8 tips for writing Rotary stories with IMPACT|
“Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity” – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author
As a journalist and now a media editor, I have spent a good part of my career life pitching stories to editors. In my early years as a rookie reporter, I would email an editor of a publication with an amazing story idea and wait. I would keep checking my email constantly hoping for feedback. Some (actually many ignored my emails) but those editors who were decent enough, would respond with a regret telling me the story idea I pitched was not there yet.
Once in a while I would get positive responses, and that would make me (literally) jump up and down with excitement. If an editor responded by saying he/she liked my idea, that statement was music to my ears. Immediately I would get to work and deliver (what I believed) was an award winning piece.
Through the years I have picked several tips along the way that have helped me in my story telling. I still pitch stories to my editor colleagues once in a while when I get time to write. I also started my personal blog www.uncommon.co.ke where I tell stories about uncommon people, places and things.
So what have I learnt?
- Start by identifying the media platform you want to use to reach the highest number of people. This will help you plan how to best package your story in a way that will be attractive. Thankfully, we are now spoilt for choice courtesy of the internet. You can publish stories on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube etc) and blogs and reach thousands of people locally and internationally.
- Understand the audience of the platform. Who reads/watches/listens to the platform? If you want to the main stream media to use your story, do some basic homework. Do not pitch a health story to a political or crime editor. I will tell you for free, he/she will not use it. If you are targeting a media outlet, look at the various section – on print and programmes on TV. Where will your story fit best? Once you identify the section, reach out to the editor and pitch the story.
- Show instead of tell. It is true a photo is worth a thousand words. Stories have more impact when they are told visually. Use photography or video. Remember that powerful award winning photo of the malnourished child in Ethiopia that made the world act? Photos are a powerful way of storytelling. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook are very good for photo and video storytelling.
- Look for the impact. Does the news/event/project affect a human being physically or emotionally? How many people? One? Two or a million? Remember people will most likely care about what they can directly relate to. Show or describe the before and after scenarios. A story about a village that has never had a child go to high school until your Rotary club introduced a scholarship award is a good example of how education can impact a community.
- Look for a novelty aspect of the story. Deviations from the normal, unexpected or unusual events, conflicts or controversies, drama or change, are more newsworthy than the commonplace.
- Conflict/controversy – While conflict between groups can be viewed as negative news, it often provides people with different opinions about policies and problems. Always tell ALL sides of a story.
- Solutions storytelling. Package your story using rigorous, evidence-based reporting on responses to social problems. Features not just a person, but a response to a problem and how it happened. Provide available evidence of results, looking at effectiveness – not just intentions.
- Use data. I know numbers can be boring but did you know you can tell a beautiful story using data? Graphs and charts have a way of summarizing information and getting people’s attention.
My list is not exhaustive but it will give you an idea of how to package stories that show impact. Good luck!
By Karole Kimutai
Great article. Now how can I write a flowing and captivating story, which makes reader glued to the text. Is there special training someone needs to do.?
Thomas, thank you for the feedback. There are a number of ways that you can improve your writing. The first step is to read books frequently as this helps you to identify styles of writing that you like and want to emulate. The second step is to follow writers that you enjoy and spend time analysing how they develop their ideas. Further to that you need to start writing and the more you write the better you will be. Commit to a blog so that you are forced to write regularly. Make sure that you pick up a couple of style guides to help you develop a proper approach to grammar and content creation. Finally, when you’re sure that this is a passion you want to invest in, take a course. I know that good writers like Jackson Biko run courses occasionally, so look him up.