How to Be a Concise Storyteller

I know a lot of people, they try to give every element of the story and they don't realize that sometimes less is more. Storytellers have to make decisions and they leave enormous amounts of material, if you will, on the cutting room floor. So we come up with these cute and clever things to say about our businesses but ultimately unless we're explaining the problem that we solve in very clear terms, people are going to pass us by. If you confuse, you lose.

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After Donald Miller’s parents got divorced, his father completely disappeared from his life. For years, Donald blamed himself for his father leaving. His guilt manifested in the form of teenage rebellion: breaking into people’s houses, shoplifting, and defying his religious values. However, he turned his life around when his youth minister David Gentiles asked him to write columns for the church newspaper, which sparked his passion and talent for writing. Now, Donald is a bestselling author and the CEO of two companies. He spends his days helping high-dollar brands refine their storytelling strategy. In this episode of YAP Classic, you’ll learn about how to harness the power of storytelling and what ingredients make a great story.

Donald is widely considered one of the most entertaining and informative speakers in the world. His audiences are challenged to lean into their own story, creatively develop and execute the story of their team, and understand the story of their customers so they can serve them with passion. Don's thoughts on story have deeply influenced leaders and teams for Pantene, Ford/Lincoln, Zaxby's, Chick-fil-A, Steelcase, Intel, Prime Lending, and thousands more.

In this episode, Hala and Donald will discuss:

- The four major characters in almost every story

- Why storytelling is such a powerful tool

- What several brands get wrong about telling stories

- Opening and closing story loops

- Never stop talking about the problem your brand is trying to solve

- Steps to establishing yourself as the guide for your customers

- The seven things that happen in every story

- Elements of a great call-to-action

- Why you should follow up with your customers

- And other topics…

Donald Miller is the CEO of StoryBrand, an agency that has helped more than 10,000 organizations clarify their brand message, and Business Made Simple, an online platform that teaches business professionals everything they need to know to grow their business and enhance their value on the open market.

Donald also hosts the Business Made Simple podcast and is the author of personal essays and books about faith, God, and self-discovery, including the bestsellers Building a StoryBrand, Marketing Made Simple, and his most recent, Hero on a Mission. He lives and works in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Elizabeth on their estate, Goose Hill.

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Resources Mentioned:

Business Made Simple: https://www.businessmadesimple.com/

StoryBrand: https://storybrand.com/

Free 5-Minute Marketing Makeover: http://www.5minutemarketingmakeover.com/

Business Made Simple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-made-simple-with-donald-miller/id1092751338

Donald’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=donald+miller+books&gclid=CjwKCAiAxvGfBhB-EiwAMPakqpWbtWazcyT3D0-zfAf9X4SjIddsk--yAwjo-TiLrkyUwizHRplq-xoCdf4QAvD_BwE&hvadid=580628975667&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1017108&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11272388198254768624&hvtargid=kwd-1038300247&hydadcr=8238_13500835&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_1a89j6lr3o_e

Donald’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-miller-storybrand/

Donald’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donaldmiller/?hl=en

Donald’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donaldmillerwords/

Donald’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/donaldmiller?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor