By Natalie Sayer

Every time you tell your story, you are an advocate. But what does that really mean? Well, the dictionary describes an advocate as a “person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.” Who better to be an advocate than someone with first-hand experience. The most powerful advocates move our hearts, connect our minds, and spur us to action. Many of you may have attended the session “Pen It! Prep It! Perform It!” at the Coalition Symposium in October 2020. This article is meant to be a follow-up guide for you to write and deliver your own advocate stories. 

Why Do You Write Your Story? 

In addition to helping you clarify your thoughts; a written story helps you create an impact when you tell it. You have seconds to grab people’s attention and minutes to tell your story. Wouldn’t you want every word to count?  

Do you get nervous when speaking in front of people, especially strangers? Written words will keep you focused when the nerves or emotions creep in. Telling the same story, in the same way, will also combat nervous energy. We will get to practice a little later. 

Who better to be an advocate than someone with first-hand experience.

Who Is Your Audience And Why Should They Care? 

We all have many different stories we could tell. Knowing your audience is important to identify the right story and words to create impact for them. If you are speaking with a class at school or legislators in government, the topic might be similar but the content will be very different. What you want from each audience will be different, too. Writing with your audience in mind allows you to tailor your message and impact specifically to them. 

What Do You Want Them To Remember? 

We tell our stories because we want to move our audiences to action, to empathy, or to support. We want them to remember, long after we have spoken, a key message. If you were at the Symposium, you may remember “Let Go to Grow” or “Life is hard. Life’s not fair. What are you going to do about it?” 

When you can build your story around a key message, and then repeat that message multiple times, you have a better chance that they will remember your point. When you connect emotionally, you reinforce your message. You get to choose how you want them to feel through your word choices. Do you want them to laugh or cry or cheer? 

When working with people to write and perform their stories, I hear, “I don’t have anything interesting. I don’t have stories.” But with a little probing and some key questions, we find them…. Trust that you have stories. 

Where Do You Find Your Story? 

When you know your audience and what you want them to remember, then you can review your life for moments that represent your message. Often when working with people to write and perform their stories, I hear, “I don’t have anything interesting. I don’t have stories.” But with a little probing and some key questions, we find them. Is there a moment or memory of a time that demonstrates your message? Do you want to share “a day in the life”? Were you part of something bigger than yourself, like when the song Silver Linings was written and performed at the 2019 Beats program? Trust that you have stories. 

Who Are The Characters? 

While your story is your story, every story has lead and supporting characters. Each of the characters has a purpose. When you think of stories or movies that have stuck with you, who were the characters? What role did they play? Who was the “hero”? Who was the villain? Who was the wise one? Who provided comedy? Who was kind? 

Your story has characters. How can each help bring your point to life? 

What Is The Plot? 

Every story has a plot or a story arc, which takes the audience on an emotional journey. Think about the classic movies. The hero has a challenge, faces setbacks, has help to overcome them, and learns from the experience. 

Star Wars, Harry Potter, Forest Gump, and many more follow this “hero’s journey” model. While it isn’t the only model, it is a good place to start. Remembering the audience and the point you are trying to make, what is the plot of your story? How do you hook them in the beginning? How do you create a strong call to action at the end? 

Write, Rewrite, And Write Again.

So you have written your first draft. Congratulations! Now the real work begins. Creating a powerful story requires finesse. It isn’t uncommon to write four or five drafts before you are happy with your work. As you read each draft, identify what emotions you want your audience to experience with each paragraph. Do your words create that emotion? Have you repeated your key phrase throughout the story? Can you simplify or delete words? 

One of my favorite editing tools in Word is the Spelling & Grammar check, especially the Readability Statistics. If you can make your point and emotional connection, while still writing at an eighth-grade level, you are golden! 

Who Is In Your Circle? 

The best way to ensure your story will land with your audience is to test it out on people you trust to give you real feedback. You may have a few people read your draft and suggest edits. Or you may tell your story and ask your trusted audience key questions: 

• “What was the point?” 

• “What did you feel?”

• “What did you learn?”

• “What was confusing?” 

Ask any question that ensures your story is making the connection you want it to make. Use that feedback as you refine each draft. When you tell your stories, you have the opportunity to raise awareness and garner support. Your stories matter. Your experiences matter.

Practice. Practice. Practice.

When actors receive a script, it is only the beginning. It is through rehearsal that they bring the words to life for the audience. It is also the actor or storyteller’s job to create the experience every single time they perform the work. We call it “first-day freshness.” Rehearsal is a process. You start by learning the words. If you are telling your story live on a stage, you may decide to move at certain points, always moving with intention, to enhance the story. Ultimately, you want to rehearse exactly how you are going to perform. 

If you are telling your story to a class, then you will rehearse standing up. If you are testifying to a committee at the legislature, then you may rehearse sitting at a table. Rehearsal is also where you decide what to do with your voice and physical presence to bring your words to life. 

If your story is very emotional for you to tell, rehearsal is also where you learn to express the emotion with control. You want your audience to feel the emotion, yet if you are breaking down uncontrollably, you may lose them. The more you tell your story, the easier it will be to control your delivery. Practice matters. 

Your Stories. Your Advocacy. 

Regardless of who or how large your audience is, your stories matter. When you tell your stories, you have the opportunity to raise awareness, garner support, or even change someone’s world. Your stories matter. Your experiences matter. Your advocacy matters.  

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Natalie J. Sayer is an executive coach, organizational consultant, and leadership speaker. While she started her career as an engineer in Fortune 130 companies, she also has over 20 stage and screen credits. She knows how to craft a well-told story and is excited to share the craft with you. Natalie is also a longtime, professional member of the National Speakers Association.