Content Marketing Through Storytelling

When we say "content marketing", it simply refers to how you package your brand, product, or service, such that it attracts the audience to convert them to sales. There are various ways to market content, but one that has been there for ages is content marketing through storytelling.

Consumers of information these days are not really interested in data about your content, and that is because our generation can get the data easily, we know the tips and tricks, we can access the news, we can see ideas, and so importunate marketing is one thing we have learned not to settle for.

These days, people love sensational content, content that they can relate with, content that starts a relationship between the brand, product or service and the audience, and that is what storytelling does. Storytelling is a powerful tool for content creators, and that is why you can easily remember some TV adverts from way way back (P.S I still remember Joy soap advert, Vedan seasoning, Toyota, Cadbury's eclairs, etc. from the early '90s) storytelling has the ability to influence emotions.

The first logical question here is why you should try to use storytelling in your marketing strategy. Well, there are several reasons for that.

First of all, stories are interesting. People are curious in nature, and many of them are good listeners. When a narration is genuinely impressive, they are willing to spend a lot of time digging into these stories. In childhood, we love to listen to fairy tales; when we grow up, we hear the stories of our friends. Captivating stories are entertaining for everyone, even asocial people.

 Second of all, stories gain trust. Whomever you decide to share your personal stories with, it makes you closer, right? The thing is that storytelling is quite an intimate thing. You don’t tell stories just to anyone. The same as in life, publishing an engaging story on your site will help you become closer to your readers who will come back for more stories.

And finally, people are just more perceptive towards stories, in contrast to dry statistics and facts.

We are social creatures who need to compare ourselves to other people, feel a connection to them and put ourselves in their shoes.

Defining the goal

If you are squeezing marketing into one simple goal, it is probably going to be “to sell”. It is true, but thinking solely about this goal when you work on your storytelling content is not very useful. If you focus only on sales, you will probably end up with a big advertising bill.

Keeping in mind that selling is your goal, you need to build trusting relationships with your potential buyers. That’s why you shouldn’t focus on sales entirely at this point, but focus on having a conversation with your audience.

Now, let’s talk about the ways you can gain your audience’s trust and make your content go viral.

*PERSONALIZE*

People don’t like reading abstract texts. Tell the story from either your own, or someone else’s point of view (name this person too). Such stories are more likely to evoke empathy.

Make the story teller look as similar to your clients (users, readers, etc.) as possible, having the same problems and worries. This approach would be perfect for a marketing campaign where the main character talks about the product or service, answering the possible questions that people may have.

*Add emotion*

Nostalgia, humor, admiration or even fear – you should tell a story so that it brings out an emotional reaction.

*Offer a scenario that solves a problem*

Create your story such that people can identify with the solution that the product, brand, service brings to a problem

*Support your story with data*

This is self explanatory- do a detailed research, get some facts and statistics to feature in your story

*Get a content creator*

Not everyone is creative enough to create compelling stories around a product, brand or service. If you can't do it yourself, get a content creator to assist.

We have barely touched the surface of content marketing via storytelling, but I hope this gives you an idea of what it's about.

This is Lagos

 

On the Island of the affluent in Lagos, I rarely hear aircraft buzzing in the sky, except the posh helicopters of the busy rich. The airport and flight noise don’t affect the airspace, it only devalues the land.

  

The rich pretend to pray, but God is on the Mainland, land on the island is too expensive to build many worship centers.

The Island was not built for Beer. It is the hub of champagne, spirits, and wines. Beer is for the road, an appetizer bottled on the Mainland.

The Mainland is crowded with families. Life on the island has no friends. Everything is cash or ‘waka’. The roads are expensively tolled, the schools are US ‘Dollard’, and a smile might cost some ‘Nairas’.

The Island expands while the Mainland remains the same. Under neon lights, millions of Mainland ‘ants’ trample on the Third Mainland Bridge into the Island of their dreams. Many die on the bridge, many earn a kobo, and many rob the others.

The Island goes to the Mainland, only to fly & buy cheaper foodstuffs (in bulk). Life on the mainland has many tribes. Bad roads and traffic jamborees in Enugu suburbs like Ago and Okota would eventually pursue ‘Omo Igbo’ to the East. The smart ones live in Yoruba neighborhoods, like itire, with Chinese constructed drainages. Sharp guys have moved into Surulere, the Governor’s neighborhood and the best place to drink. The number of youths in Festac makes one wonder if they ate their parents for dinner.

Ketu is a gang of Yoruba women hustling to breathe. Ikorodu can be great if it gets a bridge into the island. Yaba is the link between books, Aristos, ‘White House’ and an infamous Psyche ward (Yaba-left).yaba

Sex is on Allen, tax is a joyride at Alausa. Obanikoro is the name of a man on the Island and a place in the Mainland. Everything on the Mainland is made in Ilupeju, Ogba, Isolo, Agidingbi, and Oregun. Agbara is not on the Mainland, it’s in Ogun state, like Mowe and Ibafo.

Everything on the Island is imported from the Mainland ports of Apapa and Tin Can. The sound of Mazamaza and Okokomaiko can cure madness. Homes in Idi-Araba are waiting to collapse, thank God for LUTH; Igbobi’s Orthopedics is not too far away.

There is a Lagos state University campus in every Mainland corner; the main campus and a military cantonment are at Ojo. Musicians from Mushin and Ajegunle have monopolized the sympathy of poverty, while Egbeda and Ikotun get no pity.

If eyes are closed in Agege and Iddo when a train passes, one can pretend to be in Grand Central Station. Gbagadans usually pretend to be on the Island, but Oworonshoki can’t get away with such lies. Ogudu GRA insists on being distinct from a conjoined Ojota, while Amuwo-Odofin calls itself Festac Extension.

Iju and Ojodu villages are hyped by estate agents. Ebute-Metta is an old Yoruba phrase: “A place of three shores.” It is a decaying dream of British colonialism and Brazilian architecture.

Most of the residents of Magodo and Omole are Landlords. Maryland is not a saint and Anthony is not a Village. Igando and Ipaja are playing catching up with the state government.

Ikeja is the official capital of Lagos. The State House is on the Island, where the real capital is. Lagos deserves a special status in the constitution.

On the Island, money has relatives. Ikoyi and Victoria Island are twin sisters, posh from birth and wrinkled with age. Lekki is a distant cousin, taxing and full of fraudulent schemes. VGC and Eleko are wealthy uncles, isolated from others and always overseas. Nicon and Parkview are the pretty nieces with feigned American and British accents. Oniru and Elegushi are the nephews from the village, who recently found wealth and arrogance. Ajah is the Step-sister, giving birth to children she can’t feed. Jakande and Igbo-Efon are broke In-laws, hardworking but always in need. Ibeju-Lekki and Epe are the Jilted aunts, feeding on promises and searching for suitors. Obalende is the lost brother without a mind, thought to be dead. Eko, Idumota, and Marina are Triplets of Royal descents, with trade on their minds, and power between their legs. Maroko is the baby that was aborted at Midterm. Makoko is the dirty bastard that wouldn’t disappear. Eko Atlantic City has recently left the incubator, hoping to survive. Many other siblings are just occupying space and causing traffic jams on the Island of the rich. 

This is how I know I’m not on the Island: service attendants begging for money; Lastma officials lurking behind traffic lights; Dunghill switch is everywhere, and I can’t get an Iota of decency.

Don't hold back

Your boy convinced you to not date the girl you like because "Bro, this girl ehn hmm, I’ve heard things about her.” You really liked her but you decided to listen to him because your boys will never lead you astray.

A few months into your "non-exclusive", "title-less" "open relationship" (which she only agreed to because she likes you and in the way, girls do when they fall in love without sense, she thinks you'll change your mind), they bump into each other at a party.

Shiver to the North Pole

So i walked into Hausa Twitter and saw their tweets on child marriage, here’s the link ladunliadinews.com/…/what-people-are-saying-on-hausa-twitte…

Have anyone realized that this child marriage is tilted to one side? It’s actually girl child marriage not child marriage.

Because it would have been fair to look at if a 13yr old boy married a 13yr old girl. But no it’s a 40yr old with penis the size of her hand.

Dear motivational speaker, tell the full story

So yesterday on popular microblogging site, Twitter, that picture above came with the caption “Jeff Bezos 1999. Next time you want to give up, think of this”.

Now, this picture and the caption was supposed to motivate and encourage but the poser failed to tell us that Jeff Bezos went to one of the best schools in the world. Had a top job in the Wall Street. Built fantastic global network. Parents invested over $300,000. Came from an upper class background. Let’s always tell the full story.

Rejoinder: A Lion in the North Sea: The Battle for Chevron Netherlands

I was up quite late last night reading Paddy Adenuga’s beautiful write up theafricaarchive.com/2018/01/29/a-l… .But while so many have dwelt on the “inspirational” aspect of the write up, there is an instructive little portion that a lot must have glossed over.

Church of Christ Rules

I didn’t write this, and don’t know who did. The thing that is interesting is, somebody wrote this (I assume with a sense of being cynical).

The Rules & Pattern of the Church of Christ

1 It must be noted immediately that this list is not to be construed as a written creed. No statement of beliefs or rules outside the Bible itself is permitted. However, it will be permitted that such lists of beliefs or rules shall be allowed if written in a church bulletin or other published material provided that such is clearly designated as not being a written creed. This list is here shared merely as a convenience and with the understanding that there is really no need for such since all these rules are to be found in a clear and unmistakable form scattered throughout the pages of the collected books of the New Testament. It is also to be believed that anyone who truly loves God and the truth will easily find these exact rules and consequently obey.

President Buhari congratulates Jonathan at 60

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated his predecessor, former President Goodluck Jonathan, on his 60th birthday.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President said Jonathan’s foray into politics and ascendency to the highest political office in Nigeria from a humble riverine background testified to the greatness and inclusiveness of Nigeria’s democracy.

Former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, is dead

A former Nigerian Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, is dead.

According to the Sun newspaper, a statement from his family said he died at a London clinic on Sunday.

N700m was not spent on building the mines website - FG

The Federal Government has denied reports stating that it spent N700 million on setting up the Solid Minerals Development website that was inaugurated last week.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Muhammed Abbas stated that the money was spent on infrastructure, human capital, civil works and not a website.

Mr Abbas stated: “The attention of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has been drawn to news making the rounds, especially on the social media that the ministry spent the sum of N700 million creating a website for itself. The ministry considers it incumbent to react swiftly to this misrepresentation and to set the records straight.

$300million Abacha Loot: Jersey Island gives Nigeria conditions for repatriation

The government of Jersey Island has insisted that the Abacha loot would not be released to Nigeria if a third party representation is brought into the picture.

The Honourable Minister and Attorney General of Jersey Island, Robert J. MacRae QC disclosed this on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 during the on going 7th Session of Conference of State Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, holding in Vienna, Austria.