This Guy Was Ripped

We were baling straw all day and getting ready to stack the bales in our barn’s hay loft. I was probably 12 years old. The bale conveyor was all set up and ready to usher the bales into the loft. Me and a neighbor’s hired hand were the ones that would grab the bales as they reached the hay loft and stack them neatly. I was still standing on the main floor of the barn when the neighbor’s hired hand said, “Here, grab my hand” as he reached down through a small opening between me and the hay loft. I’m thinking, “Yeah, right.” I wasn’t a small kid. I was probably considered “husky”. (That’s what it said on my jeans when I was little anyway.)

So, this guy grabs my hand and lifts me up at least 6 feet into the hay loft. He had his shirt off and as he lifted me, I could see every stomach muscle and arm muscle bulge. Dude, this guy was ripped! That vision is cemented in my brain. He had the physique that I have always wanted. Not huge. Just ripped. Of course, if a friend of mine reads this, he’ll make some childish Brokeback Mountain comment probably. Whatever. My point is…this is a story that I’ll never forget. It’s a memory that will last because at that time in my life I was just starting to be interested in looking good for the girls, being strong, and getting ripped. I was interested in it…I never said I got there.  :-)

I’m convinced that the secret to successful advertising, marketing, and selling…is through storytelling. You have a story. Your customers have stories. And people love to hear stories. Stories are far more interesting to listen to than you carrying on about the features and benefits of doing business with you. So, tell us a STORY that will make your point about your customer service, products, or business.

Weave a good story into your marketing message, and your results will be far better than you’re used to. Don’t you want people to REMEMBER your business when they need what you offer? Stories will make that happen. I don’t care if you’re still using a dying advertising medium like the yellow pages, tell me a quick, relevant story in your ad, and I’ll choose you over all the competitors around you.

I’ve known about the power of stories in marketing for a years. But until recently, I didn’t completely “get it”. I get it now. Use the power of stories. Your advertising and marketing will be “ripped” in no time.

Now, go start thinking of all the stories you could tell that someone would enjoy listening to.

Duane Christensen

Non-Fat Advertising blog