In our previous article, we made a case for true digital storytelling on the internet. A passionate plea for real stories of flesh and blood. About heroes who achieve the impossible, about people who have endured trials from which they have emerged stronger. About leaders who know how to connect people and communities with their stories. But how do you do that? In this contribution, we will delve deeper into the foundations of a powerful digital story.
The word storytelling consists of two parts: 'story' and 'telling', denmark telegram data content and performance. To start with the latter, on the internet it works very differently. In traditional storytelling there is a 'classic' storytelling situation: the narrator is on stage or not and addresses the group. At home at a birthday party or in the pub there is also this classic situation: the narrator tells, the audience has a listening ear. At least if the story is worth listening to. Through the non-verbal interaction (reaction to words, the beginning of a smile or the horror at a scary detail) the narrator knows exactly what to do to keep his audience captivated.
In the digital world, the classic division of roles between 'sender' and 'listener' and the non-verbal interaction have completely disappeared. On social media, you are both the sender and the listener. Everyone is on stage (although it is striking how empty the halls sometimes are) or, if you prefer, everyone is sitting in the hall and talking along. Listening and talking along, the essence of dialogue , is well supported in that respect. But we miss the non-verbal interaction, and because of all those contributions, because of all those different storytellers, we quickly lose track. If you are not careful, everyone talks over each other, and you quickly lose the thread.