Transcripts
1. Welcome!: Feeling stuck with what
to post on social media, or maybe you're just
feeling tired of posting content that feels
like everyone else's? If so, this is the
course for you. In a world where
AI is now churning out generic content
at lightning speed, your personal story is the one thing that can
help you to stand out. And that's what we're
going to explore more of in this class. Hi, my name is Louise. I'm a digital market with over 14 years of experience
in the industry. I also help solar businesses and creatives with
their marketing. And I can honestly say what's
made the biggest impact in my own online presence hasn't been fancy strategies or hacks. It's been sharing
real honest stories. Years before I started my marketing consultancy
business, I started a blog, and I began posting
on social media about my scholiosis journey following
spinal fusion surgery. This was a major operation to correct and stabilize
a curve in my spine. At first, it was just a diary, but pretty quickly,
it started growing. People were finding it. I was getting comments, DMs, and emails from people
saying things like, I thought I was the
only one or that my content had helped
them to feel less alone. Before long, I had thousands
of followers online, a growing email list and thousands of monthly
blog visits. Though it can be really scary, it can also be really powerful
to share something real, and it can also help and
inspire others when you do. And that whole
experience is a big part of what motivated me to
start my own business. Living with scoliosis has made me determined to
challenge myself, to help others through
courses like this, and to create work that
actually means something. And see what I did
there? By sharing a little of my story just now, I'm already starting to
build connection with you. And that's the power
of storytelling. It's how you build
real engagement. This class is all about
storytelling for social media, and I'm not talking about
the overly polished, dramatic kind that you may
have seen on LinkedIn. You know, the ones like
the time I dropped my toast and learned a
lesson about leadership. Instead, we'll focus on
simple, intentional, human content that feels like
you and actually connect. Whether you're a
creative business owner, freelancer, or you just want to grow your presence
with more purpose. Learning how to tell your
story in an honest way can make all the difference because people remember
what feels real. This class is perfect for small business
owners, creatives, or anyone that wants to build a personal or business
brand that feels genuine. You don't need a background in marketing to take this course. All you need is access to a social media platform of your choice and something
that you care about sharing. I'll walk you through.
Why storytelling work? Three types of stories that
connect with your audience, a simple storytelling framework and how to share your
stories your way. Plus, I'll share real examples along the way to
bring it all to life. You'll leave this class with a three part story series that
you can post straightaway. Plus templates to make
writing way easier. If you're ready to post
content that actually feels like you and helps you to
connect with the right people, then grab a coupper
and let's get started.
2. Class Project: Before we start exploring storytelling frameworks
and post ideas, I want to walk you through
your class project. You'll be creating a three
post story series that you can post on social media or keeping your drafts
completely up to you. Here's what you'll
create an origin story. So this could be
about how or why you started your business
or creative journey, a behind the scenes moment, so something honest
or messy that people usually don't see and a
transformation or win. So even if it's small, show a shift growth
or proud moment. Each post will cover the simple storytelling formula
that we'll cover later. Hook heart Human. So to complete your project, I would recommend watching
the lessons first because we'll cover the
three story types and how to structure them. You can then complete
the simple template in the resources tab, which can help to
guide your writing. Draft your three captions. You don't have to post them
yet, just write them out. You can also add a visual, photo, screenshot or
mockup if you want, and then upload your project
to the project gallery, paste your three posts or add
visuals two if you'd like. Free to tag me on Instagram.
If you share there. I would love to see your posts. And just a reminder,
this doesn't need to be polished or perfect. It's about learning a
few simple techniques so you can start weaving
storytelling into your content. To share your work
with the class, scroll down to the projects and resources section and
add your stories there. I'll be checking in
regularly and would love to hear your stories
and give feedback. To get started, head
to the resources tab and download the story
structure worksheet. It'll walk you through writing your first post step by step. First lesson, I'll
share the reasons why storytelling works so well, especially now in
a world full of templated AI written
content. I'll see you there.
3. Why Storytelling Works: Okay, so before we
explore story types, I want to take a moment
to talk about why storytelling actually works,
especially right now. A study by Harvard
Business School found that information shared
as a personal story was remembered
significantly more than the same information
delivered as dry stats. In fact, while the impact of detailed statistics faded
within a day or two, stories held nearly twice
the influence over time. Put simply stories stick,
whereas facts fade. Our brains are
literally wired to remember stories more than
bullet points or features. So when you scroll past another five tips for
better Reels post, you might glance at it, but
you'll probably forget. But a post that
starts with something like I nearly deleted
this post because I hated how I looked
might make you pause and be curious
because you feel something. Now, I've seen this in
my own content, too. Over the years, I've shared
some really personal posts about my experience of
living with scoliosis. And what I found
is that those that are the emotional, honest, things that are a bit
scary and vulnerable to post end up
getting so much more engagement than the usual how to style or tips type content that I was previously posting. Reason for this is simple. Stories make people feel. They make you relatable, when people feel emotionally
connected to you, they're way more likely
to stick around, give you a follow, comment on your posts, or
even buy from you. Now I'm going to show
you an example that popped up on my
TikTok feed as an ad. The story of this
one hooked me in. The post has millions of views
and hundreds of comments, so it obviously worked well. At 13, I started a business that changed my life and I
never expected this. It all started with
me building up a brand and packing orders on my bedroom floor
just before school. Two years later, I'm 15, and I've sold over 12,000
towels nationwide. From elite athletes
to menopause, women and even pets, people are using
cool tow to stay cool and comfortable
every single day, and it's actually
making a difference. I've had over 505 star review and donated to big charities. And last week, I launched a fresh batch with
new packaging, and they're already flying. Every towel is packed
by hand by either me, my friends or my family because quality matters when your
buildings ain't real. So if you train,
overheat easily, or just love a clever
invention, now's your chance. Grab the before they're gone. I've linked them in
my Tik Tok shop. I think this is a really
great example because he's led with his story,
which is inspiring. Starting a business so young
instantly grabs attention. He's also being honest
and authentic by showing his human relatable side rather than just
pushing his product. This is powerful because it
enables people to connect, or they may buy
or follow because they want to support
him and his journey, or they may feel
inspired by him. I like this story because he doesn't try to be
polished or perfect. And he comes across as honest,
motivated, and passionate. We're living in a time
where AI can churn out hundreds of
posts in seconds. While that's impressive,
it's also overwhelming. Recent research shows
that audiences are actually experiencing
content fatigue as a result, especially from AI
generated posts that feel formulaic or bland. Recent research also shows that people are starting to recognize AI generated content
and associate them with lower trust
and less credibility. Powerful counter
trend has emerged, a growing demand for
authentic real life content. That's why genuine human storytelling cuts
through the noise. And if done well, it
can help to build trust and human connection
with your audience. Your real experiences and how you tell your story,
nobody else can do that. That's your edge and what makes people stop scrolling
and actually care. Telling your story helps
you to stand out in a crowded market and helps you to attract the right people. When you wrap your
message in a story, it becomes more engaging, more memorable and
more sharable. And that means better reach, better engagement, and stronger relationships with
your audience. So as a takeaway, stories
help you to connect, build trust, and stand out, whether you've got 50
followers or 5,000. Storytelling helps
your audience to see you and not
just your content. And that's why it's
such a powerful tool. Now that we know
why stories work, let's get into the good stuff. The three types of stories that you can start
sharing today, even if you're not
quite sure what to say. We'll cover these
in the next lesson. I'll see you there.
4. Three Story Types That Sell Without Selling: Now that we understand
why storytelling works, let's look at three types of stories that you can
actually start sharing, especially if you're
stuck on what to say or worried about
sounding too salesy. They're simple, personal, and you've probably
lived them already. The first story is
your origin story. This one's all about your why. So why did you start
your business or page? What inspired you to launch
your product, service, or blog or even a shift in your mindset that sets
everything in motion? You might think that your
story is not dramatic enough. But honestly, people
love this kind of story because it makes you human and it gives meaning
to what you do. Here's a great example from a creator that I
follow on Instagram. This video, she
explains how she set up her account after
having her baby, wanting to share the
knowledge that she'd gain from growing a
successful business. But when you dig a little
deeper onto her website, you find the true
heart of her story. The death of her father was a pivotal moment that pushed
her to start something new, something more aligned
with her purpose. So why does this story
work so firstly, it's honest and emotional. Sharing something as
deeply personal as losing a loved one immediately creates a sense of empathy
and connection. It gives depth to her brand, so it's not just I wanted
to grow on Instagram. I experienced loss,
gained clarity, and chose to build
something meaningful. It shows purpose. So her business isn't
just about making money. It's about sharing knowledge
and empowering others. That attracts people who
connect with her values. It also helps to build
long term loyalty because when people know
why you do what you do, they're more likely
to support you, remember you, and trust you. Here are some hook ideas that you can use for
your origin story. I never thought I'd
end up doing this, but all started when. The truth is, I didn't
plan any of this. I never expected my business to generate this many orders. If my 14-year-old self could
see me now, they'd be proud. I could have never
imagined this. This business wasn't
part of the plan, but it came from something
I deeply needed. Obviously, these hooks
are just examples, and you can tailor them to your own business or situation. But now you know about
the origin story, you'll start noticing it all
over your social media feed. The next story type is the
behind the scenes story. This is where you pull back
the curtain a little bit. What goes into your what's the messy middle that usually gets edited out on Instagram? This is one of my favorites
because it builds trust without needing a
single result or testimonial. You're not saying, look
how successful I am. Instead, you're showing the
real human side of what you do that honesty makes
people feel connected to you. For example, in my case, I often share behind
the scenes videos of me filming my Skillshare
courses or writing my scripts or when things go
find these types of posts actually perform the
best for me and get the most engagement
over other posts. I think it's because
that people can relate, people also love seeing the realities of what it's
like to run a small business, especially if it's not
polished or perfect. Things are rarely perfect, and growing a business
is really hard, especially when you're balancing other things like
life, children, a full time job, for example, I like being
authentic and showing the realities of what it's like, as well as the highlight. Here are some posts that I found on social media
that I thought were great examples of this and make the business or brand
more relatable. Her face is a map of the
world is a map of the world. You can see she's
a beautiful girl. She's a beautiful girl. Everything around her
is a silver full light. People who's around her
feel the benefit you came. Child you eptvtd up Zalas
this is what Basis. What have so much
as. This is one. Shout out to the
small business owners who haven't gone viral, whose office is just a
corner of the living room, whose sales honestly
sometimes look like this. Let's keep going. We got there. So why do these work so well? They make the person
behind the brand visible. They show honesty
and vulnerability, which builds trust
and relatability. They validate your
audience's experience, especially if they're also
small business owners. They remind people
that you're real, not just a polished
brand trying to sell. Here are a few hook ideas that you can use for
this type of post. Here's what you don't
see behind my posts. The part I almost
didn't share was this bit never makes it
into the highlight reel. The final story type
that I wanted to cover is the transformation
or win story. Now, this doesn't have to be a six figure launch
or anything dramatic. It could be a mindset shift, a tiny habit change, or something you're
proud of, big or small. So, for example, a win for me could be that a few years ago, I was scared to show
my face on camera, but now I've taught
thousands of people online, and it all started from one shaky video that
I nearly deleted. And this is actually
a true story. My voice was
literally shaking in the first YouTube video
that I ever created. But I kept going and improving. And this is a win
story that I could share to make me more relatable. And in fact, I do share a lot
of these types of posts on my personal account to help inspire people
with scoliosis, that they can do anything and that it doesn't have
to hold them back. They always create a
lot of engagement. So it's something that I'd like to try and incorporate more into my business social
media to help build that relatability and share
more of my own story. So some hook ideas that
you could use for this? A year ago, I wouldn't
have shared this. This time last
month, I was stuck. Today, I didn't think this would work, but
here's what happened. Now, I just wanted to talk
about an example I found on Instagram and just talk through why I think
it works so well. So firstly, the post
starts with vulnerability. So she opens with a
relatable feeling panic, self doubt, and feeling
lost before graduation. So this instantly hooks the reader and makes
her seem more human. She then walks us through
specific moments. So she started the page in 2020. She landed roles, did
some freelancing, nearly quit, and then
she chose to go all in. This progression gives
the story momentum and shows what's possible. Also includes a setback and
not just a highlight reel. So the fact that she almost gave up makes the winfiel earned and creates emotional depth and relatability because not
everything went to plan. It then shares a
turning point decision, so choosing not to take a full time job was bold and makes the reader
root for her. Turning points like this create drama and resolution
in storytelling. Ends with a clear
inspiring outcome. So she's now a
full time creator, managing a community,
speaking on stages, and doing work she loves. The transformation
is aspirational but grounded in reality. It also includes
gratitude and community. So by thanking her followers and making them part
of her journey, she builds connection
and loyalty. It's not. Look what I did. It's more we did this together. Her tone is also chatty, warm, and full of personality, so it feels more
like a conversation and not a sales pitch, which is key to selling
without selling. You don't need to tell all
three stories in every post. Pick one story and
then start from there. Maybe it's how you
launched your Etsy shop or what made you fall in love with your creative process again? Maybe it's something that went wrong and taught you something. The key is to focus
less on being inspirational and
more on being real. These story types are the ones that I go back to
again and again. They work because they can. Or of course, many
other story types out there and if you
want some more ideas, you can download the
bonus resource with additional story prompt ideas
in the resources section. Before we move on,
take a minute to jot down one idea for each of
the three story types. Just a few rougher
thoughts are fine. What's one story about
why you started? What's one behind the scenes
moment you could share and what's one small win or transformation you're proud of? You don't have to write
them out fully yet. The goal is just to get
those ideas flowing. You can come back
to them when you start shaping your actual posts. In the next lesson,
I'll show you how to structure your story so it
flows and grabs attention. You'll learn a simple
repeatable framework that you can use for every
post you write. Let's.
5. The Hook Heart Human Formula: Now that you've got some
story ideas flowing, it's time to give
them some structure, so they actually work
on social media. This is a really
simple formula that can help if you're
stuck overthinking, or just need to get
something posted quickly. It's called Hook Heart Human. So let's break this down.
Firstly, we've got the hook, and this is where
you grab attention. This is your first line
the scroll stopper. This is the part
that makes someone pause and think,
wait. What's this? So you want curiosity,
a cliffhanger, or something emotionally
honest or unexpected. So some examples could be, I nearly didn't post this. This still makes me cringe,
but I'm sharing it. Anyway, I started this business because I was angry. Here's why. And here are some other
examples of hooks that work well on real posts that
I found on social media. Next, we have heart, and this is where you share
the emotion or conflict. Now we get into the real stuff. The middle, why this matters. This is where you give
people a peek behind the curtain or bring
them into your world. For example, for years, I thought no one cared
what I had to say. When I hit publish
on my first post, I felt sick but also proud. This week has been a mess
and I'm sharing it anyway. This is the part that makes
people feel something, not just understand but connect. You got me feeling
only when I done. You'll be a fine mind. You'll be up fine
mine. You'll be up. Finally, we have human. This is where you
bring it back to them. So what's the takeaway?
A little encouragement, a relatable moment, maybe
a soft call to action. For example, if
you've ever felt like your story doesn't matter,
trust me, it does. I'm sharing this because someone else might need to hear it, too. What's one story
you're scared to tell but know
someone else needs? This part brings a story home. It turns your post
into something useful, sharable, or just really human. Let's do a quick comparison. So this is just an example
of a typical post that I have made up just to
emphasize the point. Before using the Hook
Heart Human framework, a post may look like this. So excited to hit
100 orders today. Thank you for your
support. So this is nice. There's nothing wrong with
it, but it doesn't connect. It's a fact and not a story. After using the Hook
heart human framework, it could look like this. So the hook could be. I cried over a 50 pound order. The hard part could be
it wasn't about money. It was the fact that someone
believed in what I made, something I dreamed
up in my head, sketched out on paper and brought to life from
my kitchen table. When you're building
something from scratch every little
yes means the world. And then the human part is, if you're celebrating
a small winter day, cheer loudly, you've earned it. Every single step counts.
So why does this work? The hook grabs attention
with emotion and curiosity. The heart shares vulnerability and behind the scenes context, and the human takeaway gives the audience permission to
relate, reflect, or engage. Feel the difference? Now I want to share an
example of this in action from a brand
that I follow on TikTok called Get Personal. I noticed that they use
this framework very well, whether consciously or not
in one of their posts, which is actually
their origin story. Hoy. Holter maybe
sweet maybe harder. Maybe whose maybe fer, maybe sweet maybe harder. Maybe. So this brand sells
personal safety products, but instead of leading with a sales pitch, they
lead with a story. The founder starts with a vulnerable hook about her abuser being
released from prison, shares her fear and how
she created a solution, and then turns it into encouragement for others
who now feel safer, too. This is a powerful
way to show how your story can
include your product, but it's the emotion
and honesty that makes people stop scrolling
and start caring. Why does this story builds emotional connection
and credibility. So her product was born out of a deeply personal experience. It shows transformation
from fear to confidence. It offers a relatable takeaway, so many people watching may feel unsafe and see themselves
in her journey. It also gently sells
the product by embedding it into the story
and not leading with it. Before we move on, take a quick minute and try
this out for yourself. Pick one of the story ideas that you jotted down in
the previous lesson. And just write the
first few lines using the Hook heart
human structure. It doesn't need to be perfect. Just get a rough draft down. Here's a prompt to
help you get started. Ho what's a bold, honest, or unexpected way to
start this story? Art. What was the challenge
or emotion behind it? Human. What's the message or takeaway you want to
leave with your audience? If you feel comfortable,
you can post this in the project gallery if you want feedback or just keep it
in your notes for now. The important part
is just practicing the structure so that it
starts to feel natural. I've also included a hook
heart human template in the project workbook, which you can find in
the resources section. Print it, scribble on it, use it to plan your
Instagram post, blog post, whatever
works for you. If you're ever feeling stuck
or unsure how to start, just come back to this formula. It's simple, it's
flexible, and it works. In the next lesson,
we'll look at some tips to improve your storytelling.
I'll see you there.
6. Tips to Instantly Improve Your Storytelling: Now you've got a
simple structure that you can use for any story, whether it's an origin post, a behind the scenes moment
or a transformation. But before you go and
write your three posts, I've got a few extra
tips that can make your stories even stronger.
Let's get into it. Tip number one, know
who you're talking to. If you've ever sat staring
at a blank caption, wondering what to say, it's probably not just
a content problem. It's a clarity problem. You're not 100% sure
who you're talking to. Great storytelling doesn't
just start with a clever hook. It starts with empathy. Before you share your
story, ask yourself. Who is this for? What are they feeling right now? What do they need to
hear or be reminded of? What struggles or desires do they relate to in your story? Helps you to go from saying
I launched my course, and it went well to
something like if you're sitting on a big idea
and scared to launch, it's okay. I was, too. Same story, but one
feels personal. If you're still
figuring this out, think about someone real. So, for example, a past
client, a supportive follower, or even a version of yourself
from a few years ago, what were they struggling
with and what would have helped them to feel
seen and supported? You can even take notes
from your DMs or comments because the questions
that people ask you are clues to
what they care about. And those can be the seeds
of powerful stories. Real world example from an Instagram account
that I follow. So Stella runs female
only solo camping events, and in this post, she shares how
getting dumped led her to take her first
solo camping trip, something that eventually
became her business. So this hook is emotional, but what makes it land is how clearly she speaks
to her audience, which are women who
are on their own, looking for empowerment
and connection. So why does this matter? When you know who
you're speaking to, your tone naturally becomes
more human and direct. You're more likely to share
stories they'll relate to, not just what you want to say. Your message becomes clearer, stronger and more here's another example from a swimwear
brand called Junk London. In this post, you
can see there is an engaging hook where she says, 32, no kids or mortgage, but I did start a swimwear
brand five years ago, so I'd never have
to struggle to find cute bikinis to fit my
midsized body again. I think this is a
great example of a brand knowing their
audience inside out. Instead of saying we
make inclusive swimwear, they lead with a hook
that speaks directly to their target audience and shows the founder's
journey and pain point, something that many
of their audience will instantly relate to. That's what happens
when you really understand who
you're talking to. Your story next. Take 2 minutes to jot
down who you want to reach with your story. What
are they going through? What would make them feel
seen and stop scrolling? For example, in the
case of Stella, a lot of her audience can probably relate
to getting dumped and feeling alone and scared to do things like
camping on their own. Tip two is to write or
speak how you talk. One of the easiest ways
to build trust online is to write or speak
in your own voice. So drop the marketing voice
and just use your own. Imagine you're
telling your story to a friend in a voice note. That's the tone you want. When your content
sounds like you, it feels natural, authentic, and way more relatable. Some things to think
about. Would you say this out loud
in conversation? Does it sound like
something your audience would understand easily? Are you using
language that feels warm and human or
stiff and sailsy? Here's an example
before and after. My content offers value
driven strategies to scale your engagement. Here's what actually
helped me to get people talking on my posts. Here's an example of a
post I found on Instagram, of a small business
owner complaining because she doesn't want
to make contents anymore. She just wants to focus
on her small business, which is making furniture. Don't want to make content. I just want to make tables. I literally just want
to make furniture. I don't want to make content. There. There's some
content for you. Enjoy. Ironically,
as she's being her true authentic self and speaking to her audience
like she would a friend, this reel actually did really well with over 20,000 views, which is way more than any
of her previous reels. This is because her
audience can relate to her. It is really hard to make content and run
your small business. Try rewriting one of your last captions or posts in a more
conversational tone. Like you're talking
to your best friend. Notice how it feels. Tip number three is to turn
your stories into a series. If you're stuck for
what to post next, think in mini series. Maybe every Tuesday you share
a behind the scenes moment. Or you create a three part
founder story over a week. This takes the pressure off
having to say everything in one post and keeps people coming back
for the next one. A great example of this is a post I found by
Candid Studios, a self portrait
studio in London. They started a
storytelling series on Instagram about the
origin of self portraits. Educating their
audience in a way that ties directly back
to what they offer. This works so well
because it creates curiosity and gives people
a reason to follow along. It builds authority by educating in a
storytelling format, and it keeps their content
feeling intentional and consistent without
needing to sell all the time. By turning your
story into a series, you're not just posting, you're creating a little journey
for your audience. People love to follow a story
that unfolds over time. Tip four, don't force
every post to be a story. So not every post has to be
a heartfelt life lesson. In fact, it's better
if they're not. Instead, you can
weave stories into your regular content rather than thinking they
need to stand alone. A quick sentence about
why this tip helped you makes even a value post
feel more personal. For example, here's a system that helped me stay consistent. Especially during my recovery
when energy was low. That's also storytelling, too. Subtle but powerful. Next time you share a tip, add one line of
personal context. Why does this matter to you? Tip number five, start with the feelings and not the facts. Don't start with a play
by play of what happened. Start with the feeling. For example, the
moment of tension, joy, fear, frustration,
whatever it was. Because that's what
hooks people in. Then you can give the context. Emotion is what connects. Be honest and vulnerable with your audience to develop trust. A real world example
from a tattoo artist who shared a video of
herself in tears on Tik Tok. I thought it was
really powerful. She had just learned
how to tattoo an Ariola for breast
cancer survivors and was overwhelmed
with emotion because she thought that she'd finally found what she was meant to do. Yesterday, I uploaded a video
of me cry after arguably very successfully attempting to tattoo a nipple for
the very first time. I always wondered if one day I'd find the thing
that I'm made to. I feel like the tears yesterday show you that sure this is it. So I'm committed to spending
an hour every single day tattooing nipples onto Aatex while sobbing my
little heart out. I do love doing lipler there's something about the wholesomenss of being able to give somebody the feeling of
feeling beautiful? You don't need any text to
understand the impact of this. It starts with pure emotion and makes you feel
something right away. That's the kind of post
that stays with people. Think about a recent moment where you felt something strong. It doesn't have to be
dramatic, just real. Could that be the start
of your next post? Tip six is to create
a narrative arc. Strong story has a
simple structure. First, we have the beginning. So this is where you set
the scene and the feeling. Next, there's the middle. So this is where you share what changed or
what you learned. And then finally, the end, this is where you reflect or
wrap up with what it meant. If your story feels
long or complex, this is where you
can break it into parts and share over
multiple posts. That way, you create curiosity and give people
a reason to come back. Seven is to engage
with your audience. Encourage interaction
by asking questions or encouraging your audience to share their own experiences. This can help to create a community and a strong
connection with your audience. At the end of your story,
try something simple like. Have you ever felt like this? What helped you when you went
through something similar? That small invitation can help
to spark real connection. An example from a small
business, a candle company. And on the reel, they've put when your
business is small, every order feels like a win. And then they've asked at
the end of their caption, Any other small
businesses feel me? And you can see by the
comments that lots of other businesses
feel the same way. And this has helped to generate quite a lot of discussion where people are saying relatable
and they agree and it's true. And you can see it really
helps to generate a sense of community and engagement
with their audience. Okay, let's quickly recap
what we've covered so far with these simple but
powerful storytelling tips. Know who you're speaking to. Write the way you actually talk. Turn your stories into a
series to help build momentum. Mix storytelling into
your regular content. Lead with emotion
and not just events. Use a clear
structure, beginning, middle, end, and don't forget
to encourage engagement. It turns readers into community. These are all small tweaks that you can start using today. That will instantly make your
stories feel more personal, more impactful, and more you. Take a moment to review the three stories that you're working on for your
class project. Choose one and apply at least two of these
tips to make it stronger. Remember, small changes
can make a big difference. So by now, you've got
your story types, a structure to follow, and some tips to make
your stories pop. In the next lesson, we'll talk about some of the ways that you can share your story that feels good to
you. See you there.
7. How to Share Your Story (Your Way): In this lesson, I'll
walk you through a few simple and personal ways
you can share your story. Whether that's through video, photos, or just your words. Because the way you present
your story matters. Visual storytelling can make your content more engaging
and more memorable. Number one, write it as a caption and let the
words do the work. This is the simplest option and honestly one of
the most powerful. If you followed the Hook
heart human framework, your caption already
is the story. You can share it
with a simple image, like a photo of you
still from your day or even a text based
graphic or video. Don't overthink the visual, let the words do the work. Number two is to speak
your story on video. If you're comfortable
talking on camera, then this can be
a really personal and powerful way to connect. You can record a quick
reel or TikTok or even a talking head video where you just share your
story out loud. No fancy editing needed. Some people process better
by speaking than writing. So if that's you,
just talk it out. It's okay if it's
not polished because that's what makes it
relatable and authentic. A tip is to pin your story, especially your origin story to the top of your
profile or add to your highlights reel on Instagram so that it's
easy for people to find. If you're not quite
ready to show your face or you just want to
test out a video, try recording a
voiceover and then layering it over a
few clips or photos. Craft Forward is a not for
profit based in London, and we help you learn new
skills and upskill communities. Our aim is to democratize
arts and crafts for everybody and to also utilize arts and crafts to help
tackle bigger social issues. This can work really well for an origin story or a
transformation moment. You could also try creating a carousel for
Instagram or LinkedIn. Sure. It's back in. I'm so simple. If you're not sure
what image to use, then think about the
emotion behind the story. Is it about growth,
struggle, relief, pride? Your visual doesn't need to
necessarily show the story. It can just support the mood. So, for example, a photo
of your workspace, a throwback image or
a walk in nature, something that feels like you. Don't forget your story doesn't have to live
on social media. You can repurpose your
story into a blog, a newsletter, or even a podcast. This is a great way to build a deeper connection
with your audience, especially if they're already
following you elsewhere. It's also a good idea to share your origin story
on your website, for example, on
your About Me page. This can help visitors to
quickly understand who you are, what you stand for, and
whether they connect with you. A strong story on your
About page can build trust, make you memorable, and turn casual visitors into loyal
followers or clients. Take a moment to think how
you want to share your story. Which format feels most
natural to you right now. Choose one of your
three stories from the class project and jot down how you'll
bring it to life. Make a note of what platform, what visual, if any,
and what format. For example, written,
video or voice. You don't need to post it yet, but planning this
step will make it easier to hit publish
once you're ready. Remember, there's no right
way to share your story. What matters is that the
story is true to you. Try testing different formats to see what works best for
you and your audience. And with you've made it
through the four class. In our final wrap
up, I'll give you a quick recap and a few tips on what to
do next. I'll see you.
8. Final Thoughts: Congratulations on making it
to the end of this class. And, truly, thank
you for being here. I hope it's left you feeling
more confident, inspired, and clear about how to share your story in a way that
actually feels like you. Here's a quick recap of
everything we've covered. Why storytelling works so well in today's content
saturated world? The three story types
that help you to show up with purpose
and not pressure. The hook heart human framework for writing stories that stick, some simple but effective
tips to instantly improve your storytelling and a range of ways that you can share
your stories visual make your stories
more memorable. If there's one thing that I hope you take away from
this class, it's this. You don't need more content. You just need content
that feels like you, the honest human kind that helps people see a
little more seen. That's what builds real
connection and engagement, especially now in the age of AI. Don't forget to share your three parts story series in
the project gallery. I'll be checking in,
and I would love to give you feedback
or just cheer you. If you're sharing on social, feel free to tag me.
I'd love to connect. If you found this class helpful, then please do leave me a review because it
really helps me out, and also consider following
me on Skillshare. So you don't miss any
upcoming classes. And if you want even
more story inspiration, grab my free story prompts worksheet from the
resources tab. Thanks again for spending
this time with me. I can't wait to
see how you bring your stories to life online. I'll see you
in the next one.
Louise Laurie, Marketing Strategy & Courses
