YOU’VE GOT 8 SECONDS The human brain is flooded with hundreds of messages, images and ads each day. It’s so commonplace now, that we hardly even notice it. With ease of global communication right at our fingertips (mobile), at the sound of our voice (Bluetooth), or in the blink of an eye (thank you, Google Glass), it’s so easy for a branded message—your message—to get lost in the clutter. There’s so much to absorb that we spend less and less time attending to and processing each message, and more time taking in as much quantity as we can. With Facebook being arguably the single most important platform in social media today, how can you, as a marketer, use your fleeting 504 pixel by 504 pixel square to make a sticky, lasting impression?

1. SOCIAL MEDIA STORYTELLING
Using Wall Posts as a Social Narrative
Written by Melissa Pardo
Content Curated by Kara Clark
October 2014

2. Some believe, thanks to
social media, our average
attention span is now
shorter than that of a
goldfish.

3. You said something?

4. So, with a split second
opportunity…
What can a brand do to capture
fans’ and followers’ attention?

5. …and keep
them engaged?

6. Tell them a story.

7. PICTURE STORIES
Choose your
characters, setting, and
props to create a
plotline across your
timeline.

8. INFLUENCER STORIES
Let your biggest, most
influential
ambassadors tell your
story…
in their own words.

9. USER GENERATED STORIES
Energize fans to tell your
brand story…
And reward participation
in a follow up post!

10. MYSTERY STORIES
Everyone loves a
good mystery…
Gamify your timeline
and boost
engagement by using
your posts to lead
your witnesses.

11. HOW-TO’S
Use your social posts to
provide value to your
fans. Simple how-to’s are
easily shared, but also
drive conversation.

12. BREAKING STORIES
Use posts in response to
real time events to
instantly garner fan
enthusiasm and
engagement.

13. GRAPHIC STORIES
Infographics are a
creative, eye-catching
way to tell a lot of
story in a small space.

14. HOLIDAY STORIES
There’s a holiday for
everything. Find
yours and give your
fans yet another
reason to celebrate
your brand.

15. Tell me more.

16. You’ve got 8
seconds.

17. OTHER POPULAR
STORYBOARD TECHNIQUES

18. CO-CREATION
Why do all the heavy lifting
when, if given the chance,
your fans will tell you
exactly what they want to
see. Partner with your
community to build fun
engaging stories.

19. MEMES
Memes are, by nature:
 Recognizable
 Adaptable
 Relatable
 Spreadable
Plug in your brand for an
easy engagement boost!

20. GAMES
Challenge your
fans to engage
with your brand by
offering up a
simple game!

21. MULTIPLE CHOICE
When asked for your
opinion you will:
a) Give it
b) Leave a comment
c) Boost brand
engagement
d) All of the above!

22. THIS OR THAT
Crowd source your
products and drive
branded conversation
by using direct CTA’s
for engagement:
“Like” for this,
“Share” for that.

23. But wait…
There’s more!

24. CONTESTS
Contests, while
clickbait, follow up
results posts touting
winners and prizes
create engaging local
stories in the Timeline.

25. FREEBIES
Because freebies.

26. DISCOUNTS
Discounts and offers
always drive clicks, but
combine some of the
story telling tactics
together to gamify, drive
sharing, and reward
fans.

27. Did I miss anything?

28. BRANDS FEATURED
Thanks to all the amazing brands
on Facebook, featured in this presentation:
Budweiser https://www.facebook.com/BudweiserUSA
Forever21 https://www.facebook.com/Forever21
Gap https://www.facebook.com/Gap
Hollister https://www.facebook.com/hollister
Charmin https://www.facebook.com/charmin
Free People https://www.facebook.com/FreePeople
Coors Light https://www.facebook.com/coorslight
Flo, The Progressive Girl
https://www.facebook.com/flotheprogressivegirl
Dr Pepper https://www.facebook.com/DrPepper
Intel https://www.facebook.com/Intel
Pringles https://www.facebook.com/PringlesUS
Coca-Cola https://www.facebook.com/cocacola
Brisk https://www.facebook.com/brisk
Dentyne https://www.facebook.com/Dentyne
Bud Light https://www.facebook.com/BudLight
Oreo https://www.facebook.com/oreo
Dove https://www.facebook.com/DoveUS
Hanes https://www.facebook.com/hanes
Kohl’s https://www.facebook.com/kohls
Chick-Fil-A https://www.facebook.com/ChickfilA
T.J. Maxx https://www.facebook.com/tjmaxx
Bath & Body Works
https://www.facebook.com/bathandbodyworks
Windows Phone
https://www.facebook.com/windowsphone
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
https://www.facebook.com/KrispyKreme