The Personal is Universal
My girlfriend is out of town on an extended business trip, and I have the place to myself. She’s expecting me to keep the house clean. So far, I’d get an F.
My neighbor borrowed my lawnmower two weeks ago and still hasn’t returned it. I’m scared to ask him for it back.
I’m going on a vacation and on a limited budget. The cheapest place I can find is a “sex hotel”. I’m thinking about staying there but won’t do anything and I definitely won’t get naked.
My dog is really sick and so far, my wife and I have racked up $3900 in vet bills.
I talk much on these pages that a show’s goal is to Conquer Content and Create Connection.
What is connection, but proving to the audience that you are just like them? Think of the people you’re close to in your personal life. It all started by common bonds. How to do that today? Well, be honest in whatever you’re talking about. And tell stories about yourself by being vulnerable and letting them in your world in ways that prove you are just like them!
There are some general guidelines to follow when deciding if a story you experience is worthy of the show. Ask these questions, because not all experiences qualify:
- Is it an experience the average listener could find themselves in? Is there a fair shot they have had or could have a similar experience? That’s called relatability.
- If not #1, is it an experience so extraordinary and intriguing the listener would be interested in hearing it?
- In both of the above, is there conflict or tension? We’re all addicted to drama and without it, you don’t have anything.
- Is there a powerful emotion associated with the story, so the audience feels it?
Check all the stories at the very top top. They each satisfy #1 above: I’m alone in the house and have to keep it clean for when my girlfriend returns from a trip; I am going on vacation without much money and might stay at a “sex hotel” because it’s cheap; my neighbor borrowed something and won’t give it back; my dog is sick and we have massive vet bills. In each of these, the average listener could relate and you’re bonding with them because of those commonalities.
Where shows get in trouble, you get a disconnect because not every story has the same strategic benefit. I recently saw a social media post of a talent talking about being on a corporate jet and spilling red wine on a white sofa. Not very relatable or great use of content time as the audience says, “that’s not me.”
The other problem is when you have stories with no tension. Because tension is what creates attention.
Follow these general guidelines as you aggregate personal experience content to be sure your strategic goal in creating connection is reached when making your choices on what stories to share with the audience.
Because the personal is universal.