make your message stand out by marianna swallow
TRANSCRIPT
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