Using Storytelling to Represent Diversity Groups

December 12, 2022

By Joanna Chu

As companies start to write their digital brand stories, it’s important to consider diversity and inclusion in their storytelling. Despite many organizations adopting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, there are still many barriers and issues that hinder underrepresented groups and their stories from being portrayed and represented within brands.

In addition to considering elements of storytelling on digital platforms, brands need to consider who they are telling these stories to/for and whether or not these stories are reaching all audiences. Audiences want to hear stories about their peers and this is especially true for diverse and minority groups that may not feel that they fit within a brand story due to underrepresentation.

How to use basic storytelling elements to include diverse voices?

• Create a relatable story. A story that will stick with your audience is one that is universal—this universality can be the message or theme, characters, setting or experience. If your diverse audience is able to relate to your story and you have created universality for them then they are more likely to identify with your story.
• Think about the purpose of your story. What is the goal or reason that you are writing? What will make your diverse audience care? Is there a character that they care about because they relate to it? What about a certain setting or language? A message?
• All stories should have a clear structure and focus. Write your story following the story spine structure and you will have a clear story arc.

Some diversity elements to consider when writing include ethnic groups, levels of physical capabilities, levels of mental health, religious groups and sexual orientation. This is not a comprehensive list but a starting point when considering the voices of underrepresented groups in digital storytelling.

It is important for all digital storytellers and marketers to consider these storytelling elements when representing diversity groups. Stories that represent diversity, equity and inclusion help create and foster safe spaces—it leads the groundwork for important conversations. That’s why it is important for brands and organizations to try harder to consider underrepresented groups in their digital storytelling and the digital medias that they produce.