Comments on: The best blogs tell stories

By: Video Monday 2: What’s a story? — Ingenioustries.com

Video Monday 2: What’s a story? — Ingenioustries.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:07:44 +0000

[...] little bit more on what I mean by stories. A lot of the comments asked specifically what I meant by your blog needs to have a story, so I thought I’d provide a little bit more information on that. Basically it can mean a lot [...]

By: My first video post — Ingenioustries.com

My first video post — Ingenioustries.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:02:22 +0000

[...] of talked about just trying to figure out why blogs are popular, why they’re not, etc. and good blogs tell stories is basically what I talked about [...]

By: Joel Kelly

Joel Kelly — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:59:25 +0000

Glen: The best I've been able to articulate "story" I've written in this post: http://ingenioustries.blogspot.com/2009/07/keys-to-storytelling-blog.html

Basically, I mean something about the blog that makes it more interesting than another blog talking about the exact same subject, with similar information. Something more than just the information imparted.

By: Glenmore

Glenmore — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:22:45 +0000

I think you have to clarify the 'story' in storytelling. Some people may interpret it to mean 'once upon a time' or that it be biographical, but I think what is vital is that posts have a beginning, middle and end.

I think to be successful you have to be genuine and passionate first.

Passionate in that you aren't necessarily focused on collecting readership, just on communicating. Write about something that interests you, otherwise it will be transparent to the reader and easy to quit for the author.

Genuine in that you believe your words, if only for that moment. I used to beat myself up for not blogging 2 or 3 times a week and then I realized I didn't have much to say and if I forced it, it is evident.

I think you can have a good post that contains bullet points and that doesn't reference your personal life, but a good post should contain the basic structure of writing...
...and be short...

By: Joel Kelly

Joel Kelly — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:07:00 +0000

Yeah, I'm having trouble with that part too, Stuart. It's a fun ride trying to sort it all out that, eh?

By: Stuart Foster

Stuart Foster — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:36:48 +0000

I'm trying…although the strings that hold my dialogue together are rather weak. I do like to utilize different stories and ideas to just incite conversation. So if I had to pick a story title that's probably what I would go with.

By: Joel Kelly

Joel Kelly — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:50:27 +0000

Eden: Thanks for the great info, glad you liked the post!

Gifted Typist: Perhaps you're right, but I think good writing gets lost online too much…

By: Gifted Typist

Gifted Typist — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:19:19 +0000

Actually, I think you're talking about good writing.

Whether on a blog, in a magazine or an ad campaign.

You are correct in that you have to engage the audience with something they don't get elsewhere and something that makes them want to come back for more.

By: Eden Spodek

Eden Spodek — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:51:17 +0000

Joel, you are right on the money with this one. Social media is all about storytelling. Last week I attended Podcasters Across Borders. Despite the name, this conference wasn't about podcasting at all - it was about telling the best stories, real stories from real storytellers. In the end, it doesn't matter if you're using the next shiny object or you know how to make something really cool. If you can't tell a story, it's irrelevant.

Some of the most interesting examples of storytelling at the conference included Jowi Taylor sharing his Six String Nation journal and Connie Crosby introducing us to Shanachies.

By: Joel Kelly

Joel Kelly — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:08:06 +0000

Exactly, Darrin.