QViews: Better Storytelling with 3 Reveals, from Ann Handley

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Better Storytelling with 3 Reveals, from Ann Handley

June 04, 2023

I'm still on the road to become a good storyteller, and Ann Handley recently offered a great tip. (A-ha: better way to connect with the reader.)

Total Annarchy newsletter: Yes, You Did See Me on MasterChef, 2023-Jun-4 by Ann Handley

Every story should reveal three truths. I call this the 3 Reveals (because I'm not great at titles).

THE 3 REVEALS

Reveal the writer to the reader: Help the reader understand the writer.

Reveal the reader to the reader: Help the reader see themselves.

Reveal an idea: Help deliver an a-ha moment.

Any story is a kind of partnership between the writer and the reader.

When one of the truths isn't present—a story falls flat. Feels inauthentic. Is boring.

A balance between all 3 Reveals is key. Over-indexing on one can easily throw the whole experience out of whack, like a wobbly wheel on a shopping cart that keeps listing too much to the right. You fight it—and the whole thing becomes annoying.

Posted at 12:23 PM in Heart on your sleeve, Leadership, Worthy of imitation | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Theresa has been writing the QViews blog, her perspective on marketing, Houston, organizations, and innovation for fifteen years.

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BACKGROUND

Theresa Quintanilla

- With MBA in Marketing from Columbia University, began career at Ogilvy & Mather on the advertising account for COMPAQ.

- Discovered passion for using data and technology to surmount marketing challenges.

- Managed various technology accounts and helped win the home decor account Deck The Walls.

- Doubled the size of team at Ogilvy by increasing client satisfaction and account profitability.

- Helped diverse companies uncover fresh data about customers, opening up new opportunities.

- At Service Corporation International, helped prearrangement customers experience new services to help them manage their future.

- At Griffing & Company accounting, discovered accountants were loved by customers for unexpected reasons, opening up new opportunities.

- At Microcomputer Power, CGI, Shell and Service Corporation International, managed complex marketing databases and supported sales with leads and CRM tools.

- Managed and installed several customer relationship management systems, including Salesforce, Goldmine, ACT and Nimble.

- Launching a startup called Steady CRM, and developing the first alumni loyalty program for Columbia University using a regional pilot program.

My Other Accounts

Recommended Books

The Cluetrain Manifesto: The End of Business as Usual
by David Weinberger, Doc Searls, Christopher Locke, and Rick Levine. The bible of marketing in the 21st century. Defines a new foundation between organizations and their audiences. (*****)
Permission Marketing : Turning Strangers Into Friends And Friends Into Customers
by Seth Godin. The other foundational book for marketing in the 21st century. Ought to called The Law of Permission Marketing because ignoring it is as dangerous as ignoring gravity. (*****)
Creating Customer Evangelists: How Loyal Customers Become a Volunteer Sales Force
by Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba. The best book on how to build and maintain a brand community. (****)
The Rebel Rules: Daring to be Yourself in Business
by Chip Conley. Guidebook for designing a company that will be clearly focused on creating an excellent customer experiences. (****)
Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind
by Al Ries and Jack Trout. Only rated three stars because so much here is now 'common knowledge' in marketing. Still, one of the best marketing books of the last century and essential reading if you're new to the field. Plus, a fun, quick read. (****)