though we live in the information age. So, if you want to get people’s attention and engage them, you need to use stories.
Using stories in your marketing is a great way to demonstrate the power of your product and increase the believability of your claims. By sharing stories, you can tap into people’s emotions and make them feel like they need your product to complete their lives. Plus, stories are a great way to convey information in a way that is interesting and memorable.
So, if you want to sell more, you need to show, not tell. And the best way to do that is through storytelling.
Mastering the art of storytelling can be the key to engaging and persuading your audience, whether you are trying to sell a product or simply convey information. It may seem daunting at first, but it can be broken down into simple plot lines that anyone can follow. In fact, you only need to learn three types of stories to be effective at selling with stories.
Why is it so important to learn how to tell stories effectively? Simply put, stories are what engage people. In a world where we are bombarded with information, stories are a medium that people are conditioned to receive information through. They can be used to demonstrate the power of your product, heighten the believability of your claims, and get your audience’s emotions pumping.
Stories Show Instead of Tell
One key advantage of using stories is that they show instead of tell. Instead of forcing your message down your audience’s throat, you can tell them what they are going to get from it, and then show it in action.
For example, instead of saying, “This is going to improve your life if you get this today,” you could give a story of someone who used your product and saw a noticeable improvement in their life. By showing the benefits in action, you can engage your audience and persuade them without creating an adversarial relationship.
Think about it like watching a movie. The filmmakers don’t say, “There’s John. He’s this big, mean biker dude. Watch out for John. He’s a tough dude.”
Instead, they show John pulling up on his motorcycle with a mean snarl on his face, and you get the message without being told directly.
This is the power of storytelling – it allows you to show instead of tell and engage your audience on a deeper level.
By learning to master the art of storytelling can be the key to engaging and persuading your audience.
By using stories to show instead of tell, you can convey your message in a way that resonates with your audience and persuades them without creating an adversarial relationship.
With just a little practice, you can become a master storyteller and take your communication skills to the next level.
Stories Are Easy
I know some people get a bit intimidated by the thought of telling a story, but I think that’s because of poor conditioning.
In school, a lot of us were forced to write, and that can create negative associations with writing and storytelling.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
With the right systems and strategies, storytelling can be a breeze.
When it comes to using storytelling to sell something, it’s a pretty mechanical process.
You don’t need to be a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist to craft a story that sells. In fact, there are only three types of stories that regularly sell. If you can master those three plots, you’ll be in great shape.
Of course, if you want to take your storytelling to the next level, you can certainly explore more advanced plots and sub-plotting techniques. But the important thing is to start with the basics – pick a plot type from below and start writing!
Most importantly, don’t be intimidated by storytelling. It’s a skill that can be learned, and with the right tools and systems, you can become a master storyteller in no time.
There are only three types of stories that actually sell:
The Journey Plot
This is a story about a person or a company that overcomes obstacles and achieves success. It’s a story of transformation, and it’s often used in personal development or business contexts. The key to a successful journey plot is to create a strong emotional connection with the audience by showing them how the protagonist overcame their struggles and achieved their goals.
The Us vs. Them Plot
This is a story about a protagonist who is fighting against a common enemy or a system that is trying to hold them down. It’s a story about overcoming adversity, and it’s often used in political or social contexts. The key to a successful us vs. them plot is to create a sense of urgency and show the audience how they can join the fight and be a part of something bigger than themselves.
The Happy Accident
This is a story about a chance encounter or a stroke of luck that leads to a positive outcome. It’s often used in product or service contexts to demonstrate how a solution can solve a problem. The key to a successful happy accident plot is to create a sense of surprise and delight for the audience, and to show them how the product or service can make their lives better.
Any storyteller can easily structure a story to ensure that it has all the necessary elements to create a strong emotional connection with the audience, and once that’s done, the sales will follow.
The Journey Plot
Let me break down the journey plot for you.
It all starts with where you began, followed by hitting rock bottom, rebounding, and finding a solution.
This four-sentence structure is the crux of any journey plot you want to tell. And it’s engaging!
Let me give you an example. I was once in the same boat as you, struggling to make money online despite putting in all my efforts. At one point, I was so desperate for money that I almost stole from my brother-in-law’s dresser. That was my rock bottom moment, realizing my passion for making money online had left me broke and on the brink of turning into a thief.
But I didn’t let that be the end of my story. I made a promise to myself never to get into such a situation again and took action by reengineering my approach. I simplified things and started taking quick actions that yielded results by the end of the week. I tweaked the process over the next three months, and before I knew it, I was getting amazing results.
When crafting a journey plot, always remember to start where you began, drive the emotions deep by highlighting the worst part, share how you rebounded and found a solution, and finally, explain why you’re sharing it with your audience. This journey plot follows a higher arc, taking you from the lowest point to a higher point than where you started.
Us vs Them Plot
Basically, it’s a story where someone or a group of people have been keeping something from you that could improve your life. Maybe it’s some kind of secret information or knowledge that they don’t want to share for their own reasons – who knows? But the point is, they’re holding out on you.
So, let me give you an example…
You know how big pharmaceutical companies always push their medicines and drugs as the only way to heal yourself? Well, what if I told you that they’re actually hiding the fact that you can heal yourself without any of their products? I know, it sounds crazy, but hear me out.
I used to work for pharmaceutical companies and I saw some pretty eye-opening stuff. They would manipulate situations to push their drugs and even go so far as to undermine natural health remedies. But the truth is, there are ways to heal yourself without relying on pharmaceuticals. In fact, I can show you three techniques right now that don’t require any drugs.
So why don’t these companies want you to know about it? Well, it all comes down to money. They stand to lose a lot of profits if people start healing themselves naturally instead of relying on their expensive products. But I think it’s important to share this information because I’ve seen so many people suffer needlessly when they could have been healed faster and for much cheaper.
So there you have it – the “us versus them” plot style in action. Someone has been keeping this knowledge from you, but now you know the truth. And the best part? You have the power to take control of your health and well-being without relying on big pharma.
What do you think? Are you sold on whatever product or service this “us vs them” plot example is offering?
The Happy Accident
So, the final plot style that sells is known as the “happy accident.”
It’s a great plot to use for selling things because people think the gurus or experts have some special magic that they don’t. But when an average Joe stumbles upon a solution by accident, it gives everyone else hope. They think, “If he can do it, then I can do it too!”
Let me give you an example:
Say you used to struggle with dating and couldn’t seem to get any women interested in you. Then one day, you went out and just had fun without any expectations, and suddenly, women were flocking to you. At first, you thought it was just a fluke or luck, but when your friends tried the same thing and got the same results, you realized it wasn’t just a coincidence.
And the best part? You found that with a few simple tweaks, you could improve on this happy accident and make it even better. Now, you want to share this discovery with others who might be struggling with dating or anything else. You want to level the playing field and help them achieve success too.
This plot works not just for dating, but for anything you’ve discovered by accident.
For example, one student accidentally stumbled upon a way to make a lot of money selling books on Amazon, and it’s been a game-changer for her.
Review
So there you have it, folks! We’ve covered the three most powerful plot styles that are often used in marketing and sales copy.
The us versus them plot style is all about positioning your audience as part of an exclusive group that’s better than the rest.
The journey plot style is all about taking your audience on a transformative journey, from where they are now to where they want to be.
And finally, the happy accident plot style is all about stumbling upon a solution by accident and then perfecting it with deliberate action.
By using these plot styles in your marketing and sales copy, you can engage your audience, build trust, and ultimately drive sales.
And remember, plot is not just a static thing – it’s an action. So, focus on using active language and creating a sense of movement in your stories to keep your audience engaged.
Whether you’re selling a dating product, a book on Amazon, or anything else, these plot styles can work wonders for you. So, go ahead and give them a try! And with a little practice, you’ll be able to write compelling stories that resonate with your audience and help you achieve your business goals.
