{"id":7643,"date":"2016-04-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/?p=7643"},"modified":"2024-05-08T19:12:20","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T19:12:20","slug":"storytelling-donald-trump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/blog\/storytelling-donald-trump\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Storytelling Lessons Your Nonprofit Can Learn From Donald Trump"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you work at a nonprofit, chances are you do your fair share of storytelling<\/a> and that you\u2019ve followed every bit of traditional advice. You know to follow a tried-and-true plotline, use emotion-evoking words and finish with a happy ending or offer a solid solution.<\/p>\n

Yes, all of these tips do work. But, there\u2019s more that can be done to really get your audience excited about your story — just follow the lead of presidential candidate Donald Trump.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Love him or hate him, you have to admit that Donald Trump sure has captured the hearts and minds of many supporters.<\/p>\n

All politics aside, Donald Trump has used his platform to bring to light some of the issues he and his followers believe are impacting the United States. He does this passionately, without fear or censor.<\/p>\n

Here are 6 storytelling lessons your nonprofit can learn from Donald Trump:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1) You Can Dominate With Enthusiasm<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Do you want to get your audience excited about what your nonprofit is doing? Use as much enthusiasm as you can to bring the point home.<\/p>\n

At least, that’s what works for Mr. Trump.<\/p>\n

Let’s first look at an example. Very softly, speak the words: \u201cOh look, a fire.\u201d With this tone, you are likely referring to a nice, warm wood-burning hearth or something equally as pleasant.<\/p>\n

Now, as loud and with as much energy as you can muster, say the same words. Just the energy in your voice is probably enough to get your blood pumping and ready to evacuate the room.<\/p>\n

That’s what enthusiasm can do. It can turn a small, contained and beautiful fire into an inferno, and that’s what Donald Trump is so successful at doing.<\/p>\n

He dominates the podium and debate stages with his determined enthusiasm about everything that he’s saying.<\/p>\n

Try incorporating that same enthusiasm into your storytelling. If you are writing a story, use bold, energetic statements and action verbs that convey excitement and suspense. In pictures and videos, use striking visuals that get your audience to feel<\/a> an emotion and be compelled to act immediately.<\/p>\n

“Want to get your audience excited about what your nonprofit is doing? Use as much enthusiasm as you can…”<\/em> <\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

2) It’s Not All In the Details<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Donald Trump doesn’t care about the details. When he’s onstage, it’s all about sweeping statements and generalities, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing when telling a story when you have a limited amount of time.<\/p>\n

He understands that what people want is to feel. And, that isn’t done by giving detail after detail about how he’s going to implement policy or run the government. Instead, he speaks of the big picture and overarching visions.<\/p>\n

How is he going to solve problems with illegal immigration? It’s simple– he’s going to build a wall. How will he do this?<\/p>\n

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\u201cI will build a great wall\u2014and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

When writing fundraising appeals or for your website\u2019s homepage, use Trump’s strategy for your story by telling a clear and simplified story that focuses on the big picture. If you want to go into detail, do so in a specific place on your website such as an \u201cOur Stories\u201d tab.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, you want your audience to understand the problems facing your clients and how your nonprofit is solving them.<\/p>\n

3) Use Power Words<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Nothing screams success like power words, and Donald Trump uses them every chance he gets to assert dominance and power.<\/p>\n

Most of Mr. Trump\u2019s popular words and phrases are quite authoritative, including \u201cabsolutely destroy\u201d and \u201cfight.\u201d With words such as these, he conveys a sense of power and authority.<\/p>\n

Of course, your nonprofit certainly doesn\u2019t want to tell a negative, violent story, and really, that\u2019s not the point of using power words. Instead, consider why politicians such as Donald Trump use such strong language – it is because they want to prove that they have the ability to make change happen.<\/p>\n

Using power words in your nonprofit\u2019s story can be as simple as saying \u201cWe will fight to destroy poverty in our community\u201d and \u201cLet\u2019s defeat HIV\/AIDs.\u201d It is important that your nonprofit is the key to solving problems and make people\u2019s lives better because you have the power to do so.<\/p>\n

4) Keep Your Narratives Black And White<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You can easily argue that Donald Trump is quite a polarizing figure. Voters either love his ideas or loathe them, and that is because a lot of the emotions that he brings out in people is a result of his use of black and white narratives.<\/p>\n

You are either his closest pal, or his absolute enemy. Once Mr. Trump determines his enemy (illegal immigrants, Ted Cruz, Hillary Clinton, politicians in general), he rallies his supporters and fights it with all his will.<\/p>\n

Let’s look at a statement recently posted on his Twitter page:<\/p>\n

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Watching John Kasich being interviewed – acting so innocent and like such a nice guy. Remember him in second debate, until I put him down.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n