 The focus of our COVID talk has shifted to the viral mutations sprouting up around the world. From South Africa and the UK to California and Brazil, variants are making headlines.
The appearance of mutations is not surprising. Viruses are replicating machines—literally, they’re not even technically alive—and with every replication comes the possibility of mutation. Because it’s not sentient, the virus isn’t looking to become more potent or transmissible, it just happens sometimes. Advantageous mistakes that result from replication are selected for; this concept of natural selection also underpins the Darwinian theory of evolution. And while the virus can’t think, I would argue that those of us who are capable of reasoning have something to learn here. Goodness knows the virus has caused many hardships and horrors for humankind; all opportunities to find a positive learning are worth pursuing.  Whether we care to admit it or not, a lot of politics is really marketing.
We like the guy with the best presentation style, the nice head of hair. Research even shows that we Americans seem to have a thing for tall men; our presidents are consistently taller than average height, and the taller candidate often wins out over the shorter one. Some of what we look for in presidential candidates is shallow (don't get me started on the double standard women face when they run for office), but the best politicians use storytelling, another marketing technique, to get their message out there. Since today is Inauguration Day, I thought it would be fitting to look back on some of the most famous inaugural speeches in American history. These words did more than whip up the crowd or party base. They spoke to the psyche of the nation. They addressed our greatest fears and hopes. And they set the course for the coming four years. That’s the power of great storytelling.  After months of waiting, the coronavirus vaccine is finally here. The rollout is beginning globally, but the story around it is muddled. Some are thrilled (perhaps overly so, thinking of the vaccine as a magic bullet that will restore normalcy overnight). Others are skeptical, fearful of the science underpinning the vaccine or the speed with which it was developed.
The New York Times recently reported on the erosion of vaccine-related doubt, but there’s still more we can do to fine-tune the story around the safety and efficacy of the COVID vaccine. With misinformation floating around out there, it’s incumbent upon the media and government agencies to form a united storytelling front—one that assuages fears and creates an alliance in our fight against the virus. When it comes to the best approach to win over skeptics and disseminate correct information widely, there are a few smart storytelling moves I’ve seen in recent weeks. These are the strategies we should lean into to get everyone on board with the vaccine.  I’m a runner, and I see it every year: On January 1, there are suddenly tons of people out on my usual running route. The New Year’s Resolutioners. I’m always rooting for them, but their numbers quickly begin to dwindle. By mid-February, it’s back to just me and the regulars I see year after year.
The studies about New Year’s resolutions bear that out. According to research from workout app Strava, January 17 is when most folks abandon their good intentions for the new year and slip back into old habits. Yikes. Obviously, both marketers selling resolution-related products or services and the individuals themselves are doing something wrong here. So I wondered, is there a way to use storytelling to make New Year’s resolutions stick? Storytelling can help individuals keep with those 2021 resolutions well into the year—to the benefit of both people and brands. Here are tips businesses and individuals can use to make resolutions last to 2022 and beyond.  Marketers know the power of good storytelling. It changes mindset. It opens you up to new possibilities. It creates a lasting impression.
Stories stick with us. According to Jennifer Aaker of the Stanford Graduate School of Business, stories are 22 times more memorable than facts alone. Of course, storytelling is a powerful ancient tradition. One that reaches far beyond the bounds of marketing. So today, I’d like to encourage you to practice storytelling in your own life, as a gift to yourself this holiday season. |