"The NeverEnding Story"

"IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A STORY, HAVE A BIG STORY, OR NONE AT ALL."  - JOSEPH CAMPBELL

Every good story you read or movie that you watch has 3 basic elements: A Beginning, A Middle, and an End. Now that seems like a very obvious statement to say, but what if one of those 3 elements are missing? Could a "good" story still be told? What if there's a creation to everything and an end to anything, but there's not a middle thing? What would that look like?

THE BEGINNING
I've always believed that everything I've written and Produced should be developed into these 3 same elements...from every Video Script, every Short Story, and every Project that I create. Over the years, I've come across all sorts of projects and have seen various companies missing one simple element...the Middle of their own story! That's right, there wasn't a Middle...only a Beginning and an End. What does that mean exactly when there isn't a Middle?  Let's pretend that we want to start up our own company and we'll call it, "Twirly Birds". (You know, for kids!) And this is a company that is going to revolutionize the Hula-Hoop Industry by having a digital chip that makes the Hula-Hoop twirl on it's own without any assistance from our own bodies. Let's also say that it will play downloadable music and lights up too. Kids would love that! Right?! (PS - If this product is created after reading this blog, please email me a silent partnership agreement as I would like "my" cut! HA!) 

A new Product has been born! We're now ready to make some sales, right? WRONG! We're still at the beginning and we've got a lot to do including everything from: raising investor capital, product engineering & testing, more engineering & more testing, pattens, trademarks, a website, more investor capital, forming a Sales Team, creating a Marketing, Branding and Social Media Plan....and everything in between. Sheesh, I'm worn out just typing all of this and we're STILL at the Beginning! Now, let's pause for a moment. How many new companies at this stage of the game do you think would've folded by this point; a few, most of them, or somewhere in the middle? From my experience, most new companies spend all their time and resources building a beautiful foundation, but forget that they need some walls, a roof, and some clear executable goals to reach their own endgame. Basically, without a 3 step plan of attack, our new "Twirly Birds" company will fail. Thus they had a good Beginning and an abrupt End, but no Middle.
Bye Bye Music Playing, Self Twirling, Hula-Hoop thingy! 

How many of us are like that in our own lives and with our own business? Kind of makes you wonder what the Bible would look like without the middle huh?! In the beginning there was (dot) (dot) (dot) REVELATIONS! WHOA! Scary...let's move on!

THE MIDDLE
Are you still at the Beginning with only and End in Sight? Let's get to the Middle of it all.  

Typically the Middle of a story deals with: a series of events or complications occur, leading to an increase in the tension. This is also where the characters change and grow as they deal with the conflicts they face. Some of the minor crises are temporarily resolved, but the story continues in the direction of a major crisis, or climax.

So how does this relate to your business? Breaking this definition down (a series of events or complications occur, leading to an increase in tension) we realize that this is where the plot or heart of your story really begins! In reality, the Middle is your actual starting point; Everything leading up to here, is just Prologue. Like a movie or TV show, in the middle, your audience starts following your story and your characters (or employees in this case). They begin to watch all the ups and downs of everything you're trying to say and in most cases, they decided to leave you if your story just isn't interesting to them at all. This is the time to kick your story and what you have to offer in high gear! Better make it interesting! :)

Giving your Audience what Really Matters
Do you remember when Movie Channels used to Premiere the latest new releases each week on Saturday night? I can remember waiting all week to finally make it to 7pm on Saturday night, hearing that oh-so-familiar HBO intro song, watching the new movie, and then discussing this good or bad film at work the following Monday. Many fun conversations were told and some brought about smiles...while others truly disagreed. Getting to the point...the Middle of your story is a place that all company's, new and old, should try to develop more. This is your primary point of conversation that your audience will talk about and will try to figure out where your employees will end up, how your story will reach its conclusion and if your company is worth buying into. 


"Middle" Points to Remember-
1) Know "Your" Story! Real storytelling is about making your business standout or be unique. What are you really about?
2) Have a Persuasive Voice! Capturing the attention of your audience and keeping your story REAL is of the upmost importance. Keep it Real. Keep it Simple. Keep it Going. Don't ever stop! This is where your story becomes EXCITING!
3) Evolve! Just because your story has been told a thousand times, you need to keep developing your story and your brand to grow and/or maintain any type of long-term relationship with your audience.


So give your Audience what Really Matters and keep them on the edge of their seat wanting to hear more about YOU and what you have to offer. Who knows, maybe you'll create a new fan-base that can't wait for the sequel!


THE END
Well don't stop now...keep your dream going?
What is the key to your story?
Inquiring Minds want to know! 

If you need help developing your story, please feel free to contact me and together we'll make sure your Voice gets heard!