Here's a video about story-telling that every fundraisers should see:
Or watch it here on YouTube.
In short, it describes a study that found the most impactful stories have two key elements:
- Distress, produces cortisol, which helps us focus attention on the story.
- Empathy, which produces oxytocin, which promotes a sense of connection.
And when these things are present, hearers of the story are much more likely to give.
Do your stories have both distress and empathy in them?