Nonprofit Storytelling: Why Use it for Social Change?

Many NGOs and nonprofit organisations have started using nonprofit storytelling to tell the world how they are making the world a better place. It helps them connect with the readers on a deeper level. But do you know that you can use nonprofit storytelling to inspire others and bring social change? You may ask why use nonprofit storytelling to bring social change? Let us find out.  

Studies Point Out that it Works  

Nonprofit storytelling has the power to evoke the emotions of people. There are many examples where organisations that used storytelling saw a positive impact. People connect to such stories as if they were their own stories. It motivates people to join the cause you are lending your support to.   

In research by Paul J. Zak, Founding Director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies, he found that people listening to a story having a dramatic arc release oxytocin, a neurochemical associated with empathy. It also motivates cooperation with others by enhancing our ability to experience the emotions of others. It, in turn, prompts people to be more generous, helping organisations working for a social change get more donations.  

Help Build Community  

In today’s era, where you can get lots of information through just the click of a button, it becomes essential to stay afloat among the sea of irrelevant content. So, the question remains, how to make yourself or your NGOs distinguishable from others. Nonprofit storytelling is a simple answer to this question. If you consistently keep using nonprofit storytelling to bring social change along your way, you will build a strong community of people who believe in what you do. As your community grows, your cause will also gain momentum.  

People Connect More with Other’s Stories   

 Statistics or facts from credible sources play a role in convincing people to take some action, but they are not as powerful as stories that bring out emotions. People respond to stories. Once you find people that share the same vision as you, they will help you make the world a better place. With nonprofit storytelling, you can show people the impact you are making rather than just telling them about it. For example, Women for Women International connects with people because they employ storytelling and share how they have impacted women in real life.   

Help Movements Gain Momentum  

If a person shared merely facts and statics, it wouldn’t move people to tears, forcing them to think about bringing a change. But if someone narrates personal experience or someone else’s experience and resonates with the masses, the movement may gain momentum. The same thing happened after George Floyd was killed because of police atrocities in the US. What started as a small protest against his killing snowballed into a mass movement for equal rights for African Americans who are targeted way out of proportion to their total numbers in the US population. Though the road to equal rights is a long one, the movement has gained momentum with the recent incident.  

Because it Creates a Sense of Urgency  

 We, humans, tend to leave everything to the last moment. Most of us feel we are productive only when the deadline is near. While it is acceptable to work when you feel the most productive, and under pressure, the same cannot be said when trying to create social impact. You cannot leave anything to the last minute. Storytelling for nonprofits helps you overcome this problem.  

It urges the masses to act fast. For example, you can tell through your story that someone needs help and need it soon. If you are talking about a cause you support, mention the countdown to when the campaign for that cause ends. When there is a sense of urgency, people are more likely to act and donate or volunteer for a cause. In addition, you can also mention in the story the consequences if nothing is done. It will be very effective, and you will see an overwhelming response.  

Takeaway   

Nonprofit storytelling is effective in bringing social change. It also helps build communities, and make people feel connected to the cause the nonprofits endorse. In addition, it creates a sense of urgency and helps social movements gain momentum.   

Now that you know why you need to use nonprofit storytelling for social change, start sharing your story. If you haven’t joined Atb.world- a  social purpose platform, join it now to share your story!!  

Originally Sourced: https://atb.world/blog/nonprofit-storytelling-why-use-it-for-social-change/

How Can Storytelling Create Social Change?

   

 We all have heard stories in our childhood from our grandparents and parents. They have become an important part of our childhood. In fact, there are stories within each one of us that are often left unsaid because we think that who will listen to our story or what will change if we tell our stories?   

   

What we often forget is that stories are a powerful medium through which many great changes took place. They can inspire people and lit the spark of movements that have snowballed into great revolutions.  

   

Example of Storytelling that Brought Social Change  

   

There are so many stories around us that have the potential to bring social change to the world. While we get to know some stories because of ordinary people who chose to be storytellers, many stories are waiting to be found.  

   

One such example of impactful storytelling is that of Malala Yousafzai. Though not a professional, she took the role of a storyteller and gave her voice to millions of girls in Pakistan who had no right to education. As her story gained momentum and more people joined her cause, she got success. It was because of her only that Pakistan passed the Right to Education Bill in 2012. The bill guaranteed that all children (between 5-16) have access to free education.    

   

Imagine what would have happened if Malala thought that her voice would have no impact? Many girls in Pakistan would still be deprived of their right to education. It only strengthens the belief that storytelling is a powerful tool for bringing positive social change to the world.  

   

How you can create social impact through storytelling  

   

We may not realise it, but deep in our hearts, we all are creative storytellers. Whether we narrate an exciting event to our friend or tell the plot of a movie in our own way, we are doing storytelling.   

   

Many people want to speak out and tell their story but are stopped by the fear of public speaking. What they forget is that storytelling is not limited to speaking in front of everyone on the stage. You can even write your story. If you are one of them, then Atb.world is just for you. As a social purpose platform, Atb.world allows you to share your stories and connect with organisations or causes you believe in.   

   

If you think you have stories that inspire and have the power to pull at people's emotions and grab their attention, join Atb.world and share your story.