The amount Hollywood has made telling stories in the past 10 years: $95,000,000,000.
I deep-dived into the highest-grossing movies to discover what makes them great.
Here’re the 5 powerful principles of storytelling I found:
I deep-dived into the highest-grossing movies to discover what makes them great.
Here’re the 5 powerful principles of storytelling I found:
Why care about stories?
We’re at the start of the digital age. More and more people are moving online.
This means the bar for attention is rising. Fast. Storytelling is how you stand out.
These principles will help you do it well 👇
We’re at the start of the digital age. More and more people are moving online.
This means the bar for attention is rising. Fast. Storytelling is how you stand out.
These principles will help you do it well 👇
Desire
Stories are journeys, but without a desire -there's no destination.
People have no reason to follow if they can't see where you take them.
The same is true online.
If you want people to engage in your story, talk about the end goal.
Stories are journeys, but without a desire -there's no destination.
People have no reason to follow if they can't see where you take them.
The same is true online.
If you want people to engage in your story, talk about the end goal.
The difference between an average and great story?
Psychological appeal.
Blockbusters relate to our deepest desires.
Love. Acceptance. Power. Potential.
It’s the difference between making money and freedom. Better habits and becoming great.
Study Maslow's. Aim high.
Psychological appeal.
Blockbusters relate to our deepest desires.
Love. Acceptance. Power. Potential.
It’s the difference between making money and freedom. Better habits and becoming great.
Study Maslow's. Aim high.
The Enemy
All great stories have terrible villains.
Why?
To trigger the ‘us vs them’ mentality. This unites us against a common enemy - a villain who upsets our idea of reality.
We become engrossed because we feel like we're part of the fight.
All great stories have terrible villains.
Why?
To trigger the ‘us vs them’ mentality. This unites us against a common enemy - a villain who upsets our idea of reality.
We become engrossed because we feel like we're part of the fight.
What problem do you solve?
Dig deep into the damage it causes. The internal pain. The doubt. The failure.
Then personify it. Use powerful language.
E.g.
Procrastination isn’t 'wasted time'
It’s destroying your shot at greatness. It’s ruining your potential.
(Maslow's again)
Dig deep into the damage it causes. The internal pain. The doubt. The failure.
Then personify it. Use powerful language.
E.g.
Procrastination isn’t 'wasted time'
It’s destroying your shot at greatness. It’s ruining your potential.
(Maslow's again)
Journey
Every story involves evolution.
Growth inspires us. We form a bond with the hero because we've been with them from the start.
The journey inspires us to improve ourselves.
The best way to bring your audience along? 👇
Every story involves evolution.
Growth inspires us. We form a bond with the hero because we've been with them from the start.
The journey inspires us to improve ourselves.
The best way to bring your audience along? 👇
Be Open
98% of people hide their work. No one wants to look like an amateur.
This is great news for you.
Your lack of experience becomes your differentiator. People resonate with progress.
Invite your audience from the start and they’ll stick with you to the end.
98% of people hide their work. No one wants to look like an amateur.
This is great news for you.
Your lack of experience becomes your differentiator. People resonate with progress.
Invite your audience from the start and they’ll stick with you to the end.
Conflict
Conflict is the glue between plot and character. Without it people grow bored. No stakes mean no reason to follow.
We want to see how the hero responds to failure. To hardship. To struggle.
Life is never simple. Stories shouldn't be either.
Conflict is the glue between plot and character. Without it people grow bored. No stakes mean no reason to follow.
We want to see how the hero responds to failure. To hardship. To struggle.
Life is never simple. Stories shouldn't be either.
The internet is a highlight reel.
If you want to stand out, interrupt the pattern. Share your failures & mistakes.
People will listen because conflict is interesting.
They'll remember because you've shared lessons.
They'll trust you because of your authenticity.
If you want to stand out, interrupt the pattern. Share your failures & mistakes.
People will listen because conflict is interesting.
They'll remember because you've shared lessons.
They'll trust you because of your authenticity.
Transformation
Without fail, every great story has transformation.
We don't just watch movies to be entertained - it's how they make us feel.
Transformation triggers the strongest emotion:
Hope.
Without fail, every great story has transformation.
We don't just watch movies to be entertained - it's how they make us feel.
Transformation triggers the strongest emotion:
Hope.
Online – you write your story in real time.
Talk about where you started. Share where you are. Explain where you’re heading.
Your audience is looking for the story they want in themselves.
What transformation will you inspire?
Talk about where you started. Share where you are. Explain where you’re heading.
Your audience is looking for the story they want in themselves.
What transformation will you inspire?
Thanks for reading.
If you enjoyed this, give me a follow: @ItsKieranDrew - I'll help you become a powerful writer and storyteller.
If you enjoyed this, give me a follow: @ItsKieranDrew - I'll help you become a powerful writer and storyteller.
Want to get started writing your story?
I've built a guide that helps you define your niche differently so you can stand out from the crowd.
Get it here free:
writersniche.carrd.co
I've built a guide that helps you define your niche differently so you can stand out from the crowd.
Get it here free:
writersniche.carrd.co
Know anyone who'd benefit from telling better stories?
Head on up and share #1, or click below and up you go.
Head on up and share #1, or click below and up you go.
https://twitter.com/ItsKieranDrew/status/1491802172496879625
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