BIP Day 29: Why a story file can save hours of frustration when creating content
Even works if you never tell tales
Note: This is the weekly newsletter. I have a weekday update when I'm building a course that you can opt-out of. For directions on how to only get my weekly newsletter click here.
Hi,
Here we are at Day 29 of building the Atomic Course's Blueprint.
I can't wait to share with you the course when it is complete. In today's update, I've got the following:
1. Article: Why a story file can save hours of frustration when creating content
2. An invitation to join the special waiting list for the course
3. The Day 29 update
Let's get started.
Why a story file can save hours of frustration when creating content
At the 1904 world's fair, an ice cream vendor had a huge problem.
He'd run out of cups with which to serve ice cream. He'd travelled a long distance to get to the fair and with no way to sell his frozen treats, he'd lose a lot of money.
The next stall over, he noticed a Syrian cook selling thin pastries. He partnered with the cook to shape those confections into a cone that could hold ice cream. These new ice cream containers were a hit and became the waffle cones we all know and love.
A new idea got this ice cream vendor out of a sticky situation.
There will be times when you need an engaging story for an article, a video or other content. You search your mind and you’re stuck like the ice cream vendor out of cups.
How will you get unstuck and find the story you need?
One solution is to make sure you collect your stories in advance. The easiest way to do that is with a story file.
A story file is a place to keep stories.
When you are in need of a story, you can look for one in your story file and viola! You have a story. No need to wrack your brain.
So how do we go about creating such a story file?
Get a software that can easily store notes such as Apple Notes, Evernote, Google Drive, etc.
Create a folder called Stories
The next time you remember a story or hear a story, add a note to the file
The next time you need a story, look there and you'll often find a suitable tale
I just did that recently. I needed another anecdote for the storytelling bonus. I'd already included so many as examples and I just couldn't find one that fit the lesson I was working on.
I then went into my story file and the second note I saw was a perfect fit.
I'm sure I'd have found a story eventually, even without a story file, but it would have taken up a lot more time and energy.
But what do you do if you don't encounter many stories in your day to day life?
Every human being encounters stories in their daily life. We live them. We hear them. But we also forget them. Write down the most interesting thing that happened to you each day for a week and you'll find you have more stories than you thought.
And if that doesn't work for you, listen closely when you are around your friends and family. They share stories with you and will share many if you appear interested. Write these stories down soon after you hear them. Yes, you can use your crazy uncle's tales too. The only limits are common decency.
Remember that story about the ice cream vendor?
I found it in my story file. So get started with a story file today. The next time you need a story you'll be glad you did.
Want to be one of the first to get the Atomic Course's Blueprint?
Click here to join the waiting list
Once on the waiting list, you'll hear about something special only the first buyers of the the new course will get. So join to find out what’s in store.
Day 29 Build In Public update
Today I wrote both the introduction and conclusion for the premium storytelling bonus.
I used stories for those parts including the one I found in my storytelling file which I mentioned in today's article.
My next steps will involve
editing the entire text of the course,
reading it aloud to ensure it is smooth,
then adding the final visual touches such as graphics, images and captions.
The finish line is near.
Thanks for reading this far. You’re a champ.