How you can apply Digital Storytelling in your business strategy

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Technology is an increasingly important part of almost everything we do in the digital age. We rely on it to keep in touch with loved ones, earn a living and entertain ourselves in our free time.

It also became a fundamental element of the way we organize, tell and share botim database stories in the marketing world .

Today's consumers want more than just great products to buy or services that make their lives easier. They want to feel connected to the brands they buy from - they want brands to tell them a story .

Since the dawn of civilization, a good story is the key to human connection and digital storytelling combines the power of a good marketing story with modern and innovative tools to reach a target audience in a new dimension.

In this post you will learn everything you need to know to integrate this resource into your marketing strategy.

Keep reading!

What is digital storytelling?
What are the key elements of digital storytelling?
What are the benefits of digital storytelling?
How to build a digital storytelling strategy?
Conclusion: Exceptional brands start with incredible stories
What is digital storytelling?
Traditional storytelling—as it has always existed—uses physical tools and materials to convey information and prove a point.

Think pens or pencils, paper, records, tapes, physical films, original artwork, and more. Digital storytelling accomplishes the same thing, just using digital tools, materials, and communication methods.

Of course, many digital storytelling methods employ elements such as:

videos;
digital images;
written texts;
audios.
However, they can also include social media material such as tweets, Instagram stories or interactive content .

The best digital storytelling materials are designed to be highly engaging and emotionally compelling , the perfect combination to establish a connection with your target audience .

They can also cover a lot of ground and include many formats, from hypertext stories to elaborate interactive experiences designed to explain complex concepts.


What are the key elements of digital storytelling?
Although digital storytelling can be applied in many different practical contexts, there are still certain elements that need to be taken into account, as suggested by concept pioneer Joe Lambert.

Lambert and other digital storytelling experts don't believe in adhering to a formula that impedes creativity .

However, the seven elements of digital storytelling, as presented by the Center for Digital Storytelling (CDS) in Berkeley, California, provide an excellent foundation from which to start.

1. Point of view
Every good story contains a personal point of view from the creator . It is what distinguishes an idea that has been tackled many times from other versions and gives it impact.

The author's unique point of view also provides a persuasive framework for the concepts the audience must understand by the end of the narrative.

2. Dramatic question
Every great digital story includes a dramatic question as a centerpiece.

Its purpose is to capture and hold the audience's attention throughout the narrative . Of course, the question is answered at the end as part of the reward for sticking around.

More experienced storytellers also seek to maintain the story's level of emotion by avoiding the expectations associated with the dramatic question.

3. Emotional content
People love stories that allow them to perceive life on a deeper level, so emotion is an integral part of any successful digital story .

Anyone can relate to challenges and adventures , such as love, loss, life or death, loneliness or connection.

Stories that include these elements in a meaningful way engage the audience and compel them to pay full attention to the narrative from beginning to end.

4. The voice of the narrator
In an age when many people prefer digital messaging over phone calls, hearing a voice is a powerful experience .

That said, a truly inspiring story told verbally in the narrator's own voice has a personal quality that is hard to come by any other way.

Tone, softness, timbre, and all the little personal qualities that an individual voice can have underline the meaning of the story and help establish a deeper connection with the audience.

5. Rhythm
Great stories are like great songs in that each has a particular rhythm: flow and rhythm are the secret ingredient to successful storytelling.

Using a combination of skill and well-chosen audiovisual elements can help control the pace of a story, speeding it up or slowing it down as needed, for an all-round effective experience.

6. Soundtrack
Speaking about how the right sound effects can enhance the way a digital storytelling unfolds, it is crucial to consider the soundtrack.

Music and sound effects can add a lot of depth to a narrative and create powerful emotional cues that help the audience respond the way you would like.

Many digital creators find that adding the soundtrack at the end of the process as a finishing touch is the best approach.

7. Economy
One of the keys to great digital storytelling is knowing the difference between being thorough and overwhelming your audience with too much information.

The most effective digital stories are short and make wise use of visual elements to create rich narratives that are accessible from start to finish.

Economy not only keeps the practical execution of the story in check, it encourages storytellers to focus only on the most crucial elements of a project.

rock content magazine experience and engagement
What are the benefits of digital storytelling?
While digital storytelling is undoubtedly a modern and contemporary way to convey your marketing messages, the benefits go far beyond simply staying up to date.

Below we will see some of the most important ones. Keep reading!

Humanize your brand
While today's consumers certainly want excellence and convenience in the products and services they purchase, they are also looking for something more.

They want to buy from brands they feel a personal connection to , brands that make them feel like their purchasing decision has real meaning .

Storytelling is a powerful way to answer your audience's burning questions while humanizing your brand .

Generate content with viral potential
If you really want to produce epic stories that work, it's not enough to simply capture and hold your audience's attention. You also need to inspire them to share your content with others .

Digital Stories allow you to create content optimized for different platforms and engage people at the level necessary to get them to click the share button.

Offer genuine value to your audience
One of the most innovative things a brand can do to endear itself to its target demographic is to distinguish itself as a go-to source for valuable content.

Digital storytelling not only gives you a way to persuade people that they should buy from you by sharing the benefits of your catalogue: it is also a means by which you can empower, inform and inspire your audience .

It is an effective SEO booster
Keeping your website properly optimized for search engines is naturally one of your main concerns as a business owner or marketing professional.

Digital storytelling gives you a powerful boost in this field by:

foster widespread social exchange;
strengthen your ongoing catalog of quality backlinks ;
fill your website or blog with a constant stream of valuable multimedia content .
It sets you apart from everyone else
Content is still king in the digital age , but being a genius at producing amazing content with value is not enough to propel your brand to the top .

Competition is also good at producing content, but they don't have your unique brand identity or narrative voice.

These are the only things that can truly differentiate a content creator , and digital storytelling is a perfect showcase for them.

Fosters a sense of community
People are social beings. Even very introverted individuals sometimes want to feel connected to others and need to feel like they belong in some environment.

Digital storytelling is a powerful way to meet these needs of your customers .

So consider the space you’d like to create for your audience (is it environmentally responsible and socially conscious ?). Then use digital stories to associate your brand with those values.

Generate lasting loyalty
Repetition is everything when it comes to making your brand a success. However, overdoing it on promotions or content about yourself may get you some sales initially, but it doesn't foster lasting customer relationships or cultivate true loyalty .

Digital storytelling nurtures those connections by helping your audience feel supported rather than exploited.

How to build a digital storytelling strategy?
Great digital stories definitely start with equally great ideas , but that's not all there is to building a partner strategy that delivers results.

Here are some tips to ensure your stories resonate with your audience and propel your brand to success.

Keep reading, now the best part is coming!