Storytelling as a Career Tool!
By Pooja Arora
My friend, Ankit Verma, a 40-year-old former journalist, turned his love for food into his full-time career. It was not an easy decision to leave the comfort of an air-conditioned news studio and start a journey as a food blogger. But he noticed the trend towards food blogging during the pandemic when everyone was turning into a chef, staying at home. He used his oratory skills to his advantage, and there has been no looking back! His social media channel, ‘Khichdi’ (which means a dish made of rice and legumes), showcases small street-food vendors in India making delicious snacks and cousins. But that’s not all; he shares his story as part of his content. He talks about his favourite food, features videos of his father cooking, and shares cafeteria stories, among others. He engages with his audience live and ensures that he is connected to them throughout each episode.
And it’s not just about food. Take Niharikaa Sood, for example. On LinkedIn, she mostly shares her story of failure in the corporate world and how she eventually became a successful writer by freelancing on platforms like ‘Medium’ and learning all about how social media algorithms work. All she wanted to do was write articles, but she didn’t know how to handle the 9-to-5 job culture. She sells her content strategies in the form of engaging workshops, and she claims to earn through LinkedIn. Her story is relatable to many who struggle to start a career in writing! Similarly, Ankur Warikoo, an engineer turned content creator, has built a massive following by sharing career highs, failures, and life lessons in a way that feels relevant.
Another friend of mine, Kathryn Lancioni, is an entrepreneur and a Public Relations expert. She helps new entrepreneurs leverage their personal stories to grow their businesses. Her workshops emphasize that every individual’s story is not just about their past; it is their brand! Individuals across sectors, including nutritionists, doctors, tutors, and real estate agents, among others, are adopting this strategy and achieving success.
As a Public Relations professional settled in Canada, I work with influencers regularly for brand promotion. Most of these influencers (nano, micro, and macro) are technically doing what Ankit did many years ago, i.e., they try to balance a full-time career with a side hustle for extra income. But eventually they aim to become full-time content creators!
Storytelling, therefore, is no longer an option. It’s a great tool to connect meaningfully with the right audience, be it brands or individuals. Whether it’s Ankit’s favourite food memory, Niharika’s new workshop, or Kathryn’s professional journey, every unique story matters, and it can take you places you never imagined.
As Steve Jobs rightly said, “The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storyteller sets the vision, values, and agenda of an entire generation that is to come.”
Pooja Arora, PhD, is a Strategic Communications and Public Relations professional with 16 years of experience. She is working with BLS International in Canada as part of the marketing communications department. Besides this, she is an award-winning educator and a researcher.