You probably always wanted to become a great writer. I’m happy to show you how the StoryBrand framework can boost your writing career.
For most of us, writing doesn’t come naturally, or it doesn’t feel like it comes naturally, especially writing online and monetizing through a blog.
The reality is that every day there are writers who start a blog only to see it fizzle away because they didn’t have a consistent way to create engaging content.
What if you could learn the framework and techniques to gain more confidence as a writer, and thereby generate more passive income?
What if visitors to your site knew why they should listen to what you have to say?
What if you could get your ideal readers to respond to your messages?
Every writer wants their writing to make an impact, their ideas to inspire others, and to become more widely read.
But the issue is that most writers leave their writing to chance and waste an enormous amount of time on tactics instead of creating a plan for their writing to be impactful.
In this article, we’re going to show you how the StoryBrand 7-part Framework, developed by Donald Miller, will help you become a more confident and productive writer.
You’ll get an overview of each one of the seven parts, using InspireFirst’s community as our example.
Finally, you’ll be able to download a free communication-made-simple template to help you outline blog posts that will hook your readers.
Part 1: Why Stories?
Meaningful stories are the most powerful tool to compel the human brain and heart.
- Stories help us make sense of the world.
- Stories are memorable.
- Stories are interesting.
- Stories are formulaic.
When you understand how to structure every piece of content you write through a story framework, your writing will become more engaging. Discussing your content with a professional StoryBrand certified guide ensures that your readers are going to benefit from useful information.
Part 2: The StoryBrand Framework
The StoryBrand framework has seven parts.
1. A character who wants something
2. The character who has a problem
3. Who meets a guide who understands their problem
4. And gives them a plan
5. That calls them to action
6. That results in success, or
7. In a failure
01 The Character
The story begins when the main character in our story (the hero) wants something.
InspireFirst’s hero is the reader of this blog; that’s you.
If you look at InspireFirst’s about page, they identify the reader as the hero and invite you into a story.
“InspireFirst was launched to teach you the art and science of good writing. It is our goal to help you become a more productive and profitable writer.”
Chris Craft has identified that his reader wants to become a more confident and profitable writer. He has stimulated a desire in you as the reader by clearly identifying something you want or should want.
InspireFirst’s Character
A person who wants to earn passive income through writing
But what’s getting in your way of generating income through your writing?
02 The Problem
The story gets interesting when a conflict is defined. You must talk about your character’s problem.
There are three levels of conflict our character in the story faces.
External Problem
The external problem is the real obstacle that’s getting in our character’s way.
External: I (that’s you, the reader) want to earn passive income through my writing.
Internal Problem
The internal problem is how the external problem is making the hero feel inside.
The internal problem in our example: I’m confused about how to do this (especially with all the passive income resources out there).
Philosophical Problem
Why is it wrong that the hero is facing these external and internal problems?
The philosophical problem: If I’m going to earn passive income through writing, I need the blueprint, resources, and expertise to help me become a successful writer.
03 The character (hero) meets a guide who understands them
The hero isn’t looking for another hero. They’re looking for a guide.
The main character in trouble can’t solve their own problem; otherwise, they’d never have gotten into trouble in the first place.
The fact that you’re a regular reader or stumbled across InspireFirst is that you’re looking for a guide who will help you become a more confident and profitable writer.
How InspireFirst Establishes Empathy
We know writing is hard work and, what’s even harder is generating income online through your writing. You need proven strategies and tactics that will help you become a more productive and confident writer so that you can generate more passive income.
How InspireFirst Could Establish Authority
Regular readers know that InspireFirst founder Chris Craft is humble and doesn’t like to boast. So I will boast for him 😀
With thousands of readers every month, InspireFirst has been inspiring writers and teaching them the art and science of good writing. As a result, readers are confidently growing their passive income with lessons and inspiration through concrete and practical “how-to” points.
Additionally, InspireFirst can showcase several testimonials of readers who have taken the lessons and inspirations from InspireFirst to become a more confident writer.
04 Who gives them a plan
What steps does your reader need to take to overcome their conflict and experience success?
On InspireFirst, the “Start Here” resource page would be a fantastic opportunity to help orient first-time visitors to the site.
Here, Chris could describe how InspireFirst will help you in your journey of becoming a more productive and confident writer.
1. Grab your free copy of the long-form blogging tips ebook.
2. Each week, we email you one tool, tip, or strategy that will help you generate more income through your writing.
3. Write with greater confidence and grow your passive income.
When you give a plan to your readers, you dramatically increase their engagement with your content.
05 And calls them to action
Your readers need to be called to take action, or they just won’t take action!
In our example, a simple, obvious invite such as “Start Here” is a strong call to action.
06 That helps them avoid failure
Your reader is trying to avoid a tragic ending. It’s your responsibility to spell out what is at stake for your readers if they fail to overcome their problem.
As a reader of InspireFirst, you’re trying to avoid the following failures:
- Waste time in failing to grow your readership.
- Leave opportunities on the table through wasted tactics and ineffective strategies.
- Not know which tools you need to do your content research.
- Put in all this hard work in writing, but not be able to get compensated for it.
07 And ends in a success
Never assume readers will understand how your writing can change their lives. You need to tell them.
What will your life look like if you implement the tips and suggestions on InspireFirst? For example, based on the most popular articles on InspireFirst, you see what success looks like to readers of the community:
- You’ll write amazing blog posts. 3×3 Writing Process: Steps to Write More Amazing Blog Posts
- You’ll build a habit of writing engaging content. How to Develop a Daily Writing Habit – A Guide for Authors & Bloggers
- Publish your articles like a pro. Aesthetics Matter: 7 Ways to Optimize Your Blog Through Visual Content
- You’ll generate different ways to earn passive income through your writing.
Now it’s your turn.
Your Brandscript
Download and use the free digital Brandscript on MyStoryBrand.com as a first step to building your StoryBrand for your blog/community.
The digital Brandscript will help you identify each of the seven elements in the framework.
Once you create your brand story elements, every word in your messaging will come from one of these elements.
Your communication piece framework
Then, each time you set out to write content, you want to outline your blog post using the following template.
Download your copy here.
Remember, you shouldn’t have to leave your writing to chance; you can utilize the StoryBrand Framework to:
- Create more engaging content and blog posts.
- Come up with topics that resonate with your readers.
- Establish empathy and authority with your readers through your writing.
Summary of tools/resources for the StoryBrand Framework
Useful Resources for you:
- Donald Miller’s StoryBrand Book
- MyStoryBrand.com – digital Brandscript
- The 7-part StoryBrand Framework with examples
Thank you!
