This is the 4th and final issue for the month of April, and I wanted to end it on a high. So, when I thought of analyzing some of my favorite creator's posts, Sadiya was a no-brainer.

Who is Sadiya Mulla?

I met Sadiya when I was still lost in my LinkedIn journey. Trying to find my footing, I kept pivoting from one hot topic to another, chasing the wrong measures of success.

While it took time to correct course, meeting Sadiya accelerated the journey. The storyteller that you see hesitantly embracing and writing about their journey is credited to her words on our monthly calls.

She is brilliant and sharply focused on her LinkedIn game, with writing being a pivotal cornerstone of her success. And the following post will give you a glimpse of it all. To not miss any of her insights, go follow her on LinkedIn.

So, with her blessings, we begin.

The Post

The Analysis

Frameworks in play

This post masterfully weaves together two potent storytelling structures:

Hero's Journey

• Ordinary World/Call to Adventure: "I learned 6 languages in my lifetime, I only know 3 now..." and "We never become who we want to be." This sets up the familiar world and acknowledges a shortcoming or desire for change.

• Discovery/Transformation: "This is the rule of familiarity. What you do every day is what you become one day." This is the key realization that drives the author’s transformation.

• Resolution/New Status Quo: The final sections about exploiting the rule for business and the outcomes this leads to ("unbreakable," trusted authority, etc.) paint the picture of the protagonist (here Sadiya) now succeeding due to their new knowledge.

And/But/Therefore (ABT)

• AND (Problem): The opening lines about losing language skills. Also, the implied problem of business owners who aren't seeing the results they want.

• BUT (Consequence): "Whether I do it or don’t, I am the one who will lose. Or win." Emphasizes the stakes.

• THEREFORE (Solution): "I exploited this rule for my business." This segues into the list of benefits achieved as a direct result of consistent online presence and messaging.

ABT: A Deeper Dive 

The ABT framework, developed by Randy Olson, is rooted in narrative science. 

It's a persuasive structure due to its simplicity and focus on cause-and-effect consequences:

• AND: Sets up a situation or problem audiences can easily identify with.

• BUT: Introduces tension, raising questions about what will happen if the problem remains unsolved.

• THEREFORE: Provides the solution but goes beyond just stating it. It clearly outlines the positive outcomes, directly addressing the negative consequences from the OR stage.

Why ABT Works

• Familiar Structure: Our brains are hardwired to understand cause-and-effect relationships. This format feels natural and easy to process.

• Emotion over Logic: It subtly triggers an emotional response with the "OR" stage, where the stakes or potential losses are highlighted.

• Solution Focused: People crave solutions. ABT promises to resolve the problem or desire introduced, enhancing its persuasive power.

How This Post Leverages Both Frameworks

The combination of the simplified Hero's Journey and the ABT framework creates a potent narrative in this post. Here's why it works so well:

• Relatability + Action: The Hero's Journey arc establishes an emotional connection. The reader sees themselves in the author's struggle and desire for transformation, which makes them more receptive to the solution. The ABT structure then provides the logical blueprint for how to achieve the change the Hero's Journey promises.

• Internal + External Motivation: The Hero's Journey taps into an intrinsic desire for self-improvement. The ABT framework then amplifies that with external benefits (better sales, client trust) that likely resonate very strongly with business-focused readers.

• Clarity over Cleverness: Each framework on its own is simple to grasp. By layering them in this way, the post's message achieves greater depth without becoming overly complex.

Things to remember while working with multiple frameworks

• Choose complementary frameworks: The Hero's Journey and ABT both tap into the power of narrative in different ways. The Hero's Journey provides an emotionally compelling arc of transformation, while ABT's problem/solution focus helps readers see direct applications for the lesson learned. These frameworks reinforce each other rather than conflicting.

• One primary framework: While both frameworks are present, the Hero's Journey acts as the backbone of the post. The personal story of language learning and the 'rule of familiarity' insight sets the stage. The ABT elements are interwoven but serve the larger goal of establishing the author's expertise and demonstrating how to apply the lesson to business.

• Natural fit: The post doesn't feel artificially structured. The author's personal experience about languages unfolds naturally and illustrates the key point of practice leading to mastery. This authentic story makes the business advice feel like a genuine extension of that lived reality rather than a formula being forced upon it.

Word Choice: Impactful Precision

The words we choose have a profound impact on how our message lands. Opting for the right words means selecting those that carry the intended weight, evoke the desired emotion, and paint a clear picture for the reader. Here are a few examples of word choices that amplify the post's message:

• "Every day": This repetition reinforces the central concept that consistency is vital. A weaker phrasing like "often" or "regularly" wouldn't carry the same weight.

• "Exploited": A strong verb with a potentially negative connotation repurposed into a positive action. It suggests the author proactively leveraged a natural rule to their advantage. "Used" or "applied" would lack this sense of strategic intensity.

• "Unbreakable": An evocative term that embodies both business success and personal resilience. It drives home the transformative power of consistent action more vividly than a blander word like "successful" or "confident."

• "Lose. Or win": Stark, binary phrasing that leaves no room for ambiguity. It makes the consequences and potential rewards feel immediate and visceral. "Pros/cons" or "risks/benefits" wouldn't have this punchy effect.

The Central Metaphor: Bridging Concepts

A well-constructed metaphor can illuminate  complex ideas by drawing a comparison to something familiar. Done right, it sparks a deeper understanding and creates a memorable impression. The underlying metaphor is equating the retention of language skills directly with business acumen and success. Here's why this metaphor is effective:

• Universal Appeal: Nearly everyone understands the experience of either picking up a new skill or losing one through disuse. It's instantly relatable on a basic level.

• Emotional Resonance: There's often a hint of regret associated with forgotten skills. This taps into a subtle but potentially powerful emotion for the reader.

• Juxtaposition: Language learning is often seen as "soft," while business success is "hard." The metaphor bridges these domains to show that familiar principles of practice can yield tangible results in the entrepreneurial space.

That’s all, folks!

This week, take a look at your content and I bet you will see the storytelling in it. 

Sadiya unknowingly was already applying the concepts of storytelling to her writing, similar to the lot of us. 

This goes to show, storytelling is not a foreign concept that you need to learn. It’s very much part of how we see the world. 

All you need to do is recognize it and then frame it in words that make it relatable to your readers.

See you next Saturday. Cheers!