How do you take basic, boring facts and turn them into compelling content that attracts and holds attention? Content so compelling that it also sparks a social media conversation?
Ira Glass is the host of NPR’s This American Life, and in this video he lays out how to produce compelling video, audio, and text content. Notice his use of the word “bait” for those who think link bait is only about controversy and nastiness.
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35 comments... add one
#1 Brent Hodgson → 06.14.08 at 12:07 pm
Fantastic video Brian - what a great find!
Just thinking… Combine this with a Zeigarnik-effect (incomplete action that needs to be completed) call-to-action, and it would be a killer salesletter strategy.
Brent
#2 Michael Martine → 06.14.08 at 12:08 pm
Holy cow, a video on Copyblogger! I enjoyed it and got a lot out of it. That whole anecdote/moment of reflection point is priceless. Thanks!
#3 Edward Lomax → 06.14.08 at 12:09 pm
Interesting. I like how he explains there are two parts… the story and the moment of reflection. You have to combine creativity in with presenting information. If you put both parts together correctly, then you should have a good link bait post.
Then all you need to do is use the tools to get that post in front of the people who will enjoy, and benefit from it.
#4 Ben C → 06.14.08 at 1:41 pm
Very useful video. Nice and short, but well explained. Thanks for posting it!
#5 Tony D. Clark → 06.14.08 at 1:55 pm
One of my favorite parts in this series he did (also on You Tube) is how we get better over time.
Having taste is one thing. Being able to translate that into something of value and that’s compelling, takes time and effort.
#6 Rich Hill → 06.14.08 at 1:59 pm
It seemed to me that Ira’s Anecdotal presentation, was fabulous and mind grabbing, and then his Moment of Reflection was totally anti-climactic! LOL!
Still, it was a super video and very helpful!
Thanks a lot.
#7 Bamboo Forest → 06.14.08 at 2:13 pm
Advice couldn’t be more valuable than this.
#8 Psiplex → 06.14.08 at 2:22 pm
Especially useful for understanding the underlying structures in creating compelling narrative that drives readership. Ira Glass broke this down very concisely and made it easy for this new blogger to begin correlating this into real world use. Ah, the life of a blogging pilgrim!
Thank you for posting and enlightening.
#9 Janice Cartier → 06.14.08 at 2:54 pm
What a treasure of a video. Fundamentals are huge. I can’t imagine it is ever a mistake to hone those, or to offer up a really good look at them.
Thank you for this. I was struggling with some content that this may just help.
@ Tony- you said a mouthful there. Reminds me of that apology from some author (I cannot remember who) for such a long letter, but the author did not have time to be brief. Good writing takes time, relevant and compelling writing, phew that’s a skill set to master huh?
#10 Geoff → 06.14.08 at 3:03 pm
When I made the leap from learning fiction in college to going to work at a huge ad agency, these were the types of lessons that carried over the most. People want stories they can identify with. To what end you are using stories may change, but the effectiveness of being able to spin a good yarn never will.
#11 David Porter → 06.14.08 at 8:04 pm
Brian,
I am starting an “Internet News Channel” shortly and this video was absolutely a perfect lesson for me.
Thanks!
#12 Bucktowndusty of FromThePen.com → 06.14.08 at 8:09 pm
Instantly thought of Paul Harvey’s “The rest of the story.”
#13 Tsatkin → 06.14.08 at 11:42 pm
I FREAKING HEART NPR
#14 maggie chicoine → 06.15.08 at 7:42 am
No matter how long we’ve been doing what we’ve been doing, there’s more to learn. Thanks for posting!
@ David…tell us more about your news channel please?
#15 Milly → 06.15.08 at 9:03 am
This is the type of lesson that can easily be used for blogging. It is such a learning process and this gem of information makes me understand why some posts are popular and others just don’t wash. Thanks!
#16 The Masked Millionaire → 06.15.08 at 11:08 am
Once again it is showed that there is always something else to learn.
The Masked Millionaire
#17 Nancy → 06.15.08 at 11:41 am
I soooo love Ira Glass! Thank you for turning me on to these YouTube videos of him. I, too, loved the other video he offers about how it takes time and not to give up too soon.
#18 Ira Glass and linkbait at The Cape Cod Farm → 06.15.08 at 1:34 pm
[...] The Ira Glass guide to linkbait « Frugal Freelancer [...]
#19 Brian Armstrong → 06.15.08 at 1:57 pm
Love it! Thanks…
#20 Melanie Kissell → 06.15.08 at 2:25 pm
Brian …
Simple yet amazing!
Ira’s video has helped me to figure out how to get a story from my head to my heart … and then onto paper in a way that will allow my readers to board the train, enjoy the trip, and reach a fabulous destination.
Write On!
~Melanie
#21 Patrick Riddle → 06.15.08 at 3:28 pm
Stories are a very powerful tool to transmit any message. Thanks for the tips!
#22 Lena → 06.15.08 at 9:16 pm
Wonderful find, Brian!
Ironic how most useful advice is really just common sense and something that “we all know but are too lazy to act upon”. If one were to give a summary of this video, there would not be a whole lot to talk about (well unless one really likes to talk :). Yet following the advice proves beneficial. Thanks again!
#23 Words for Writers » Ira Glass on Storytelling, Part 1 → 06.15.08 at 9:33 pm
[...] thanks to the crew at CopyBlogger for pointing out this excellent [...]
#24 How to Make the Boring Interesting | Net Writing → 06.16.08 at 5:50 am
[...] across this interesting video at Copyblogger. Basically, Ira Glass talked about how the mundane can be made interesting. The key is ask [...]
#25 Henry Adaso → 06.16.08 at 9:08 am
I agree with Lena, it sounds like common sense yet it’s such powerful advice. One of that makes you go, “Hey, I knew that,” but still sounds refreshing.
Great find, B.C.
#26 Technology Translated » Blog Archive » Ira Glass on Storytelling — What Works for Radio, Works for the Web → 06.16.08 at 11:23 am
[...] Brian Clark from Copyblogger posted on a video where NPR’s Ira Glass talks about the building blocks of storytelling in broadcasting. (Video embedded below.) Like any Monday morning, I had plenty of email to slog [...]
#27 Sonia Simone → 06.16.08 at 5:53 pm
Simple but hard, I love it. Ira Glass is unbelievably good at what he does, this was a wonderful find.
#28 Cool Links For Today (Share Yours Too) → 06.16.08 at 10:08 pm
[...] and holds attention? Content so compelling that it also sparks a social media conversation? See The Ira Glass Guide to Link Bait on [...]
#29 Karrie → 06.17.08 at 6:19 am
I don’t usually do ‘negative’ and try to keep any negative thoughts to myself, but am I alone in finding the video monotonal and repetitious, without the focused language of written posts here?
I’m definitely not anti-video as it is my business, but I don’t want to listen to rambling, and I find it difficult to give respect to an expert dressed scruffily … despite my own scruffy dress style!
Maybe it’s my age - yikes - help!
#30 jim peterson → 06.17.08 at 8:52 pm
Great post Brian. This was a masterpiece.
#31 Jacqueline Staph → 06.18.08 at 3:59 pm
Brian-
Thank you so much for posting this video, he so clearly explains the elements of telling a story. Sometimes it is the most simple things which make the most impact. What great insight!! I think Ira may be my new nerd crush….
By the way, if anyone saw the season finale of This American Life about “John”, you can see Ira’s principals in their holy perfection.
#32 The Ira Glass Guide to Compelling Content « Social Media Snippets → 06.29.08 at 4:47 pm
[...] posted about a podcast from Ira Glass, host of NPR’s This American Life, discussing the art of storytelling. First, if you’re not already reading Brian’s blog on a regular basis, I’d highly [...]
#33 Scott Meis → 06.29.08 at 6:40 pm
Thanks for posting Brian, a superb video. I always enjoy your posts. So true how the art of storytelling weaves into so many parts of our lives.
#34 Three Sticky Ways to Hold Reader Attention | Copyblogger → 07.08.08 at 11:07 am
[...] details and narrative to show the reader what really happened. Get nitty-gritty with your reader and she’ll reward [...]
#35 Grab and Keep Attention → 07.22.08 at 6:58 pm
[...] details and narrative to show the reader what really happened. Get nitty-gritty with your reader and she’ll reward you [...]
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