How to Use Stories to Teach

I’m in love with stories and analogies.  They help me teach.  They help me understand. They help me connect. And now that I’m open to finding stories they are showing up right and left. 

The strongest connections are made through the emotions and stories and analogies create emotion.  Whether it is the story of a struggling client you helped move forward, or you own story of overcoming a problem, people like to know there was a situation like theirs and that there is a way out.  

We might not be in exactly the same situation but if you show me that the problems I have are similar to the ones you solve, I’m interested.  What kinds of situations does your target community find themselves in? How do you help them get out of it?  You can tell a real story or you can use an analogy to make your point.  Identify universal situations and personalize them. 

What situation can you describe that is similar to what your target audience will find themselves in?  When I discuss the powerful results of the decision-making process I teach in my Magnetic Content Development System I use the analogy of taking a trip – how the simple step of deciding where I am going will determine what I pack and eliminate the need for others. For instance, I don’t need to pack my snow boots for a trip to California so the idea of snow boots can be left behind. My decision-making process helps end idea clutter simply by choosing directions to take and paths to journey on. 

Another analogy I use is a clothesline.  That dates me a bit but people do understand the premise.  I use the clothesline to represent the product promise of your information product – the Point A to Point B of what you want to teach. I add the idea of easily moved clothespins for the table of contents.  It’s a lot easier to move a clothespin than a wet sheet so you keep your idea in outline form as long as possible. 

I might create a story about two people in the same business. They have the same target community and similar services. One loves to write.  The other wants to do videos.  My story shows how I use my Magnetic Content Development System to help them both create powerful, motivational information products that brings them new clients. I offer one solution to two approaches to a similar goal. 

Facts go by the wayside, stories stick in the mind.  When you want to make certain your audience remembers a particular point, use a story or analogy.  You could use the story of a fictional character throughout your book to illustrate the problems she faced and the choices she made.  Or you could write a three sentence story that brings a particular point to life.  When you create a story keep it on target, craft your words to keep it moving forward and of course, be certain it makes your point. 

The story of a struggle successfully overcome is inspiring. The single mom divorced at 40 who buckled down and built a successful business makes all single moms think they might be able to do that too.  And it inspires them to try.  The woman in her late 70’s that is still actively pursuing her dreams makes you think you can keep on being productive for a long, long time.  It may be your story: it may be the story of a client or a friend, or even the story of someone you simply read about.  Stories of people successfully overcoming obstacles inspire others to keep going 

A zillion years ago when I was in my 20’s in Kansas City, I read Marilyn Fergusson’s “The Aquarian Conspiracy.”  It told about people all over the country who were gathering together to do things I had only dreamed about.  I was incredibly excited to know I was not alone in my interests and desires.  I felt connected. I felt affirmed.  I felt hope.  And I gathered courage to pursue my path knowing that others were on it ahead of me. That book was a turning point in my life. The stories you tell may help someone feel less alone in their journey.  It may offer them hope and encouragement because they feel the connection you offer.

 

Start adding stories to your work.  Whether you tell them in your telecourses or write them in your articles, use stories and analogies to make that deeper connection and help people hear what you have to say.