How to Build Your Story Bank

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At the Montauban mining site, they are using green technology to reprocess old tailings and responsibly explore the earth’s underlying resources.

They are focused on healing, restoring, and renewing the land by turning waste into value and setting a new standard for the mining industry.

Click Here to learn more.

On October 31, 2024, I was out with friends when a call from my husband sent shivers down my spine. His voice was unusually tense and this got me worried because anyone who knows my husband knows he usually has things under control. He’s the one who always tells me, "Tell me one problem that anxiety has solved."

When I arrived, he was waiting for me on the stairs, and his first words were, "Look behind you." With my heart pounding, I turned around. I was not sure of what was behind me. A snake? An intruder? A broken wall?

It turns out something was missing. It was a sack of old books and letters from his childhood. He had those books sent to Lagos from Benin City, Edo State. Those were family documents that held some 40 years of memories and history.

But that's not even the gist. You see, I had passed that staircase three times that morning and didn't notice that one of the three sacks was missing until he pointed it out. Even when I looked behind, I still didn't notice until he mentioned it.

This experience reminded me of something important about stories. Once you decide to focus on them, you start to notice them everywhere. On the other hand, if you don't set your heart to find stories, then story-worthy moments will slip by right under your watch.

The truth is storytelling is the most valuable skill every entrepreneur should master and with good reason. Whether in business, education, entertainment, or personal connections, storytelling is a surefire way to leave a memorable impact on your audience and rally them to take action.

According to research by Neuroeconomist Paul Zak, when we hear a story, our brains release oxytocin and cortisol. These substances activate our human nature for connection, empathy, and relatability. So when we tell relatable stories, our dream customer trusts us, feels safe, and is motivated to take action.

But you may wonder, if storytelling is so important, why aren’t more people using this powerful tool in their businesses?

The screenshot below sums up the # 1 reason why many people shy away from storytelling.

The truth is, many people don't exercise their storytelling muscle because they feel their life is “ordinary” or that they haven’t experienced enough dramatic events to captivate an audience.

Today, we’re going to change our perception of what a story-worthy moment is. That mindset change is the #1 secret to flexing your storytelling muscle. We'll also learn how to capture stories that will engage customers, donors, and other stakeholders. And finally, we'll look at three super easy ways to build your story bank.

We're Made of Stories

We all have stories that have tugged at our heartstrings. They could be stories from our childhood, ordinary stories that brought us joy and laughter, or even a teaching moment. They don’t need to be enchanting or bone-chilling. They only need to be meaningful to you and the audience you share them with. The secret is to capture them as they come.

Here are 3 tips that will save you dozens of painful hours trying to crack your memory for a story:

3 Ways to Find Simple, Relatable Stories

1. Stay observant: Stories do not have to make your readers teary-eyed or laugh until their ribs ache. Simple stories can be just as relatable and make an impact.

The best thing? You can find relatable story-worthy moments in everyday experiences. It could be a simple conversation with a neighbor, a funny moment at the shopping mall, or a profound realization during your quiet time. The key is to tie the story back to your message or goal.

Here are some everyday stories you can use in advocacy, marketing, or fund-raising:

• Gratitude stories
• Origin stories
• Unusual happenings
• Every day conversations
• Behind the scenes/a day in the life
• Parenting
• Funny blunders
• Profound quotes

Watch the video below to see how this organization uses a 22-second video to tell a gratitude story to donors.

2. Document Regularly: Carry a small notebook or use a note-taking app on your phone like Evernote or Trello to jot down exciting moments as they occur. Avoid relying on memory alone. Look out for deep conversations, profound thoughts, or delightful moments.

3. Reflect and Connect: Before the day ends, look at your notes and seek out common themes, emotions, or connections between moments. These can be the basis for meaningful stories. Think about potential lessons and jot them down. Next, tie these back to your objectives. Finally, share your stories.

Takeaways

• Storytelling arms you with the power to captivate, inspire, and connect people from all walks of life. 
• Story-worthy moments are all around us, waiting for you to use them.
• Build your story bank by staying observant, documenting regularly, and connecting your stories with your communication goal:  

Now go and build that story bank. Here’s wishing you a story-filled week!