building a storytelling culture
TRANSCRIPT
Before We Get Started3
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3
Our guest presenter »
Jerry Grimes, CFRE
• Vice President, Advocace • Blogger, The Development Evangelist • Former pastor, university fundraiser
and nonprofit ED • Local NBC TV exec for 20+ years • Travels more than 100 days a year
speaking, coaching, training
Storytelling defined
“Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact.” - Robert McKee
• Stories help people connect with what you do
• Stories offer proof
• Stories build trust
STORY CHALLENGE:
Could you effectively
explain why your
organization exists by
telling just one story?
Simplified Arc
Character
Before…
Discovery
Transformation
After or “Now…”
Mission
Invitation
BEFORE
AND THEN…
NOW
Storytelling culture
• Value stories like money
• Intentionally gather stories
• Set up systems to collect and
archive
• Share stories as part of training,
services, programs
• Use stories in fundraising,
marketing
• Train your team to understand the
storytelling arc and gather ALL of
the story for your archives.
Gathering stories
• Mail or hand out forms
• Post form on website
• Phone line – Google voice
• Brainstorm
• Write every client’s story
• Hire an intern to research
The more stories you share,
The more stores you will have to share!
Story steps
• Train your team • Appoint a “Story Maven” • Create an archive system • Tweak your web site • Call donors and visitors • Use stories in your marketing • Gather stories at events • Start and end meetings with stories
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