Sharing Our Story Leadership Conference 2016

Why telling our story~ ~is important Powerful tool to bring our communications to life Our testimony gives authenticity and credibility to the work we do Stories help our audience engage with our work on a personal level

Why telling our story~ ~is important Telling their stories gives our beneficiaries and volunteers a voice in a crowded media environment Done well, story telling enables the audience to respond – enables them to care.

Why telling our story~ ~is important Gives our volunteers and members a sense of pride in their organisation Gives people facing a similar situation hope Gives potential supporters a reason to give ALSO...

The starting point Stories need to enforce our core messaging... Mothers’ Union demonstrating Christian faith in action We transform lives Our work facilitates an end to dependen cy We speak out against social injustice We are ordinary people doing extra- ordinary things

The starting point Who are y/our beneficiaries? Where are y/our beneficiaries Who tell the most interesting or powerful stories of transformation What options are open to you to ask them for their story?

It’s not easy – but do not assume people do not want to tell their story – it is empowering to be given a voice, and to give something back. Asking...

Elements of a good story AVOID THE... WHY SHOULD THEY CARE?

All great stories involve the audience and illicit a response Involve your audience Respond to give, respond to join, respond to support, respond in faith

People may not remember what you tell them – but they will remember how you made them feel. Use emotive language Take your audience on a journey....

A REALLY USEFUL CHECKLIST for WRITING ENGAGING COPY Members need stories just as external audiences do. A Good Checklist for remembering to engage T.R.U.T.H TIMELY RELEVANT UNIQUE – we do better than anyone else TRIUMPH/TRAGEDY HUMAN INTEREST

A new

Celebrating 140 years by showing current projects in 140 characters York Province

why?

what?

when? Begin On Lady Day

how?

so..

who?

Facebook = York_140 Twitter So please share or retweet

Benchmarking for Diocesan Communication

Facebook Groups and Pages Good opportunity for Sharing stories Flexibilty to post photos / videos / links Great way to share Mothers’ Union with your network

Twitter It’s very short and sweet Twitter is great for building a wider network especially within your diocese – Clergy – Churches – Synod reps #Hashtags can help you connect with other Twitter accounts with similar audience and interest Even if you are just re- tweeting us you are engaging!

Press Releases Local Press are understaffed – they need stories If you supply them with what they need they will often publish – Good quality image – Strong precise story with a strong community outreach – Good quotes

Websites Websites are the shop windows to your Mothers’ Union Great way of showing what you are up to locally as well as linking to us internationally Keep it updated regularly and you are halfway there!

Mothers’ Union Communication Tree

How does your tree look?