eCommerce storytelling: What is storytelling for an eCommerce company?
Storytelling is an effective method for eCommerce companies as well as most other businesses. We’ve seen it used by just about everyone under the sun. But, before jumping into the benefits and how you may be able to achieve them, you should start by learning more about storytelling and why it is important.
Storytelling is the creation of a narrative around your company and the goods/products it sells. You’re building a brand, not just offering goods. The story frames how your offerings are used, why you created them, the mission behind your company, and much more. Everything you tell someone or want them to know about you and your company is part of the story.
Think of it like that remarkable story you always tell when you meet new people or are hanging out the bar or a conference. It’s usually a quick anecdote that shows how you want others to think of you. It frames how they understand who you are. And, importantly, it is about a situation.
The advice of “show, don’t tell” for this type of storytelling really means that you present yourself (or company) in context of a larger story that proves your point. You don’t just say “I’m the best rock climber;” you tell a story of a mountain you conquered and all the rough parts. You talk about the sweat and effort and everything else that went into making a great climb.
This is about doing that for your company. Since we’re looking at eCommerce, there are a few other considerations that you’ll want once the story is complete. They include background and on-page details to help make your story and the writing more believable and effective:
- A clear goal.
- Well-defined audience.
- List of feelings, emotions, or concepts you want to elicit.
- High-quality images.
- Clean design.
- A call-to-action related to the story you’re telling.
- User reviews or comments.
- A straightforward way for customers to ask questions.
Now that you’ve got an idea of what storytelling is, here are six ways to make sure the next story you tell is captivating, and conversion optimized.