I used to think stories were for genius creative writers.
So, I didn’t write them.
Pretty daft, to be honest.
Because if everyone thought the same way, there would be no stories in the world anywhere and we’d have missed out on some of the greatest stories of all time:
- Romeo and Juliet
- Pride and Prejudice
- Wuthering Heights
- Ratatouille
All the greats.
But I shied away.
I only wrote “value” content. I never showed my personality or my unique way of writing. I’m not the most extroverted either so writing a story online felt like opening up my life to the world.
But then I found out stories aren’t creative.
They’re formulaic.
The best stories are frameworks.
So I started using a 6 step framework to write about:
- Experiences in my life
- Experiences in my business
- Experiences with copywriting
Now I use this framework every time I write a story.
Stories are perfect for top of funnel content. (broad content/reach content whatever you wanna call it).
So it helps me:
- Connect with 1,000s more people at scale
- Increase my KLT (know, like, trust)
- Seem more human, less robot
This all makes selling easier for me.
I want to share that 6 step framework with you today so you can go write stories quickly, easily and start selling easier.
Before we dive in...
First, here's a story I wrote recently on LinkedIn.
I want you to open this post up and read it as we're walking through each step:
(this will help you understand the framework and spot where each step comes into play)
Okay, let's go:
1. State a sticky situation you were in
This means start your story with a big problem you faced. It grabs readers’ attention right away because everyone loves a good challenge.
It’s important because it makes people want to know what happens next. They think, “How did they get out of that?”
It makes the story fun to read by making readers curious. They feel like they’re solving the problem with you.
(remember - curiosity killed the cat)
2. Explain what life was like
This step is about showing what your normal day was like before everything went wrong. It sets the scene.
This matters because it lets readers see how big the problem really is. They get why it’s a big deal.
It makes the story better by giving a “before” picture. Readers can see how much things change.
(you have to make it feel real and relatable - the reader should see themselves in this)
3. Shed light on the obstacles you faced
Here you talk about all the tough things that made it hard to solve your problem. These can be things you’re scared of or problems that pop up.
This is key because it shows how tough the journey was. It’s not just about the problem but fighting to fix it.
This keeps readers hooked by making them wonder, “How will they get past this?” It’s like watching a hero in a movie.
(at this point it feels hard, like a mountain to climb, the reader feels for you)
4. Call to the ‘aha’ moment
This is when you suddenly figure out how to fix everything. It’s a big lightbulb moment.
This part is cool because it’s the turning point. It’s where things start to get better.
It makes the story exciting. Readers feel a rush when they get to this part.
(this is where you as the writer become the hero to the reader, you are escaping with them)
5. Explain the steps you had to take
Now you tell how you fixed the problem, step by step. It shows you didn’t give up and worked hard.
This is important because it shows action. You didn’t just think about it. You did something.
This part is motivating. It shows readers that with effort, they can solve problems too.
(aka providing value)
6. Skip to end result
Finish by showing how everything turned out in the end. This is where you see the results of your hard work.
This is important because it wraps up the story. Readers see that tackling problems can lead to good things.
It leaves readers feeling good. They see that no matter how tough things get, there’s always a way to make them better.
(we all love a happy ending)
(no not THAT type of happy ending)
Stories aren’t just fun to write. They help you sell.
They make a huge difference because it increases your prospects trust in you.
You become more than just “content”.
They know you, they like you, they relate to you.
And the more people KLT (know, like, trust) you the more willing they are to open their wallets for you.
Now, you can take this framework and write stories anywhere:
- Email newsletters
- X
- Quora
- Medium
Anywhere.
Tell stories and watch how easy it becomes to make sales.
Cheers,
Matt
