Every day more and more people are going online to look for answers to their problems. And at the top of the list of information, they are seeking for is how-tos. People want their information and equipping sprinkled with entertaining and educational stories.

Brian Tracey uses a windshield-wiper method when presenting the information. This method is taught in his book, “Speak to Win: How to Present With Power In Any Situation.”

This windshield-wiper method is not just for speaking but can also be applied to our writing as well. In Brian’s book, he stated how we are made of both right and left brain functions. The left brain is wired for facts and information. The right brain is wired for feelings, stories, examples, and quotes.

So what does the window-wiper method look like? Start with a fact or some information followed by a story, for example, a quote that provokes emotions/feelings. This way you will have greater success of people retaining the information/principles you want them to learn when mixed with your storytelling.

Stories That Tell Can Sell
Jesus used this type of method many times when he wanted to teach his disciples and/or the local community members about a particular fact or principle throughout the gospels. In fact, one of my favorite stories is about Jesus talking to a Samaritan woman about the importance of drinking living water. The story goes something like this in John 4:4-30 in the Holy Scriptures.

Jesus had been traveling when he came to a small town called Samaria. He was tired from his travels and sat near a well while his disciples went into town looking to buy some food.

While sitting near the well, a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus asked her if she would give him a drink? She replies, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink? (Side note: Jews did not associate with Samaritans as it was the custom of that day).
Jesus proceeds to tell her that if she knew who he was she would be asking him for a drink of water instead and this water would be living water that would not leave her thirsty but satisfied.

He continues to tell her about her life story of how she was married to 5 men and the current man she was with she was not married to. She admits that everything he says is true to that point about her life. She realizes by spending time with him and talking with him that he is perceived to be a prophet.

Eventually what happens is the Samaritan woman shares her testimony by going to the townspeople to come hear a man who has told me of everything I have ever done. When Jesus is in your life he gives you insight and revelation about not only your own life but about how to do life with him, and this life includes how to do business.

Psalms 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” (New International Version).

As a result of Jesus sharing his experiences and life with the Samaritan woman it made her a believer and she helped others to believe too. Essentially, she told the townspeople her story and were sold on what Jesus had done for her and therefore, came to see him as well.

Story Prop Examples
Here are some examples of how you can incorporate more stories:

When you finish a project
When you learn something new
When you create order out of chaos
When you failed in an area
When you see a new perspective
When you are frustrated from lack of a good resource

Another good way of incorporating a story when you don’t have enough of your own experiences to share, you share that of other peoples. So I am going to share with you another story of when you see a new perspective.

Example of A New Perspective

This story comes from the Holy Scriptures in Matthew 13 about the farmer sowing his seed and how I see it relating to the messages we give.

When the farmer was sowing his seed, it fell on 4 types of ground and the results from the seed on these ground conditions. I’m not going to give you every bit of the story and encourage you to read it for yourself.

The first ground type was when the farmer sowed the seed, it fell on a hard path and the birds came and ate the seeds.

The second ground type was shallow ground, where the seed fell and it sprang up quickly but because of its shallow roots, it died quickly.

The third ground type was thorny ground, where the seed that was sown was chocked out by other weeds (thistles).

The fourth ground type was fertile ground, where the seed that was sown became fruitful and produced a harvest of 30, 60 and 100 fold return.

Now there is much more to this parable in the scriptures than what I’m going to share here because Jesus tied each of these examples of ground types to the conditions of people’s hearts and how it related to their receiving His message on the Kingdom of God.

But what I want you to take away here is the new perspective I have seen. For me the new perspective of these four types of ground conditions is how you are delivering your message and its effects on you and others.

The first ground condition was that of a hard path. It’s likened to your message not being heard because that audience doesn’t have ears to hear your message because of the “language or wording” doesn’t grasp their attention, so therefore, it doesn’t take root.

The second ground condition is the shallow ground. It’s likened to your message being received with great joy by your ideal audience/customer but they get cold feet in pursuing what you have to offer because other concerns or close influences give their reasons why they shouldn’t proceed forward with your offer.

The third ground condition is the thorny ground. It’s likened to your message being crowded out by other worries, concerns or your competitions’ offers being more attractive and therefore, it doesn’t produce fruit because it’s being choked out by these other areas even though there was a recognized need for what you had to offer.

The fourth ground condition is the fertile ground. It’s likened to your message being given to the audience/customer who is willing, ready and able to buy. (Side Note: Willing, Ready and Able is what we say in real estate when we are looking for buyers, there is nothing hindering from them buying.) These buyers understand what is being offered to them and have the means to take the necessary steps to take action. These messages produce 30, 60, 100 times more return after people have heard your message (your offer).

Framing Your Stories

Another tip is using well- known companies and people when you are writing and speaking. Integrate how your message corresponds with or some insight you received from ABC or XYZ company or person.

In my case, I have become very excited as I branch out into more writing as I use Ray Edward’s system when it comes to his copywriting. He is the author, “How to Write Copy That Sells.”

Example of A Failed Area

Here is another tip for a story experience I mentioned earlier and that is writing or speak about your failures. I personally have been petrified of writing and have delayed doing it for way to long. English was not my strong pursuit and I was forever being corrected by my mother who was gifted in this area. Her work history consisted that of an editor for a publisher in her early twenties.

I had to step out and learn to overcome this fear of writing even when I heard my mother’s voice in my head. Just so you know, she did it because she loved me enough to want me to excel and become better in that area of life.

Example of Learning Something New

So back to how does this example apply to framing a story around a company or person you may be asking? Well back to Ray Edward’s book and teaching has given me more confidence in my writing pursuits using his marketing/copywriting system.

For anyone who knows me personally knows I like if not love acronyms. And on top of that he used an acronym that is near and dear to my heart called P.A.S.T.O.R. Now I’m not going to tell you what each of these letters stand for the sake of time and length of this article but encourage you to get his book if you are looking for a system that can help you think quicker and receive better results when it comes to your messages.

Anyway, I hope I have given you enough insight and understanding of the importance of weaving stories into your messages so that you can get your information to stay and get rooted in your audiences’/customers’ minds and hearts.

Remember, left brain is facts and information. Right brain is feelings, stories, examples, quotes, etc. And when you write your messages where it intertwines both sides of the brain, you will have greater success in getting the results you are looking for when delivering your messages.

I will end with this quote from Mother Theresa: “I’m a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.”

Are you ready to become a pencil in the Master Storyteller’s hand? If so, will you invite the Master Storyteller to help you write and share more engaging and purposeful edutainment stories (educate & entertain) that people will love to read and hear?