Stories That Stick: How Storytelling Can Captivate Customers, Influence Audiences, and Transform Your Business

Kudos for writing a book. You probably have countless hours of time and energy poured into it and deserve better than a four-star review. I had just finished reading Chaos Monkeys and Atomic Habits so this one felt a little “entry-level”. I enjoyed the part about Michael’s water polo speech. This book is ok.

I hadn't heard of Kindra Hall before, but I have learned so much from her book! I am a non profit director and the advice she gives the reader on how to tell a story in a captivating way is, well, captivating.

Hall breaks down the different means by which a story takes hold and applies them to principles that can be easily imitated. Her style of writing is at once inclusive of all walks of life, while reminding us that a story that goes untold can be detrimental in many ways, especially in businesses or non profits.

By giving the reader clear cut, detailed instructions on how to keep your audience engaged, Hall cuts through the fluff. She shares specific ways storytellers can motivate their audience to action through a well developed personal connection, rather than a flat, uninteresting rehash of a story.

Finding the points at which a good story becomes an unforgettable story are paramount, shares Hall, and these points are attainable if the speaker is aware of what makes their audience tick. Hall has spent years on her craft, and the results speak for themselves.

I read the book as an early reviewer, thanks to Harper Collins Publishers. I think this is one that deserves a spot on the bookshelf of any public speaker, pastor, business leader or non-profit director! I chose to leave a review and all opinions are my own.

#HarperCollinsAmbassador

Core ideas can be summed up in a few pages - though I guess you could argue that’s the point, that stories not features sell products/services. Really just another example of a business professional writing a book to expand their platform and grow their brand.

As Café Girl, I crafted the perfect narrative to help unite indie coffee shops and mid-range café chains into a community of growth and expansion. Without going into detail, I shifted the corporate “better numbers” story and applied it to small businesses. We work together now. There’s power in numbers, as major corporations and their swarms of lobbyists have shown over the years. Now that we’re in the middle of a pandemic, my team and I must shift the narrative again, to ensure that these small-to-mid size establishments thrive amid chaos. Creativity is important in marketing. Your storytelling abilities come into full force as you focus on growth. You dive into the consumer’s imagination, and then, before they know it, their vision is right in front of them, live and in technicolor. It’s what draws people to coffee shops. It’s not just the coffee — delicious and creamy as it is — but also the atmosphere. The comfort, the people, the smells, it’s like a dream home to them. I know a thing or two about making stories pop. I’m not just a marketing leader — I’m also a fiction author. I nurture and develop dreams for a living. I sketch the canvas — and then I let others add their own touch of imagery and color.

STORIES THAT STICK is a brilliant tool for those hoping to promote themselves. It’s not just a numbers game — it’s an imagination thing. Without a vision, there’s no realization. If you can’t picture it in your head, then how are you going to present it to the world? That’s why I believe in Creation instead of Revolution. I just can’t picture the latter without the former, and I won’t apologize for it. People ask, “What came first, the chicken or the egg?” My answer: “What came first? The thing that popped into your head right before you drew the egg that developed the chicken.” I get a lot of funny looks. I’m used to it.

This book will give you a thorough guide on how to incorporate your imagination and storytelling abilities into your job or business opportunity, and I will reiterate on two important points.

1. YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN. Imagination is great, but if you don’t have a thorough plan to carry your vision, then you might as well daydream your career away. Set realistic goals and timelines, prepare for setbacks, and create multiple (internal) sketches of your vision, because you will have to make multiple revisions. I’m a writer. I know a thing or two about rewrites.

2. WORD OF MOUTH IS ONLY VALUABLE WHEN IT’S REAL. Visionaries believe in “faking it till they make it.” Thomas Edison coined this phrase after he pretended to know what he was doing while still figuring things out. It worked for him, and it works for all of us — when used correctly. One thing I noticed in the coffee chain industry is the use of customer reviews on sites like Google Maps and Yelp. It is a way for owners, managers, salespeople, and service employees to promote their work, putting their names out there for the world to see. As a part-time content blogger-slash-reviewer, I advocate this form of self-promotion, and I encourage people to truly stand out when pitching a review request to customers. I discourage fake reviews though. Don’t tell your parents, your bestie, or your boy- or girlfriend to write a glowing review about you on your company’s social media or website. Not only is this dishonest, but it also backfires big time. If you’re good at what you do, then you don’t need fake reviews! Trust me, I’ve been there and done that, and it’s not worth the lousy feeling or the bad karma. Plus, the “people upstairs” and professional reviewers can tell the difference between a real review and a fake one. There are telltale signs, which I won’t share here. DON’T DO IT! Just don’t.

I enjoyed this wonderful book. It’s recharged my batteries during uncertain times. Downsides? It tends to self-promote a little too much — the good old pat on the back. But hey, I get it; I do it too. Four out of five cold brew iced coffees with brown sugar sauce and whipped vanilla almond milk!

This book is as delightful as it is informative. The pages just fly by.

As part of the launch team I was able to read the book prior to publication.

Kindra Hall was way ahead of the pack when it came to story in business. I have to say the spiel as she references in the book is now off the charts. In Stories that Stick she shares point by point how to make just spiel a reality.

A must read for anyone wanting to improve their sales and business. Or just tell better stories!

Kindra Hall is phenomenal at the art of storytelling! I am learning so much on ways to engage my customers and those I speak to! My business has seen a wonderful turn in just sharing my personal story in a way that captivates my guests! I can't wait to use some of her amazing techniques as I speak at women's conferences and youth groups! If you are looking to engage your audience and help them see why they need your words, Stories that Stick is a book to get you there!!!

I took three books with me for a weekend at the in-laws. I finished all three. :-/

So, at the airport, I overpaid for this book on storytelling. Even though my business partner, instead of referring to me as "founder" or "President", prefers "chief storyteller." Like all sailors, I enjoy spinning a good yarn, and have the additional virtue of sprinkling some honest-to-goodness truth in most of my sea stories.

So, I came at this book with modest expectations, hoping to learn a thing or two.

Those expectations were exceeded. Kindra gets her message across in three parts, which roughly correspond to:

1) Convincing the reader of the power of stories
2) A theory of storytelling as it relates to business
3) Practical advice on finding and crafting your own stories

There is value in each section. As someone with a previous BS in BS, the first and third already came naturally. The second, though was really helpful, in helping me to think through the types of stories I might add to my repertoire.

Recommended.

Once upon a time...

This is quite possibly THE most valuable book that I’ve ever read. I’ve been telling stories in consultative sales and direct sales 30 years and I know something about telling stories. Ha! I thought so, until I heard Kindra Hall demonstrate intentional storytelling. Read this and listen closely, experience the change in real life story characters’ perspective that causes them to act! Just finished this book on Wednesday. This weekend, I’m crafting stories for three different businesses! I needed something refreshing and real, thank you Kindra Hall!!

Amazing way to improve my business with real life stories to relate to the products I sell. Kindra is an amazing teacher.

This book gives you practical tools to start using stories to create impact! Totally worth the read!