How to Tell a Story

The Basic Parts of a Story

Why is it so important to tell a story? Where do I begin with telling a good story?

So glad you asked! Just like writing a book, the best marketing looks like storytelling, with characters, setting, plot, and dialogue. Jesus taught in parables all the time, so let’s take a page out of His book and see how stories can apply to your non-profit or church.

First, we need to pick the main character — that’s God. He’s the one who provides, sustains, and does the deep heart work of truly changing people’s lives, so each story, blog, or social media reel should be centered around the work God is doing. What about side characters? That’s where you come in, as well as the people you’re serving in your community.

Now that we know our characters, the setting is easy — fundraising events, weekly programming, Sunday services, Bible studies, chance encounters on the streets. Wherever the action is happening, that sets the stage for the story to unfold.

Dialogue is the most underrated part of a story. Hearing directly from a real person the audience can see and connect to builds credibility and rapport faster than almost anything else. Whether it’s a quick quote in a website blog or someone narrating their own story in a short-form video, dialogue brings people together.

Your plot consists of a problem and resolution. The story starts with a character (usually a member of your community) experiencing something unpleasant and resolving to do something about it. Right away, we’re cheering on their courage to deal with the issue, even while we wonder how the situation will turn out. Sometimes the story is resolved quickly, through a simple prayer or connecting a wander soul to a group. Other times, the resolution is more draw out, with intense care or a long journey back to a relationship with God. Not all stories tie up neatly with a happy ending, but every story that God is a part of should be infused with hope, love, and the promise of eternal joy.