1. From Strangers to Storytellers: Talking to Potential Storytellers about Their Experiences Cate Bonacini and Jenna Temkin

2. FamiliesUSA.org What We’ll Cover How to ask someone to share their story Motivating factors Elements of an ask Troubleshoot common issues Practice How to interview a storyteller Why interview at all? The steps of developing a story How to prepare for an interview Practice preparing for an interview Q&A

3. FamiliesUSA.org How to ask someone to share their story

4. FamiliesUSA.org

5. There are two basic ways to collect stories 1. Direct interaction with storytellers through conversations, either face-to-face or over the phone 2. Indirect interaction with storytellers submissions through a web form or email

6. FamiliesUSA.org From first interaction to ready for dissemination… Conversation with potential storyteller Ask someone to share their story » » Record contact information and details of story

7. FamiliesUSA.org Goals in a direct story collection opportunity Quickly gain credibility Gauge whether the individual has a story to tell Collect information

8. FamiliesUSA.org Find ways to motivate the potential storyteller Desire to raise awareness of an issue Want to take down the “bad guy” Feel a moral purpose Self-motivating factor

9. FamiliesUSA.org Elements of a conversation 1. Talk about your story bank and organization 2. Explain the importance of stories 3. Motivate the individual and explain why his or her story matters 4. Ask a broad, general question to get a sense of his or her story 5. Ask someone to share their story 6. Collect information (name, email address, phone) 7. Set next steps with the individual 8. Jot down any additional notes and enter information into database. Previous file Next file

10. FamiliesUSA.org Practice

11. FamiliesUSA.org How to troubleshoot in a conversation 1. Figure out the cause 2. See if there’s something you can do to help

12. FamiliesUSA.org Common issues Hesitant to participate People feel like they have no story to tell Unwilling to disclose contact information Fear about sharing a story publicly Concern about judgment or stigma Personality-based, shy, or introverted

13. FamiliesUSA.org Always bring the conversation back to empowering the storyteller

14. FamiliesUSA.org Example from an in-person collection opportunity

15. FamiliesUSA.org From first interaction to ready for dissemination… Conversation with potential storyteller Ask someone to share their story » » Record contact information and details of story Enter into database or spreadsheet Assign someone to develop the story Schedule an interview » » »

16. FamiliesUSA.org How to interview a storyteller

17. FamiliesUSA.org Why develop story leads?

18. FamiliesUSA.org From first interaction to ready for dissemination… Conversation with potential storyteller Ask someone to share their story » » Record contact information and details of story Enter into database or spreadsheet Assign someone to develop the story Schedule an interview » » » Prepare to interview Interview Create notes and summary of story » » »

19. FamiliesUSA.org Prepare for an interview 1. Read the lead closely 2. Identify themes 3. Pinpoint areas for education 4. Develop questions

20. FamiliesUSA.org Sample lead Lisa, 63, (Atlanta, GA) is uninsured and unemployed. Accompanied her sister to the clinic (she’s getting treatment for periodontal disease). Lisa’s been going deaf since childhood. Her hearing aids are held together with tape and the battery died in our conversation. She thinks they’ll cost $250 to replace, but she isn’t sure. Lisa and her husband recently divorced, she was a stay at home mom for years and her husband forbid her from working. She’s living on her friend’s floor right now. “I think my health is ok, but I haven’t seen a doctor in 5-7 years.”

21. FamiliesUSA.org Practice on your own

22. FamiliesUSA.org Bullet List Item 1 http://www.familiesusa.org/intitiatives/story-bank-toolkit Now available…

23. FamiliesUSA.org Forthcoming…

24. www.FamiliesUSA.org 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20005 main 202-628-3030 / fax 202-347-2417