A year or so ago I heard a story on public radio about a book call Not Quite What I Was Planning. It’s a paperback book of six word memoirs written by people from all across the country. It’s grown into a huge deal. You can check out the website from Smith Magazine for more details.
The radio story really struck a chord for me because I love the idea of telling a lot with so few words. Now I often have board members and staff create short stories like these in the workshops and fundraising action planning sessions I deliver. I’ve found that people are amazed what can be learned from such a small number of words.
Six-word stories can be used as a headline in a newsletter article, in the subject line for an email you really want read, as the first line of a direct mail letter, on websites, you name it. And yes, less really is more.
Last summer at a Volunteers of America conference in Denver, Jim White from the Colorado affiliate office showed me his collection of six word stories. Here is one of them:
If you remember that when people read something about your organization you want them to want to know MORE. . . then these stories are perfect and packed with lots of emotional connection for readers.
I encourage organizations to create a list of six word stories as a team building exercise at a planning meeting or board meeting. You’ll be amazed at how creative your team can be.
Here are a few 6-word stories to get your creative juices going.
First Ernest Hemingway’s famous story:
For sale: baby shoes, never worn.
From Life House in Duluth, MN an awesome organization serving homeless teens:
Homeless doesn’t have to be hopeless.
From the Ely, MN winter festival:
Shhhh! Winter in Ely is fabulous!
My own:
Creates compelling stories to raise millions.
What’s your six-word story that will cause people to want to learn more about you? Let me know!
Here’s a follow-up to today’s post. the ONE campaign is gathering six word stories on why Mom’s matter…in honor of Mother’s day. you can submit yours here: http://www.one.org/women/sixwords/about.html
Lori,
Love the post. I’ve focused on the same point in my tagline work.
Nonprofits, I challenge you to convey the power and impact of your org in your tagline — in eight words or less (I’ll be a little easier on your than Lori is).
Here’s the most recent Getting Attention Nonprofit Tagline Report, with a directory of 2,500 org taglines and guidelines for making yours great:
http://www.gettingattention.org/nonprofit_tagline_report.html
Keep up the great work, Lori.
Nancy, Thank you for the comment! I love your Tagline Report. I hope people run to download and use it to inspire themselves to create short, powerful statements that cause action. Thanks for the work you do, Nancy.
Off the top of my head …
“Growing Farmers, Growing Food, Common Future”
Glen, I love it! Great job. The next step is to find fun ways to use that great phrase that compels people to take some action. Looking forward to your membership coaching call soon!
Thanks for reading.