THE HOW-TO GUIDE FOR INNOVATORS TO IMPROVE THEIR IDEAS AND SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCH THEM THROUGH THE POWER OF NARRATIVE
In a world that’s been turned upside down by a pandemic, social upheavals, environmental disasters, and economic disruptions, the need for reinvention is paramount. While many entrepreneurs and innovators have brilliant ideas, they desperately need the skills to successfully articulate their vision to investors, prospective customers, employees, and stakeholders. In this informative and empowering book, David Riemer breaks down the storytelling clutter so you can gain the attention you need to be successful.
Storytelling is foundational. If you have a groundbreaking invention in mind or have a plan to solve worldwide problems, Get Your Startup Story Straight is the tool you need to create better customer-focused solutions, motivate more backers to your project, and ultimately dominate in the market. Broken down into three acts, this book will allow you to discover the building blocks of your narrative, the storytelling techniques to convey your ideas clearly, and the archetypes for inspiration. Equipped with a better understanding of your narrative, you will be able to:
- Maintain a constant focus on your customer (your protagonist)
- Understand what makes them tick in a more meaningful way
- And focus the product development efforts through the lens of this narrative
The author’s own words tell it all: “Innovators are ubiquitous nowadays, and for this community, storytelling is essential.” If you are a creator struggling to get others on board, this is the handbook to refine your story to guide your product strategy, shape your company, and ultimately improve lives.
Riemer explains how core elements of drama also apply to a good product story. Broken into three acts, Get Your Startup Story Straight covers the basics of business storytelling, such as developing a strong narrative structure with an emphasis on techniques like using storyboards. The second act takes up the bulk of the guide as Riemer lays out various approaches to storytelling and how successful product innovators use these strategies to persuade and influence potential customers and investors. Practical examples with cogent explanations abound, as Riemer offers clear-eyed advice for setting a clear, compelling narrative. Story archetypes are introduced in the third section, where Riemer expertly employs his own advanced storytelling skills to illustrate common themes found in innovation narratives and how these tropes can assist in polishing a product’s story.
Riemer uses a number of personal and professional experiences to reinforce his main message– “you can’t tell a great story unless you have a great story to tell.” The most notable example walks readers through the development of Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story franchise and how even a skillfully crafted product story is never truly finished. Although written for entrepreneurs and product innovators, aspiring authors and blocked writers alike will appreciate the information presented in this creative business guide.
Takeaway: Entrepreneurs, startup companies, and fiction writers will appreciate the relatable way storytelling techniques and strategies are presented in this guide.
Great for fans of: Seth Godin’s All Marketers are Liars, Paul Smith’s Sell with a Story.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: B
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
