Lessons from the fall and rise of Notre Dame
Gary Bloomer | SHAKING THE TREE #180
This isn’t a trivilvaization of the fire of 2019 that destroyed much of Notre Dame: it’s an examination of connections.
The 2019 fire is a stark reminder of the fragility of our cultural heritage. Yet, amidst the devastation, a powerful content creation narrative emerged, offering valuable lessons for marketers and communicators.
1. The power of real-time storytelling:
The fire unfolded in real-time, captivating the world. News outlets, social media, and even citizen journalists documented the event live, creating a sense of shared experience and collective grief.
This highlights the importance of real-time engagement, especially in times of crisis.
2. The value of authentic emotion:
The fire evoked raw emotions: shock, sadness, and a profound sense of loss. The content that resonated most was that which reflected these emotions authentically.
From the heroic efforts of firefighters to the outpouring of global support, the narrative was driven by genuine human emotion.
3. The importance of long-term storytelling:
The fire wasn't just a single event; it became a story of resilience and hope. The reconstruction process, with its intricate details and challenges, has provided ongoing content.
The story of Notre Dame is a testament to the power of long-term storytelling and the value of building a narrative that evolves over time.
4. The role of visual storytelling:
The fire was a visual spectacle, and images and videos played a crucial role in capturing the world's attention.
From drone footage of the burning cathedral to time-lapse videos of the reconstruction, visuals have been instrumental in conveying the scale and impact of the event.
5. The power of community and collaboration:
The restoration of Notre Dame has been a global effort, with contributions from artisans, architects, and philanthropists worldwide.
This collaborative spirit has created a powerful narrative of unity and collective action.
Lessons for content creators:
Embrace real-time engagement.
Connect with people on an emotional level.
Build long-term narratives.
Leverage the power of visual storytelling.
Foster a sense of community.
The Notre Dame fire serves as a poignant reminder that powerful content is not just about data and algorithms; it's about connecting with human emotions, telling compelling stories, and building meaningful relationships with your audience.
As always, thanks for reading.
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P.S. Next time on Shaking the Tree … Why creativity matters
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Originally from the U.K., Gary Bloomer is a writer, branding advocate, marketing specialist, and an award-winning graphic designer.
His design work has been included in Creative Review (one of the UK’s largest design magazines). Since 2009, he has answered over 5,000 marketing and business questions in the Know-How Exchange of MarketingProfs.com, placing him among the top 3% of contributors. He lives in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.