We’ve learned how to communicate during a crisis and how to adapt your social media platform through one, now we are going to touch base on how to tell a new story for your business. What that means is, you have probably had a business plan and a story within that plan, but in times like this, we need to rethink how we sound to our clients and how you are going to retell your story compassionately. When we say retell your story, we mean in a way that is going to do good for others. Be a good neighbor and do good for the local or national community.
What is a Story?
Some maybe wondering, “whoa what kind of story are you talking about?” A business’s story is essential, crisis, or not. There are four main pillars of storytelling; people, place, purpose, and plot. To create a basic story, you need these four core pillars. Storytelling is crucial because it allows you to connect with a consumer on an emotional level, and by utilizing the four main principles of Transmedia storytelling, you will be able to create a more successful brand. So how do you make a good story? According to Hubspot, good stories are made up of 5 things:
- They have to be entertaining- keeping the reader engaged is essential; you want them to be interested in what is coming next.
- Needs to be educational- Spark the reader’s curiosity and add to their knowledge.
- They should be universal- meaning that they are relatable to all readers and resonate with their emotions and experiences that most people go through.
- Stories have to be organized- They should follow an organization that helps convey the message and helps them remember it.
- Lastly, they should be memorable- Whether that is through inspiration, humor, or general interest, it should stick in their mind.
Stories also need three components: Characters, conflict, and resolution. The characters can be only one person or multiple people, just something or, in this case, someone that the reader can maybe relate to. The conflict can be about something the character overcame, or it can be about emotions or experience. Resolution can be the good part of the story, the part where your story is wrapped up, and provides the call of action you’re trying to get across.
Transmedia Storytelling
So what is Transmedia Storytelling? It is the art of designing, sharing, and experiencing across multiple platforms, usually used for entertainment, marketing, or social changes. Stories define social influence, social perception, and social interaction; they influence individual and group behavior and can provide a sense of self. Transmedia storytelling is in many different things like video games, books, toys, comics, theme parks, and in virtual 
reality, it offers a wide range of coverage to a broad range audience. Using transmedia storytelling to combat a crisis going on engages your viewers in a new way, and this is what you want, light, and fun ways to tell your customers your story and plan. Many people might look at this type of storytelling as “entertainment” well in some way it is, but you can be informational as well as entertain someone. People are stuck inside and could use a little bit of entertainment as well as facts. Transmedia storytelling can do both.
Change Your Storytelling
Marketing in a crisis can seem like a lose-lose situation. When telling your brand’s story during a crisis, you need to approach it with empathy before you try and sell anything. Relating to the world around you can how your clients are feeling can make for a great new story if you take the right tone. People are going to be more price-sensitive than brand loyal in times like this, appeal to that. Your story should show that you are offering resources and support to not only your customers but as well as your employees. Next, you should share your plan with the community, be open with your viewers about what you are going to do and what you are not going to do.
Sooner Than Later
When telling your story, whatever it is about or whatever you intend, in a crisis it’s better to do it sooner than later. Storytelling is an art, stories can bring people together and inspire them to do something. Tell your customers why they should indorse you, not what they are indorsing. In a time of crisis and confusion storytelling can be a compelling tool for your business, at Multimedia Marketing Group we can help with that. We are experts in storytelling and making the invisible, visible. If you need help changing your story or just beginning it, we are still here to serve. Find Mr. Joe Arco on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-arco-2353b414/
This article is in collaboration with Mr. Arco and Ms. Serena Ahlquist. We have put this information together for your insight and hope you find it valuable and content rich.
President
President, Multimedia Marketing Group Distinguished 20+ year career introducing Marketing strategies to drive growth within intensively competitive markets, an expert in creating the vision, identifying opportunities, creating high-quality products and services, delivering strong revenues and profits, and positioning start-up and existing businesses for sustainable growth. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-arco-2353b414/
Multimedia Marketing Administrator
First coming into the Multimedia Marketing Group as a college media intern and then establishing herself as a Multimedia Marketer. Serena has found her passion within the Business of Marketing and seeing the invisible and making it visible through compelling storytelling with social media. Her cornerstone working philosophy is that “Action is almost always better than inaction.” This enthusiasm has led her through multiple media platforms for the clients served by MMG. Her excitement to share the final story outcomes of the creative endeavors by the MMG team has led to quantifiable business results for the leaders of the companies in which the Multimedia Marketing Group serves. MMG is a full-service marketing and media production firm servicing the Business-to-Business marketplace in retail, service manufacturer, and the non-profit sectors.
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