Everyone wants their business to stand out from the rest and be remembered by customers. So, how exactly do they do it? For brands like Nike, they tell stories about real athletes who never give up, and they do it so well that they are the first to come to mind when you think of athletic brands.
Storytelling has become an essential tool for businesses to connect with their audience at a more profound, emotional level. Rural businesses, in particular, can greatly benefit from storytelling.
In this article, we'll discuss what visual storytelling is, why it’s crucial for rural businesses, and how to use it to make your business stand out.
Table of Contents
What is Visual Storytelling?
Visual storytelling is more than pretty pictures and cool videos. It’s the art of telling stories through videography, photography, and other visual media. Instead of using words alone, visual storytelling uses imagery to make you feel something or understand a message better.
As a rural business owner, you have unique stories to tell – the why behind your business, the skills of your artisans, the resilience of your community. Visual storytelling allows you to celebrate what makes your business and community special, while also attracting customers and standing out in the market.
Importance of Visual Storytelling in Rural Businesses
In today’s highly competitive business landscape, it is simply not enough to provide great products or services. Businesses need to create a strong emotional connection with their customers. This connection can be achieved by speaking to the needs and desires of their target audience–and storytelling is an effective way to achieve that.
Storytelling allows businesses to:
Connect with Customers: Connecting with customers involves effectively communicating brand values, personality, and messages that resonate deeply with the target audience. Through the art of crafting compelling narratives, businesses can engage customers on a profound level, leveraging the emotive power of storytelling to leave a lasting impression.
Build Trust and Credibility: Building trust and credibility is paramount in fostering long-term relationships with customers. By sharing authentic stories about the company's history, values, and mission, businesses establish a sense of trustworthiness and authenticity. This foundation of trust nurtures a loyal customer base that remains steadfast even through challenges, leading to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.
Inspire Action: Moreover, storytelling inspires action and advocacy among customers, as emotionally connected individuals are more likely to support the brand's cause. By aligning stories with their values and beliefs, businesses can inspire customers to actively participate in community initiatives and become brand ambassadors.
Furthermore, in a recent blog post on Piktochart, we found an interesting statistic that 65% of people are visual leaners by nature. (Bradford, "Reaching the Visual Learner: Teaching Property Through Art"). This statistic alone shows that visual storytelling is an effective method to engage and resonate with your audiences.
How to Use Visual Storytelling to Make Your Business Stand Out
Elevating Your Products and Services
One way to use visual storytelling for your rural business is to showcase the craftsmanship and skill behind your products or services. Take Old School Seals, a local family-owned business offering custom peel-n-stick seals, wax stamps, and custom jewelry, who partnered with Eberle Studios to showcase their products through photography and web design. See the full project in action.
Showcase Your Local Impact
Is your business deeply rooted in the community? Leverage the power of visual storytelling to spotlight your business’s involvement in the local area. Take inspiration from the Mitchell County, Welcome Home video—a collaborative effort by the Beloit Area Chamber, Economic Development, and Tourism—to highlight the county's offerings and promote it as an ideal destination to live, work, and play.
Promote Your Campaign
Visual storytelling can be used to create compelling campaign videos to promote your business or local attractions. Explore the success story of the “Enjoy the Great Outdoors” campaign initiated by Glen Elder State Park in partnership with the Waconda Cultural Association. This campaign was designed to promote the Waconda Springs historical area and increase awareness of the many outdoor recreational opportunities available at Glen Elder State Park during the winter months and achieved this through visual storytelling.
Closing Thoughts
In summary, storytelling is a powerful tool that businesses can use to connect with their audience, establish their brand, and build trust and loyalty. By investing in storytelling, businesses can create a more meaningful and impactful relationship with their customers. It is a powerful way to differentiate from competitors and create a lasting impression on the audience.
If you're a rural business owner or entrepreneur, don't underestimate the impact of visual storytelling. Embrace it, harness its power, and watch as it transforms your business in ways you never thought possible.
Get Started Today with Eberle Studios
Ready to take your visual storytelling to the next level? Contact us today for a consultation and discover how our team can help you integrate visual storytelling into your business plan to help you drive results.