There are two primary camps when it comes to story telling – content generation and content consumption. Reader or writer. Baker or eater. Sure, we all do both, but one drives us. One we research. One we have goals and dreams about. The other is simply other. Regardless of the camp, lasting impressions are a game changer in the world of content. Here’s why we should care and what we must do if we hope to leave lasting impressions with our readers.

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Do You Create or Consume Content?

If you are focused on creating content (written or verbal), you’ve not doubt pondered how to make better content.

If you are focused on consuming content (everyone who loves to read raise your hand), you’ve noticed some content is far better than others. Why is that?

Creating better content and enjoying better content boils down to a central significant component. At the core, great stories leave lasting impressions.

The way these lasting impressions manifest themselves vary but can be summarized by describing them as a visceral response. Even if it’s at the sub-conscious level, something about the content impacts us.

Great stories hit us with a sense of satisfaction, joy, sadness, conviction, motivation, encouragement, inspiration, or knowledge. We may not be able to put our finger on it but we mark the story in our minds and hearts as a positive experience.

In adult literature, that positive experience typically crescendos in us closing the book, leaning back in our chair, and feeling a little speechless as our minds race back and forth over the material.

In children’s literature, that positive experience of a great story is marked by re-reading the material over, and over, and over again.

Have you ever read There are Rocks in My Socks! by Patricia Thomas and Mordicai Gerstein?

What about Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss?

I simply can’t get enough of these two books. They are irresistible when picking out bed time stories. They are re-readable in the best sense of the word. They don’t get old like many stories do and they have left a lasting impression.

Why do I say all this? Why focus on these classics and their positive lasting impressions?

Lasting Impressions

Simply put, if your content, book, story, article, blog, vlog, etc. doesn’t leave a lasting impressive, it’s not going to be successful. It would be far better to write a story that leaves an incredible lasting impression that it would be to create lots of stories that are easily forgotten.

No one tells their friend about that story they forgot. No one recommends mediocre content when their reputation is on the line.

But everyone, seriously everyone, happily shares and recommends content that strikes a cord. Literature that hits the heart. Knowledge that challenges the mind. Conviction that stirs the soul. Children’s books that bring laughter to bedtime.

How are you doing with writing books that leave lasting impressions? You’re not alone if you feel like improvement is needed. We all struggle with our own biases to accept or promote our work even if deep down inside we think maybe, just maybe, it could be better. It could be slicker. It could be more powerful. Maybe these 10 Simple Ways to Become a Better Writer by Alexandra Franzen are exactly what you need? Take special note of Alexandra’s #10…Be a Daymaker!

Recognizing the need to create content that grabs a reader or watcher and doesn’t let them go is critical to long-term success. I don’t want you to jump on my site, or pick up one of my books, read a little or a lot, and then forget all about it. It’s not worth it.

What’s truly worth it, what brings real value, is connection. Connecting on the emotional level where the words on the page become something more. Sometime nearly intangible. Something else entirely. A memory. An experience. A part of us.

We can do this. We can that that one draft, sitting in the dusty corner of our lives, and we can pour ourselves into it. We can give it life. We can mold it and make it such an unstoppable force, that someone, maybe lots of someones, will be struck by it.

I love how Matt Ragland pieces powerful stories together in his post, 5 Elements of Powerful Stories. There is a method to creating powerful content. We don’t need to invent it and we don’t need to copy someone else’s methods. Matt explains in his post five components that result in great content.

Holding Ourselves Accountable to Create Quality Content

The only way we can create these lasting impressions is if we hold ourselves accountable to creating quality content. Giving our writing the time it requires to be sticky. Sticky in the mind and heart of a reader. A consumer. Give them an experience worth far more than what they’ve paid. Change them in such a way that they’ll appreciate how they traded their time, for your story.

The reason I write, is to connect with you in some way. Whether by encouragement or challenge in your creative pursuits. If this piece left a lasting impression with you, would you consider doing one (or all) of the following?

1. There is an email subscription box on the right side bar (or down below on mobile devices) to subscribe to this blog. When I share content, it goes to email subscribers first before making rounds on social media. I’d like you to be in the first group so you can digest and act on the information as quickly as possible.
2. I’d like to know what you think about creating or digesting great content and the impressions that last with you. Share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback in the comment section below. I respond to EVERY comment and I guarantee your comment will help or challenge thousands and thousands of people for many years to come.
3. If you enjoyed this piece on how great stories leave lasting impressions, no doubt many in your sphere of influence would also enjoy it. Please use the social media icons below and above to share this page with your social networks.

Remember, if the content doesn’t leave a lasting impression with you, it certainly won’t leave any lasting impressions with your readers. Take the time to write something powerful that YOU can’t get enough of. You do that…and you’ll find incredible results.

Happy writing!

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