Planning a great story? Start here.

Every story starts with an idea. But, to make a good story great, ask yourself these questions as you work through the story planning process.

Who are you writing for?

What do they look like? How do they behave? By identifying your audience before you start writing your story you can weave in aspects that are important to them, and reflect their values. Look to make the audience the hero, if possible.

What’s the message?

Summarize your key message into one compelling statement. Think about the moral of the story and avoid confusing your audience with multiple messages.

What do I know about this?

Avoid making yourself the hero (leave that for the audience!) but include your own experiences as much as possible. Highlight the emotion of your personal struggles, to help others relate.

Reference: Carolyn O’Hara, How to Tell a Great Story, Harvard Business Review.