Stories can be profoundly cathartic — and catalytic. Their rendering of people’s lived experiences can help us make sense of ourselves, the world around us — and the worlds away from us. They have the power to remind us we’re part of something bigger, and through this we can better understand and process what has happened to us.    

We all know narratives are powerful. Good or bad, they inform who we are. They shape how we, from a young age, perceive ourselves and our place in society.

So then, telling any story comes with great privilege. For charities facing such a complex web of challenges and pressures, the responsibility to tell the stories that matter weighs more heavily than ever.

This is exactly what drove me to put down on paper the ingredients for successful, purposeful, impactful storytelling. That and because CharityComms asked me to.

And here they are:

Purpose, People, Participation and Platform. Four pillars or lenses to help modern audiences feel, think and do.

Read my guide on CharityComms website

UPDATE: Our storytelling strategy guide was cited in Third Sector, after inspiring CharityComms CEO Adeela Warley to talk about the importance of having the right starting points when crafting stories that seek to turn the dial in society.