Written by: Vickie Sullivan | March 14, 2019
How to Counteract False Stories
The dark side of storytelling: the meteoric rise of the false narrative, meant to bolster a response. Analytics have made this tactic popular on social media with increased clicks and engagement.
So, how do we as thought leaders bring the truth to the issue? Well, first off, the first thing not to do is to say, “This is a lie” and then back it up with facts. That doesn’t work because the false narrative touches on what folks already agree with. So, if you go with a full-frontal denial, the “believers” will create another story to ignore you.
Instead, do this: Share an equally compelling story that shows an “on-the-ground” perspective. Show how the 30,000-foot view is inaccurate. You don’t even have to make your case. Let the story do the talking.
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The #1 reason why lies spread on social media is that they highlight a hidden truth: what people believe but won’t dare say for fear of being judged. The false story gives them the “I knew I was right” feeling, which is why it’s shared. Only when we match tactics – such as storytelling with equal emotion – can we bring a real world perspective to the discussion.
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