Have you ever experienced bad customer service? Sure, you have. Now, how many times have you told that story? I bet when you share that story, the emotion of the experience comes flooding back.
Stories are compelling; people relate to stories. People relate to and remember stories. We are deeply moved by a good story and we inevitably end up sharing them. What story are you currently telling?
If history and impact is our criteria, then Jesus is, hands down, the Master Storyteller. After all, he has had more ‘shares’ over the last 2000 years than anyone in history. He had a critically important message for the world, and he cut through the noise, distractions, ambivalence and opposition of the day to tell it. He even set the stage for his message to go viral. Jesus’s last instructions to his followers were to ‘go’ and ‘tell’ people.
Story is at the heart of Jesus’ communication style. Whether walking dusty roads with his disciples or preaching to a crowd of thousands, Jesus used stories to share his message. Interestingly, Matthew 13:34 records, “Jesus used stories when he spoke to the people. In fact, he did not tell them anything without using stories.” Fascinating! How are you telling your story?
Jesus knew his audience. He chose the medium of stories so people could relate to his message. Fishermen, farmers, and Pharisees all heard metaphors drawn from their everyday reality. People could relate because Jesus’ stories spoke to the profound and timeless needs of humanity.
“Jesus used stories when he spoke to the people. In fact, he did not tell them anything without using stories.”
– Matthew 13:34
He also used stories so people would remember and retell His message. For example, the powerful story of the prodigal son can be proven out as one of the most popular and powerful stories of all time. The term ‘prodigal’ is part of everyday language even today. The story captured Rembrandt’s imagination and became a masterpiece. Nearly two thousand years later, that story still speaks to a deep longing in the human heart.
If you have a message to share, and every savvy entrepreneur does, take a moment to look to the Master Storyteller. Look to the one who was able to inspire the imaginations of people hundreds of years into the future. Look to the one who communicated so clearly and powerfully that many would even be willing to die to be part of His story.
Does your marketing effort include a story? How do you invite your existing customers to go and tell others about your services?
