MAKE YOUR MESSAGE STAND OUT

Marianna Swallow mariannaswallow.com

“How will I use this in my WORK/PRESENTATIO

N/TALKS/SOCIAL MEDIA/CONVERSATIO

NS/COLLATERAL, ETC.?”

SPECIFICITY

STORIES

“SPEAK MY LANGUAGE”

PART 1:SPECIF

ICITY

When do you talk about your organization?

Why do you talk about it?

What do you say now?

Think about…

WHY are you a part of this organization or cause, and why this ONE SPECIFICALLY?

YOUR LISTENER ALWAYS HAS A SECRET QUESTION IN HER HEAD.

SPECIFICITY IS YOUR FRIEND.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT, AND WHY?

Which is stronger?

“This organization is great and I have so much fun being a part of it.”

“As part of the women’s prison quilt ministry, I saw first-hand how we were able to help connect imprisoned women to humanity, and how grateful they were for the quilts.”

PART 2:STORY

STORIES

When do we tell stories?at work, when we come home, to our kids, parents, partners, loved ones, friends; to give examples, when we sell something, to persuade, to brag, to vent frustration, to share excitement; at the Women in Advocacy Conference; to get the customer service agent to take that extra charge off the bill, to make a point, to make a comparison, to have fun, to make someone laugh, to rile someone up, to support a cause, to share joy, to get sympathy, to get attention, when we’re at a party, at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, Rosh Hashanah, Pagan Dance Rituals, at the Doctor, Acupuncturist, or Podiatrist’s, or Dentist’s office…

Data is good, but a story is compelling.

LET’S TALK ABOUT USING

STORIES

Which is stronger?

“Data showed 15% of our clients traveled from out of state.”

“A man who traveled from South Dakota for our workshop told our Board President that he was so grateful for our services, and our workshop helped him find employment in his field.”

STORY BASICS

Storytelling Triangle

Beginning/Middle/End

• Beginning: Set up – set the scene

• Middle: “Meat”

• End: What it’s all about.What was the outcome?What is important and why?

YOUR STORY MUST HAVE

A POINT.

Make the connection for your listener.

We need to make the “whys” clear.

What is important, and why?

Do not worry about being “obvious” or heavy handed.

PART 3:SPEAK MY LANGUAGE

List 1-2 potential audiences.

What’s their lingo?

What’s important to them?

REWRITE & REHEARSE

ONE LAST NOTE…

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU…

Thank You!Marianna Swallow

mariannaswallow.com