- 3 min read

Tales Within a Tale Storytelling

Frame Storytelling

Have you ever been captivated by a story that unfolds from another story, like opening a box only to find another intriguing box inside? This narrative technique, known as the frame story, can add layers of depth and intrigue to how you present your product or company. Imagine using this approach to share the journey of your software product, where the outer story sets the stage for a compelling inner narrative that draws your audience in deeper. In this post, I promise to guide you through mastering the frame story, enhancing how you communicate your product’s impact and evolution.

The goal of utilizing a frame story in product storytelling is to enrich the main narrative by embedding it within a broader context or backstory. This technique not only enhances engagement by adding depth and multiple layers of meaning but also allows for a creative exploration of your product's impact from various perspectives.

Overview of Frame Storytelling

Pros:

Depth and Complexity: Adds complexity and richness to the narrative, providing a broader context.
Engagement: Captures the audience’s interest through multiple layers of story, keeping them engaged to see how both stories resolve.
Versatility: Offers flexibility to explore different aspects of the product or company history through multiple viewpoints within the same narrative.

Cons:

Potential Complexity: Can confuse audiences if the connection between the frame and the inner story isn’t clear.
Risk of Distraction: The outer narrative might distract from the core message of the inner story if not balanced well.
Length and Detail: Managing the length and ensuring both stories are engaging without diluting the overall message can be challenging.

Step 1

Define the Outer Frame

What is the setting and context of the outer story? How does it relate to the inner story?

Example: A seasoned product manager sharing lessons learned with a new hire, setting the stage for the main narrative.

Step 2

Develop the Inner Story

What is the main narrative? How will it unfold and tie back to the frame story?

Example: The inner story details the development of a groundbreaking software feature that the product manager was involved in.

Step 3

Integrate the Two Stories

How will you weave the inner story into the outer frame? What triggers the shift between the two?

Example: The new hire asks about the biggest challenges faced, prompting the product manager to recount the development story.

Step 4

Use Reflection and Commentary

How does the outer story comment on or add perspective to the inner story?

Example: After sharing the development story, the product manager reflects on how those challenges led to personal growth and better team dynamics.

Step 5

Conclude Both Stories

How will both stories resolve? Will the resolution of the inner story impact the outer story?

Example: The product manager concludes by tying the lessons from the inner story to the advice for succeeding in the company, offering a cohesive end to both narratives.

Creating a Prompt for AI Assistance

To develop a frame story with AI like ChatGPT, provide:

Outer Frame Context: Background of the frame story.
Inner Story Events: Key plot points of the main narrative.
Linkage Points: How the inner and outer stories connect.

In an office setting, [Character 1, the Product Manager] begins telling [Character 2, the New Hire] about [Event, e.g., a major product launch]. Focus on how [Specific Challenge] was addressed and reflect on [Lesson Learned] that could help the new hire.

Further Examples of Frame Stories in Software

Retrospective Company Meeting: The CEO of a tech startup opens a retrospective meeting by narrating the company’s journey from idea to market leader. As the meeting progresses, various team leaders share detailed stories of specific projects or challenges they overcame, each story highlighting a different phase of the company’s growth.
User Testimonial Compilation: A promotional video starts with the marketing director explaining the purpose of gathering user testimonials. The main content features different users recounting their experiences with the software, each from their unique perspective, and ends with the director summarizing how these stories reflect the company’s commitment to user-centered design.
Developer Conference Keynote: A keynote at a developer conference features a senior developer introducing a new software framework by first recounting a pivotal moment in software development history. The main presentation then delves into how their new framework addresses similar issues but with modern solutions, drawing parallels between past and present innovations.

Frame stories offer a dynamic way to present your product’s narrative, enriching the main tale with a broader context that enhances understanding and engagement. By carefully crafting both the frame and the inner story, and ensuring they complement each other, you can create a multifaceted narrative that captivates and educates your audience, ultimately fostering a deeper connection with your product.