The Writing Edge for Business Writers: 3/16/18

Mar 16, 2018 | Reading Lists

You’re a businessperson. You may not think of yourself as a writer, but you know that writing well can boost your results and your career. Naturally, you want to do better. Every week I point you to articles and blog posts that I think will teach you something or spark an idea or two. The posts are about the intertwined tasks of reading and writing. Some weeks there are more pointers than others.

This week I’m pointing you to posts on storytelling.

From Kellogg Insight: The Power of Persuasive Storytelling

“Stories hook your business audience and get them to take action. Based on the research ofMichelle L. Buck, Esther Choy and Steven Franconeri”

From Irving Wladawsky-Berger: The Growing Importance of Storytelling in the Business World

“Over the years I’ve learned that when trying to explain a complex new concept or product, it’s important to engage in a kind-of conversation with your intended audience, where you talk about what’s in your mind, your questions, your doubts, what you know and what you don’t know. In short, you’re telling a story about the concept, product or brand you’re trying to explain.”

From Harrison Monrath: The Irresistible Power of Storytelling as a Strategic Business Tool

“If Keith Quesenberry were a betting man, he would have cleaned up. The researcher at Johns Hopkins predicted that the Budweiser spot would be a winner after conducting a two-year analysis of 108 Super Bowl commercials. In a paper that will be published in the Fall 2014 issue of The Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, Quesenberry and research partner Michael Coolsen focused on brands’ use of specific strategies to sell products, such as featuring cute animals or sexy celebrities. But they also coded the commercials for plot development.”

From Tanmay Vora: Storytelling: Begin With The End in Mind

“Stories and narratives that touch us emotionally have power to transform us. When hearing a moving speech, story or talk, we feel that it is delivered effortlessly but we know it doesn’t happen on its own.”

Sources I Check Regularly

I find the posts and articles that I share with you on The Writing Edge in many places. But there are a few that provide insightful pieces again and again. Here they are.

Alliance of Independent Authors

Frances Caballo

Jane Friedman

IngramSpark

Jerry Jenkins

Joel Friedlander

Joanna Penn

Kindlepreneur

Problogger

Daphne Gray-Grant

Becky Robinson’s Weaving Influence