Why The Hook For Your Story Is More Important Than The Story Itself
What is a story hook?
The story hook is the big idea behind the story. Specifically, it’s the big idea that pulls people into the story.
If I said to you, “Hey, let me tell you a quick story about how I changed my website from 40 pages to one page, and sales went up 250% overnight. That increase was enough to cover a house payment, two car payments, and the electric bill.”
That’s a hook… it’s a little long, but it’s a hook…
Weekly Update – February 22, 2022
Jim’s Golden Nuggets Seven Hooks To Make Your Sales Stories Unforgettable Here are seven of the best ways to make your sales story instantly capture people’s minds and get them to hang on your every word. A Moment That Changed Your Life The first one is basically to talk about a moment that changed your…
The Hook Is MORE Important Than The Story [video]
Why The Hook For Your Story Is More Important Than The Story Itself The “story hook” is the big idea behind the story that pulls people into the story. A really good story hook comes from extremes; emotional highs and lows which provide contrast. Want to build up a rabid fanbase of hungry customers? This…
Weekly Update – November 3, 2021
A Note From Jim Everything I NEVER Learned In Economics 101 Class (But Wish I Did) Like many people, I took Economics and Psychology in college. I honestly don’t remember a lot (I was too busy partying). But I remember enough to realize they did us a great disservice in those classes. Why? Because they…
Weekly Update – September 1, 2021
A Note From Jim “You can’t move people to action until you first move them with emotion.” – John Maxwell This quote / excerpt is by John Maxwell from his book “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”. John Maxwell is considered by many the premier leadership teacher and mentor in the world! The big idea here…
People Want What They Can’t Have, Including Bagels!
People Want What They Can’t Have, Including Bagels!
I remember a funny story about picking up my dad from the hospital with my mom.
We went to a bagel shop, and I was amazed. I got this bagel with plenty of cream cheese, capers, and smoked salmon. The bagel was amazing and reminded me of fond memories in Northern Virginia where amazing bagel shops are frequently found in virtually any strip mall.
The truth is, it isn’t always possible…
How To Address Different Genders Simultaneously In Sales Copy
How To Address Different Genders Simultaneously In Sales Copy
When creating sales copy to address different genders, you should focus on three things:
1. Being sensitive
2. Being authentic
3. Being frank
Be Sensitive…
To address different genders at the same time, you must be sensitive. For complicated reasons beyond the scope of this article, some words will “trigger” people and offend them. You should try to avoid those, but you don’t have to be so careful that you hamstring…
The #1 Story Formula You Can Use For Anything
The #1 Story Formula You Can Use For Anything
Have you ever heard a story that really got your attention and kept you totally captivated for anywhere from a couple of minutes to a couple of hours?
Have you ever read a book that you just couldn’t put down until you finished it?
Is there a movie you love, and you keep watching over and over again?
And have you ever heard a sales story so compelling…
How Limiting Beliefs Affect Your Sales
How Limiting Beliefs Affect Your Sales
Let’s start with a definition of limiting beliefs as they relate to selling your products or services.
A limiting belief is something that somebody believes is going to limit their ability to buy what you’re selling.
If your prospects have a limiting belief, they’re not going to purchase from you until you can overcome that limiting viewpoint.
A limiting belief is another term for an objection.
There are two categories of objections describing limiting beliefs…
How to Use the “Hook, Story, Offer” Formula for Nonprofits
How to Use the “Hook, Story, Offer” Formula for Nonprofits
“Does this formula work for nonprofit organizations too?”
I believe when someone asks this kind of question, it’s because they’ve forgotten there are real people on the other end of their sales messages.
So, the first thing you can do…