Secret TikTok / Social Media Storytelling Trick

Do you feel like you have stories to share, and when you share them, the response you get isn’t what you were hoping?

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an easy way for you to make your stories more engaging on TikTok, Instagram, Youtube, and other social media platforms?

This storytelling trick will make your ordinary TikTok stories extraordinary.

The best part is? It’s incredibly simple and straightforward to implement in your content.

This type of storytelling is referred to as “But, So, Therefore” or “But, So, Because” storytelling.

The way most people and creators tell stories is in this style:

• This happened

• Then this happened

• And then this happened

For example, I was at home and got bored. Then I went outside and it started raining. Then I couldn’t find an umbrella and I went back home.

It’s a story, but it’s not very interesting.

The but-so framework looks like this:

• This happened

• But then this happened

• So this happened

• Therefore this happened

Here’s an example of the same story but in the “But, So, Therefore” storytelling framework:

“I was at home, but I got bored, so I went outside, but it started raining, so I looked around for an umbrella, but I couldn’t find one, therefore I ended up going back home.”

As you can see, this subtle difference makes the story more interesting because you’re wondering BUT what?! It creates this up-and-down, conflict-to-resolution-conflict-to-resolution flow throughout the story that keeps the listener or viewer engaged.

Here’s a more detailed overview of the framework

This framework was popularized by the Pixar Animation Studios, which is known for producing some of the most successful and beloved animated movies of all time, such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and more.

The “But, So, Therefore” framework is based on the idea that every good story has three essential elements: a setup, a conflict, and a resolution. These elements can be expressed in one sentence using the words “but”, “so”, and “therefore”. For example:

• I wanted to go to the beach, but it started raining, so I decided to stay home and watch a movie, therefore I discovered a new genre that I love.

• She was the best student in her class, but she failed the final exam, so she had to retake the course, therefore she learned a valuable lesson about perseverance.

• He was afraid of heights, but he had to face his fear to save his friend, so he climbed to the top of the building, therefore he overcame his phobia and became a hero.

The “But, So, Therefore” framework helps you create a clear and logical structure for your story, as well as a strong emotional arc. It also helps you avoid common storytelling mistakes, such as being too vague, boring, or confusing. By using this framework, you can make sure that your story has a clear beginning, middle, and end, and that it has a purpose and a message.

How to Use the “But, So, Therefore” Framework for Your Social Media TikTok Content

The “But, So, Therefore” framework can be applied to any type of story, whether it is personal, fictional, educational, inspirational, or humorous. You can use it to tell stories about yourself, your brand, your products, your customers, your niche, or anything else that is relevant to your content and your audience.

Here are some tips on how to use the “But, So, Therefore” framework for your social media content:

• Start with a hook. The first part of your story should grab your viewers’ attention and make them curious about what will happen next. You can use a question, a statement, a fact, a quote, a statistic, or anything else that sparks interest. For example:

  • Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a professional dancer?

  • I have a confession to make: I used to hate reading.

  • Did you know that 90% of people don’t drink enough water?

• Introduce the setup. The setup is where you introduce the main character, the setting, and the goal of your story. You can use the word “but” to indicate the problem or the challenge that the character faces. For example:

  • I’ve always loved dancing, but I never had the chance to pursue it as a career.

  • I used to hate reading, but then I discovered a book that changed my life.

  • 90% of people don’t drink enough water, but there is a simple way to fix that.

• Explain the conflict. The conflict is where you show how the character tries to overcome the problem or the challenge, and what obstacles or complications they encounter along the way. You can use the word “so” to indicate the actions or the consequences that the character faces. For example:

  • I never had the chance to pursue dancing as a career, so I decided to take a leap of faith and audition for a dance show.

  • I discovered a book that changed my life, so I started reading more and more books every day.

  • There is a simple way to fix the water problem, so I created a product that helps you track your hydration levels.

• Reveal the resolution. The resolution is where you show how the character resolves the problem or the challenge, and what outcome or lesson they achieve. You can use the word “therefore” to indicate the result or the takeaway of your story. For example:

  • I auditioned for a dance show, therefore I got the opportunity to fulfill my dream and perform on stage.

  • I started reading more and more books every day, therefore I became a better writer, thinker, and learner.

  • I created a product that helps you track your hydration levels, therefore I helped thousands of people improve their health and wellness.

• End with a call to action. The last part of your story should invite your viewers to take action, whether it is to like, comment, share, follow, subscribe, buy, or anything else that you want them to do. You can also use this part to ask a question, give a tip, offer a discount, or provide a link to your website or other social media platforms. For example:

  • If you want to see more of my dance videos, make sure to follow me on TikTok and Instagram. And if you have any questions about dancing, feel free to ask me in the comments. Thanks for watching!

  • If you want to know what book changed my life, check out the link in my bio. And if you have any book recommendations for me, please let me know in the comments. I’m always looking for new books to read. Thanks for reading!

  • If you want to try my product and see how it can help you drink more water, go to my website and use the code WATER10 to get 10% off your first order. And if you have any feedback or testimonials for me, please send me a message or leave a review. I’d love to hear from you. Thanks for listening!

One craetor that does this really-really well is Jenny Hoyos

If you watch Jenny’s TikToks, Instagram Reels, Or YouTube Shorts you’ll notice she uses the but-so framework in almost all of them. Here are some examples, notice when she says BUT and SO and how this conflict to resolution, conflict to resolution, flow keeps you engaged:

1. Example 1

2. Example 2

3. Example 3

The “But, So, Therefore” framework is a simple and effective way to tell better stories for TikTok and other social media platforms. By using this framework, you can create content that is clear, compelling, and memorable, and that resonates with your audience. Try it out for yourself and see how it can improve your storytelling skills and your TikTok or other social media presence.

The next time you’re thinking of posting a story to TikTok, Instagram, or another platform, try scripting out your story and putting it into the “But, So, Therefore” storytelling framework to make it more engaging.

Let me know if you have any questions, and if you do start using this framework on TikTok or your other socials, send over the links, I’d love to watch your now MORE engaging videos 😉 Happy storytelling!

Cheers,

Chris