Advocacy AND NonProfits Using Storytelling for GOOD

* *Digital Storytelling

Advocacy Projects andNonProfit Organizations

Using StoryTelling for Good

Curated by Bernajean Porter

Explain a complex problem

Spread the news

Gain Support

Raise money

Move People to Take ACTION http://www.flickr.com/photos/54665509@N00/2226574367/

Stories Help Advocacy Projects / Nonprofits

When we are told a story,

we also empathetically experience and connect with the story

Read numbers, lists, text

Read/hear/ feel stories

Our brains process stories differently:Facts Tell but Stories SELL

http://lifehacker.com/5965703/the-science-of-storytelling-why-telling-a-story-is-the-most-powerful-way-to-activate-our-brains

* *Elements of a Strong Story

Long form or short, they all have a few similar elements

Strong Stories moves us to connect with other cultures, societies, times, places and people

• Has a relatable “main character”• Simplifies a complex idea to its essence• Elicits an emotion• Creates a connection with the audience• Gives the audience one strong message [THE POINT]• Inspires action• Has a story arc

A Strong Digital Story . . .

*a good story can also be very, very simple and brief!

The stronger you make the story, the more effective your reach will

be for your audience.

* *STORIES THAT NEED TO BE TOLD

Florida House

• Founder(s)• What / Why You Are Doing THIS• Your People Stories ~ Making it

REAL• Impact Stories ~ Successes

* *FOUNDER’S STORY: QUOTE/PHOTO

http://www.volunteermatch.org/nonprofits/stories/spotlight.jsp?id=91

* *Compare and ContrastTwo Advocacy Stories

Which do YOUconnect with?

* *WHAT / WHY YOU DO: STORY ONE

Brookliine Kids.org

* *WHAT / WHY YOU DO: STORY TWO

* *Ahem Facts Tell ~ Stories Sell

Social Impact Architects on Using StoryTelling

http://socialimpactarchitects.com/cause-story-

telling.shtml

* *YOUR PEOPLE STORIES: VIDEO

http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/category/face-and-voice-of-homelessness/

http://splash.org/why

http://splash.org/stories/meet-bethy

Or curate small moments of image-based stories that connect us emotionally, and convey by amassing messages an urgent pattern that needs us to take action!

http://whoneedsfeminism.tumblr.com/

Simple storytelling through crowdsourced stories

* *

Catapult.org

IMPACT STORIES ~ SUCCESSES

How Many PROJECTS for Good do YOU recognize @ http://www.catapult.org/

These slides were curated using multiple sources, originally based

on slides created by Debra Askanase, presenter @ Mass

Nonprofit Network Annual Conference 2013.

Much gratitude to many people working for GOOD in the world