-Insights from Vidya Srinivasan, Principal PM, Meta
Hope you’re all crafting unique products and making each day count. Today, we’re diving into something a little different yet super crucial for us product folks — the art of storytelling.
Not so long ago, we at Zeda.io stumbled upon a gem of a conversation with Vidya Srinivasan, Principal PM, Meta, on the Product Cafe podcast. Vidya shared some valuable insights on how storytelling isn’t just an add-on but a core skill for product managers.
Think about it. Our products do some pretty cool stuff, but what really hooks people is the story behind them. Remember when Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone? He didn’t list specs; he told us a story about revolutionizing technology. That’s the power of storytelling. It makes people care, listen, and remember.
Check out this video to understand what we are talking about!🤩👇
The Power of Storytelling
While conversing with Vidya, she brought to light the compelling power of storytelling. She points out, “Being a storyteller as a product manager is a great skill.”
She emphasized that storytelling in product management is akin to data analysis — it’s a tool that can significantly elevate your product’s impact.
But how do you effectively integrate storytelling into your product strategy? Here are some priceless insights from the conversation:
1. Know when to weave a story✅
Storytelling is powerful, but it’s not always the right approach. For instance, in high-stakes executive meetings where decisions hinge on critical issues, it’s better to stick to the facts, data, and clear decision points. Understanding the right moments to employ storytelling is important.
2. Tailor your story👏
A one-size-fits-all story doesn’t exist. Vidya stressed the importance of knowing your audience well enough to craft a narrative that resonates specifically with them. What works for one group may not impact another in the same way.
3. Fine-tune the granularity🧩
Finding the perfect balance in storytelling — neither too brief to be impactful nor too verbose to lose your audience — is an art. The depth and detail of your story should be just right to captivate and convey your message effectively.
4. Authenticity is key🔑
Perhaps the most crucial advice Vidya shared is the importance of authenticity in your storytelling. Borrowing someone else’s narrative or experiences can dilute the connection you’re trying to build with your audience. Your story should be genuinely yours, filled with real emotions and experiences that you’ve lived. This authenticity is what truly resonates with people.
Finding Your Storytelling Moments
Storytelling can elevate various aspects of product management, from presenting a new feature to making a case for a strategic shift. Vidya highlights the importance of knowing your audience and crafting stories that align with their interests and needs. It’s not about using storytelling at every opportunity but about choosing the right moments to make a lasting impact.
Remember, the essence of storytelling in product management is not to overshadow your product’s value with fancy narratives but to accentuate its significance in a way that engages and inspires. Whether you’re discussing a user’s problem or advocating for a new direction, a well-crafted story can be your most powerful tool.
Integrating Storytelling into Product Management
Imagine your customer, “Ben,” a passionate entrepreneur, facing hurdles your product aims to solve. Through storytelling, you don’t just list features or data; you weave Ben’s trials, aspirations, and how your solution fits into his journey.
Storytelling transforms presentations into relatable narratives, making each feature a key to Ben’s success, not just a bullet point. It connects emotionally, showing your product’s impact in real life.
Decision-making benefits greatly from storytelling. Picture scenarios with “Ben” at the crossroads, showing how different decisions affect his path. This method doesn’t just share data but breathes life into it, making your team feel the product’s potential impact.
This storytelling approach in product management blends art and science. It enriches data with narratives, embedding the ‘why’ behind your product deep into your team and stakeholders’ hearts and, ultimately, your users.
Through storytelling, you’re crafting more than a product; you’re painting a vision of a better future enabled by your creation. Every feature and user interaction becomes part of a grander story, inspiring everyone involved to build towards that vision.
Starting Your Storytelling Journey
Vidya’s top tip- Just start. Storytelling is a muscle that strengthens with use. Begin with small audiences, like your team, and experiment with different styles and narratives. Script your stories, refine your approach, and gradually, you’ll find your unique voice and style.
Resources to Guide You
Vidya recommends “DataStory: Explain Data and Inspire Action Through Story” by Nancy Duarte and “The Storyteller’s Secret” by Carmine Gallo as excellent reads. These resources provide practical guidelines and inspiration from some of the best storytellers in the business world.
Storytelling isn’t just about creating a narrative; it’s about forging a deeper connection with your users, stakeholders, and team members.
So, as you draft your next product pitch or plan your strategy, remember the power of storytelling. It’s not about going overboard with narratives but about strategically using stories to shine the value and potential of your product in a way that data alone cannot.
Let’s make our products not just seen but felt. Let’s tell stories that resonate, connect, and, ultimately, convert.
Watch the Podcast for a deeper dive!👇
Want to get such unique insights straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our Product Cafe newsletter to get the latest and interesting updates about tech, AI, product management, and a lot more. Subscribe to Product Cafe!
