Written, Audio or Visual Storytelling: Which Platform is Right for You?
Updated: Apr 21, 2022
In Episode 12 of the Power Your Platform Podcast, we focus on helping you take your experiences, expertise and insights and begin sharing them on a purpose-driven platform that has the potential to make real and lasting change.
And I’ll let you in on a secret -- your platform probably won’t look like anyone else’s, so you don’t have to worry about comparing yourself to someone else.
The goal of this blog post (and Episode 12) is to help you narrow down your choices, and get you focused so you can go all in the platform that best suits your personal presentation style and intended audience. If you’ve been feeling torn between all the platforms out there or you feel like you’re just spread too thin, then today’s podcast is for you.
So when it comes to choosing your purpose-driven platform, there are really 3 storytelling styles to keep in mind: written storytelling, audio storytelling and visual storytelling.
Written Storytelling
Written storytellers are often voracious readers which is great because that allows them to continually improve their writing skills. They’re often – though not always -- introverts. They are intensely curious, but tend to avoid the spotlight and typically work well on their own and most often, behind the scenes.
If Written Storytelling is your happy place, then you likely feel comfortable communicating in a variety of written formats. If I was to recommend an ideal platform for women who thrive as written storytellers, I’d recommend blogging.
And no, blogs are not dead! In fact, they’re still one of the best ways to optimize your web site for Google search results, especially when they’re combined with something like a Pinterest strategy.
Audio (Oral) Storytelling
If you’re an Audio Storyteller, then you’re likely the type of person who loves to meet up with friends at the local coffee shop and tell them in great detail about your last blind date or the strange late-night habits of your neighbor across the street. You’re also more likely to spend a lot of time on phone calls with the people who matter most to you, including your clients.
Audio Storytellers are most often ambiverts which means they can move between introvert and extrovert easily. While they do enjoy presenting to live audiences, they can still find them nerve-wracking at times. If this describes you, then you might already be comfortable on a number of platforms like podcasts, Instagram or Facebook lives and even onstage, at live events.
But remember, what we’re looking to do when we build your purpose-driven platform is to choose a platform that’s free, public, allows long-form content and has a long shelf life. So in that case, I’d suggest podcasting for Audio Storytellers.
Visual Storytelling
This group of communicators adds beauty to every corner of our lives, from the clothes we wear and the houses we live in, to the art we hang in our hallway. As artists and creators,
Visual Storytellers capture our attention through what is visible to the eye. Often they’re highly detailed oriented, but they can also be perfectionists when it comes to their own work. Does that sound familiar to anyone?
For the most part, visual storytellers just want to create. That’s why visual storytellers tend to be prolific content creators. And that content can show up in all types of formats from fashion design and architecture to videography and even mural painting. But remember, I want you to focus on ONE type of purpose-driven platform.
And for Visual Storytellers, the platform I most often recommend is YouTube because of the highly visual component.