Storytelling Toolkit
Facts can be a good way to make your case, but telling a story can be even more effective. Stories can make your audience laugh, cry or get angry, and emotions like these influence decisions. Plus, stories are much easier to remember than statistics.
I just realized how powerful and effective
stories can be.
- MJC Coordinator
The Why
With stories we can demonstrate that we are doing a good job, highlight important accomplishments, show that we are making a positive difference in the lives of real people in Wisconsin and justify a continued investment in tobacco control.
The What
These types of stories tend to have the greatest impact:
- Stories illustrating how someone's life has improved
- Stories that put a real face on statistics and outcomes
- Stories that show how your organization - or the Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control Program as a whole - has made a difference
Examples
The When
You don't need a brand-new story for every situation. The same story can be used in multiple ways, for instance at an in-district meeting, as public testimony, or while visiting an editorial board.
The How
Besides telling your story in person there are many ways stories can be presented. Just be sure to consider where and how your audience gathers and shares information:
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Printed Materials | First Breath's stop-smoking success stories |
| Websites and Social Media | Wisconsin is Better Smoke-Free's smoke-free air celebration campaign on Twitter |
| Audio | National Public Radio's One Teen's Struggle to Quit Smoking |
| Audiovisual | UW-CTRI's quit-smoking stories |
| Photos | Flickr's "Tell a Story in Five Frames" challenge |
Tips on Using Stories to Promote Change
- "Storytelling as Change Strategy" from Andy Goodman
- Storytelling lessons learned from Wisconsin tobacco control coalitions
- Using stories in public testimony tips and tools
For More Information
The Tobacco Control Resource Center for Wisconsin can help make your stories shine, whether you're telling them face-to-face or through photos, videos, and presentations. Contact Julie Swanson to learn more.
