It can be easy to bog down business writing with facts and statistics. However, when you do this, you risk losing your audience. That’s why it’s important to keep your readers engaged through storytelling.
Business writing can incorporate storytelling elements just as effectively as fiction writing. Infusing a business book with narrative elements can transform dry topics into captivating journeys that resonate with your readers.
Let’s take a look at how you can add storytelling to your business writing.
Define your purpose and audience
Before you start writing your business book, identify your purpose and target audience. Who are you trying to reach? Why? Understanding what knowledge you want to share and who will benefit the most from it will help you tailor your storytelling to connect with them.
Unveil your hero (protagonist)
In the world of business, the hero is often a successful entrepreneur, a visionary leader, or an innovative thinker. But it can also be an employee. Your protagonist is the person who best represents your story and who can connect with your audience the most.
Tailor your protagonist to your purpose and audience. If you are trying to hire more people, having an entrepreneur tell a story about how their new business model benefits employees is good. But having one of the employees who benefit from the new business model tell the story is even better.
Introduce your protagonist early on and establish their journey as the central focus of your book. Share their challenges, experiences, and how they overcome obstacles to create a relatable connection with your readers.
Some examples of stories your protagonist can tell are:
- Who am I? – Shares life experiences, goals, success, failure, values, personal history
- I’m here because … – Explains motivations, how they got where they are, and how others can benefit
- Teaching moment – Connects with audience to show them how changing a particular behavior, point of view, or learning a skill can have valuable results
- Anticipating reactions – Knows the audience’s worries or perspective and addresses them, validating them, before they voice them; identifies the protagonist as on the audience’s side
Plot a clear path (outline)
Every good story has a well-structured plot, and your business book should be no different. Create a clear outline that lays out the chapters, topics, and progression of ideas in a logical and organized manner. This will help you maintain a cohesive flow throughout your book while keeping your readers intrigued about what comes next.
Add conflict and tension
Incorporate conflicts and tension to make your business book more dynamic. Highlight the hurdles your hero faced, the risks they took, and the obstacles they conquered. By addressing challenges head-on, you demonstrate that success in the business world is not without its difficulties, making your story more authentic and inspiring.
Use real-life examples and case studies
Engage your readers by illustrating your key concepts with real-life examples and case studies. These anecdotes breathe life into your business book, making it more relevant and relatable to your audience. Whether it’s a startup’s journey to success or a company’s turnaround story, these tangible illustrations will make your points more memorable.
Develop compelling characters
Besides the protagonist, enrich your narrative with supporting characters – real people whose experiences align with the themes of your book. These could be employees, customers, or industry experts. By featuring diverse perspectives, you create a multi-dimensional story that draws readers into the world you’ve created.
Create a sense of progression
As with any great story, your business book should have a sense of progression. Guide your readers through a logical sequence of ideas, gradually building upon each one. Ensure that the transitions between chapters are seamless and that the book flows naturally, making it easy for readers to follow along.
Use natural language
Keep things simple and real. You want to reach your audience by being authentic. You don’t want to use too many business-specific words or over describe situations. Say what you need to say, but don’t overdo it. If a simpler word can replace a big one, let it. At the same time, if you want to immerse your readers, do take time to use sensory words to draw them into your world and bring your concepts to life.
Incorporating elements of storytelling into your business book can transform it from a mundane instructional manual to an engaging and memorable experience for your readers. By defining your purpose, creating compelling characters, and weaving in real-life examples, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a book that resonates with your audience.
Remember, the key to success lies in striking a balance between sharing valuable business insights and keeping your readers enthralled in a captivating narrative.