I used storytelling to try and get my idea across to a group of people I wanted to  help me start a food pantry for pets.  As a writer, I’ve used stories my whole life  and so that technique is most natural to me when I’m trying to influence or  simply communicate.  I used the stories of animals and their down-and-out  caregivers to try tug on the heartstrings of prospective stakeholders.

There were many times I tried to use storytelling – some with success and some  without.  I used one story about my own dog coming from a woman in the  south who had to give him up because she could no longer afford him.  This  worked on a few of the people I spoke with and they donated to the program.

One thing I learned is that some people are not interested in stories – only facts  and profits.  Those types of people are too hard to me to communicate with.

For things I’d change next time, the first would be practicing emotional  detachment, for one.  I can’t understand how people don’t want to help others  in their community keep their animals – especially if they are well off.  I would  also try and pick the tool according to my audience and know my audience well  before speaking with them.


I used storytelling to try and get my idea across to a group of people I wanted to help me start a food pantry for pets . As a writer , I ’ve used stories my whole life and so that technique is most natural to me when I ’m trying to influence or simply communicate . I used the stories of animals and their down - and - out caregivers to try tug on the heartstrings of prospective stakeholders . There were many times I tried to use storytelling – some with success and some without . I used one story about my own dog coming from a woman in the south who had to give him up because she could no longer afford him . This worked on a few of the people I spoke with and they donated to the program . One thing I learned is that some people are not interested in stories – only facts and profits . Those types of people are too hard to me to communicate with . For things I ’d change next time , the first would be practicing emotional detachment , for one . I ca n’t understand how people do n’t want to help others in their community keep their animals – especially if they are well off . I would also try and pick the tool according to my audience and know my audience well before speaking with them .