Everyone is looking for the next Tweet heard round the world, magical meme or have-to-have hashtag, but every communication begins simply—with a story. Everyone has a story. Communities come together around shared stories. In this session, Christian Clarke Cásarez from the Austin Independent School District examined how nonprofits are using strategic storytelling to build their communities. She reviewed practical tips to help strengthen your own storytelling through meaningful messages that inform and inspire your communities.

1. We owe it to each other
to tell stories.
― Neil Gaiman

2. There is no greater agony than
bearing an untold story inside you.
― Maya Angelou

3. Stories can conquer fear, you know.
They can make the heart bigger.
― Ben Okri

4. Messages Matter
Share stories. Build Communities.

5. Christian Clarke Casarez: My Story
Border-crossing storyteller
Community builder
Communicator
Advocate

6. Shared Stories + Community
• Everyone has a story.
• Communities come together around
shared stories.
• Stories connect, engage and motivate
communities.

7. Tools + Messages
Modern political campaigns home in on their key voters with
drone-like precision…And they can reach people through
Facebook, Pandora, Twitter, YouTube or cable television.
The only problem: They do not have enough messages for
them all.
… The science is ahead of the art.
— “Data-Driven Campaigns Zero In on Voters,
but Messages Are Lacking,” The New York Times
Oct. 30, 2014

8. Storytelling + Psychology
We are wired
to respond to stories.

9. Storytelling + Psychology
We use stories to:
• explain how things work
• make decisions
• justify our decisions
• persuade others
• understand our place in the world
• create our identities
• define and teach social values.
— “The Psychological Power of Storytelling,”
Psychology Today
Jan. 16, 2011

10. STORIES + COMMUNITIES
From Presentation to Conversation: Audiences become storytellers.

11. Stories + Communities
Invite communities to
share stories
in their own voices.

12. United Nations: #ShareHumanity
Everyone is a messenger. The United Nations invites communities
to recognize people who face adversity—and to celebrate the
spirit that inspires humanitarian work around the globe.

13. Do Something: I Beat Bullying
First-person experiences are powerful. Young people
share tips on how to combat bullying to inspire and
empower peers who are being bullied or who are
struggling to get out of a difficult situation.

14. KLRU: #MiHistoriaATX
Welcome new voices. To highlight the evolution of a new
“Latino American” identity, KLRU asks Austinites to share
their stories about family traditions, cultural celebrations
and role models.

15. PRACTICAL TIPS
Sharing Stories to Build Communities

16. Upgrade Your Storytelling
• Be bold. Stories can be told in many ways to
build communities and humanize issues.
• Be inclusive. Stories can be told from different
perspectives. Invite new communities to share
their voices.
• Be creative. Stories can be told in long or short
formats. Dive deep—or match micro-moments
to your mission in meaningful ways.

17. Practical Tips
Be prepared.
Review: What are your stories?
Plan: When do you tell them?
Act: Integrate storytelling across platforms
both online and off.

18. Practical Tips
Be connected.
Review: Who are your communities?
Plan: When can you engage
and activate them?
Act: Call communities to action
both online and off.

19. Practical Tips
Be inspired.
Review: Who is telling great stories?
Plan: What can you learn from them?
Act: Create and integrate new approaches
both online and off.

20. Engaging Storytellers
NPR
Good
Upworthy
Busted Halo
Mental Floss
Humans of New York
Huffington Post Impact

21. So, what’s
your
story?

22. Questions +
Conversation

23. Thank you.
Messages Matter:
Share stories. Build Communities.
Christian Clarke Casarez
Contact me on LinkedIn.