Good storytelling is not limited to your favorite piece of fiction.

There’s no need to save your storytelling efforts for that book you’re going to write one day.

Matter of fact, NOW is when you should be getting good at it if you have your sights set on a best-seller.

Don’t care about having a best-selling book? Just want someone to read your blog post one time?

This is for you, too. 

5 Ways to Channel Your Inner Mark Twain While Writing Online:

#1. Have a clear beginning, middle and end.

It’s literally an email, I’m not Colleen Hoover. WHAT DO YOU MEAN? It doesn’t matter what you’re writing. If your readers have brains (they do), they prefer information that is organized this way, whether they know it or not. We aren’t pros, but one way we try to solidify the storytelling framework inside Salesgirl Social is by signing off each newsletter with a distinct ending sentence.

Example:

#2. Use specificity wherever you can.

Specificity is what differentiates your blog post from the other 896 on the exact same topic. Specificity gives way to your tone. Without that, your readers might as well go read academic journals and encyclopedias. I’ve never heard anyone say, “she just gets me” while reading the instruction manual for an air fryer. Look for any opportunity to add personality and before you know it, you’ll have a voice that people recognize merely from your words. 

Example:

#3. Show your work. 

Why is it such a delight when you’re reading a thiccc, wordy book and you stumble upon a picture? Like you really didn’t have to do this but thank you so much. Visuals not only make things more memorable, but they re-engage your reader. Afraid your words won’t do a concept justice? Same. Find a way to show them instead. 

Example:

#4. Consider your beginnings.

People smarter than me call this a HOOK. I’ve found I’m not strong enough to handle that pressure yet. What I ask instead is: how can I start this in a way that’s not my first instinct? In fact, I almost always change the beginning line of a newsletter. If it was my first try, it was too predictable. Your hook, or beginning statement, should make the reader want more. At the very least you can make them wonder where the heck you are about to take this. 

Example:

#5. Read it back.  

It’s tempting to push send and throw your laptop across the room on everything you write. And truthfully, I would much rather you do that than not send what you have to say at all. But if you want to work on your storytelling skills, reading it back to yourself out loud can illuminate gaps and wordiness. We’ve been hearing stories since we were kids. Intrinsically we are trained to enjoy them and want more! If you don’t enjoy reading your own writing, I can assure you that your audience doesn’t either. 

Example:

I have no footage of me actually doing this (fortunately for you), but just know that points 1-4 are enhanced through this step in every single thing that we write. 

This is the end.

Xo, The Salesgirls

PS. I know we’re traditionally non-fiction fans, but reply with your favorite fiction book or author. We’ll share the list!

Local to Atlanta? 🌆

We’re opening up The Salesgirls HQ so YOU can be part of a live studio audience while YouTube videos are filmed each week! Reply to this email and I’ll give the details on how you can join the list of locals that gets the filming updates. See you soon?!