Oneika Raymond presented The Art of Storytelling at the 2015 Blogging While Brown Conference. Here’s what you’ll learn in this session: How do I craft a tale that is not only interesting and well-written but shows my personality? How do I use photography, vlogging, and social media to extend my narrative and captivate my audience? Session Description: It's no secret that successful blogs tell good stories.This session is for bloggers hoping to take their blog to the next level by improving their ability to spin a good yarn. By exploring specific writing, photography, and new media techniques, bloggers will walk away with practical tips for captivating audiences and growing their reader base. About Oneika Raymond: Oneika Raymond is an educator, writer, and travel junkie who has travelled to 70 countries on 6 continents. She chronicles her adventures abroad on her blog, Oneika the Traveller, and is a contributor for Conde Nast Traveler. Oneika's writing has also been featured in a number of online publications including National Geographic, Ebony, and The Huffington Post. Originally from Canada, she is a serial expat who has lived in France, Mexico, Hong Kong, and the UK. A thrill-seeker who is always in the midst of planning her next trip, Oneika has, amongst other things, trekked in Nepal, sailed in Croatia, and gone on safari in Tanzania.

1. The Art of Storytelling
Oneika Raymond- Blogging While Brown
2015

2. A blogging joke to
begin
Q: What did
the hippie
blogger yell at
the rally for
writers’ rights?

3. A: “Write on!”
(this is the part where you
laugh)

4. Hi,
I’m Oneika
Raymond.
Traveller
Teacher
Writer and blogger

6. You can
also find my
writing
here:

7. The Art of Storytelling
What we’ll be talking about
1. Before you begin your
story
2. The words (nuts and
bolts)
3. Visual storytelling
4. Storytelling and social
media
5. Things you shouldn’t
forget
6. Q&A

8. Q: What is a blog?

10. a Web site that contains online
personal reflections, comments,
and often hyperlinks provided
by the writer
blog
noun ˈbläg
As defined by Merriam-Webster:

11. My definition:
A blog** is a place where you
tell your stories.
Where you
share your
perspective +
impressions of
the world
through your
unique lens.
**digital platform = discuss current events/
recent happenings.

12. Why is good storytelling on
your blog important?
Good storytelling:
1. Helps attract readers
2. Makes them read the whole post
3. Makes them come back for more
Compelling stories = a successful blog

14. 1. Before you begin your story
Ask yourself:
 What makes a good story?
 What is the main point or idea?
 Who is your audience?
 What problem does your story
solve or what question(s) does
it answer?

15. Where do you want to take
the reader? #goals

16. 2. The words (nuts and bolts)
a) Use good titles
 To the point or
provocative
 SEO-friendly?
 URL should be shareable

17. Informative
and to the
point

18. Provocative

19. Incendiary

20. Url: SEO-friendly,
eliminates
unnecessary words

21. b) Define your voice
 Voice is the distinct
personality, style, or
point of view of a
piece of writing or
any other creative
work
 Employs elements of
tone, style, and
mood

22. Your voice is (a big reason) why
your readers keep coming
back.
A strong voice:
 Grabs your
reader’s
attention
 Conveys a
consistent
mood/tone
throughout the
body of your
work
Your voice is your brand!

23. Example: Luvvie Ajayi, author of
www.awesomelyluvvie.com

24. Luvvie has
her own
language--
A unique
lexion that is
distinctly hers

25. c) Start your
narrative in
medias res
 Latin for “In the
midst of things”
 Kick off story in the
middle of the plot/
conflict/ action
 Hooks the reader

26. “Not five minutes after we enter the
handkerchief-sized nightclub, one of the
Japanese dudes who has been surreptitiously
looking us up and down since our arrival sidles
up to us nervously. We are the only two black
girls in a room full of Japanese, all men except
for the petite DJ — and obviously curiosity has
gotten the better of him. The words that escape
from his lips are halting but easily discernible,
even as old school reggae shakes the room.
‘Where you from?’ ”

27. d) Layout: Structure and organizing
your blog posts
 Best blog posts: 500-700
words
 Write clearly and
concisely
 Use headings to break
up content!
 Organize blog content
into sections
(“evergreen” content at
the top or displayed
prominently elsewhere)

28. Example: A Black Girl’s Guide to Weight Loss
Categories in navigation bar allow for easy access to posts on popular topics

29. Categories in nav
bar for easy
access to popular
or important
content

30. Sections for “evergreen” content
prominently displayed on homepage

31. e) Allow readers to interact
with your posts
 Ask open-
ended
questions at
the end of
your posts to
generate
discussions
 Accept
comments on
posts
 Easy to find
social media
buttons so
posts can be
shared

32. 3. Visual storytelling
How many of
the following
photos do you
recognize?

37. A picture is worth a thousand words.
They tell a story.

38. • Images that are
evocative, sobering,
funny, etc. have
impact
• Killer images= more
interesting blog posts

39. a) Choose
a killer
lead
image for
your blog
post

40. (Who wouldn’t want to read on after peeping this
view?)
Why killer? Awe-inducing

41. Example #2:
Encounter
with locals in
Tokyo

42. Why is this a good lead image? The stance, clothing, facial
expressions, and gestures of the locals pique the reader’s
curiosity.
“Who are these guys and how did she
come to know them?”

43. Three tips from Lola Akinmade Åkerström
(Founder of Geotraveler Media, award-winning travel writer and
photographer) :
1. Shoot creatively: take
your photos from
mundane to
interesting
2. When photographing
people: interact with
your subject
3. When photographing
places: insert life

44. Tip #1 Example: Shoot creatively. Okay shot, but could be better

45. My attempt to make shot a bit less mundane: Focus on a single object,
colour and texture more pronounced

46. Example: A portrait with some extra intrigue

47. Example: Attempt to make composition more interesting

48. Example: Fun with angles and
perspective

49. Tip #2 Example: When photographing people, interact with the subject
Subject consented to
photo, eyes looking
into the camera =
better than “sneaky”
photo

50. “Interacting gets
you closer.
Closer gets you
better travel
photographs.”
-Lola Akinmade Åkerström

51. Intense eye contact from the subject engages the viewer

52. Eye contact and smiles = warmth and good vibes

53. Tip #3 Example: Insert
life when photographing
landscapes– Lola says it
“tells a story of
interaction”

54. Static landscape feels alive when subjects interact with it

55. “Boring” pyramid pic is given scale and context when
subject (me!) is in the frame

56. b) Mix it up! Add video
 Audiovisual content is
a great way to build
brand and voice–
readers get to “know”
you better
 More dynamic and
engaging than still
images
 Youtube: More than 1
billion users

57. My Channel: OneikaTraveller

58. 4. Storytelling and Social Media
WHY?
• Extend your narrative, more reach
• Quick, casual, easily shareable: microblogging
Facebook: 1.44 billion
monthly users
Instagram: 302 million
monthly users
Twitter: 300 million
monthly users
Pinterest: 47.1 million
monthly users

59. Example: Humans of New
York’s Instagram page (3.1
million followers)

60. • Single photo: over 109k “likes”
• High level of engagement
• Comments and tags from viewers

61.  Microblogging on
social media sites is
also a quicker and less
onerous way to
connect with readers
No time to sit down
and write a full
blog post?
 When blog is on
“hiatus” social media
posts can fill the gap

62. Tips
a) Use Hootsuite to
schedule and
promote
b) Don’t hesitate to
work with brands:
hashtag, tweet, and
tag
c) Establish mutually
beneficial
relationships with
other creators
d) Consider social
media takeovers
with brands that are
out of your niche
but have a similar
target audience

63. Social media takeovers introduce your blog to a new audience

64. 5. Things you shouldn’t forget
a. Be “k”ontroversial
like Kanye: write
about hot button
topics you care
about
 Goal: promote healthy
debate
 Positives: more traffic,
authenticity
 Negatives: potential
fallout

67. Courting
controversy
is not
always easy

68. b. Use your
platform for
GOOD and to
speak about
something of
substance
You CAN post about
things outside of
your niche

69. c. Don’t be
afraid to get
personal.
Your pain
may be
someone
else’s gain

70. d. Research (and
proofread!) your
work before
posting
Use multiple, reliable,
and up-to-date
resources when
necessary

71. e.Ask readers what
they want from your
blog
i. What interests them?
i. What do they want to
see more of?
i. What thing would they
like you to try?
i. What questions would
they like answered?
i. What don’t they like?

72. The Takeaway
 Good storytelling is integral to your blog
 Good storytelling not only involves good writing but
well-organized content, strong images, and a
skillful use of social media
 Good storytelling establishes and maintains a
personal connection between you and the reader
and adds value to their lives

73. A blogging joke to end

74. Questions?
Oneika Raymond
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/
OneikaTheTraveller
Twitter and instagram:
@oneikatraveller
Website:
www.oneika-the-traveller.com