PART 2 OF 3

Storytelling is one of the most effective ways to make your message resonate on an emotional level. Humans are wired to respond to stories, which allow us to see ourselves in the narrative and make abstract ideas personal. As a communicator, telling stories can help you cut through political noise and connect directly with your audience.

  • Stories Make Policy Personal: It’s one thing to cite statistics about healthcare costs. It’s another to tell the story of a single mother in your community who is struggling to afford her child’s medication. When you tell a story, you humanize the issue, making it more tangible and relatable for your audience. (NPR, “How Stories Connect And Persuade Us”)
  • Stories Create Empathy: Well-told stories allow people to step into someone else’s shoes. By sharing real experiences—whether they’re your own or those of your constituents—you can foster empathy, which is far more likely to inspire action than numbers or facts alone. (Harvard, “How to Use Stories to Help Kids Develop Empathy”)
  • Stories Stick: Research shows that people are more likely to remember and repeat stories than facts. If you want your message to spread, stories are the way to do it. They’re easier to share, more engaging, and have greater staying power. “Stories are remembered up to 22 times more than facts alone.” (Stanford, “Harnessing The Power of Stories”)

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Hector Barajas is a nationally recognized expert in public affairs and public relations and a political and legislative analyst for Univision and Telemundo. www.Amplify360inc.com

At Amplify360, we are the trusted voice for trade associations, companies, and nonprofits. We navigate California’s complex legislative and regulatory landscape, translating our clients’ priorities into compelling narratives that resonate with legislators, regulators, and the public. We craft tailored messaging, find the right communication channels, and relentlessly advocate for our clients’ causes.

We transform complexity into clarity and challenges into opportunities.