Last week I had the opportunity see Larry Smith speak. (You might know him as “The guy married to that lady from Orange is the New Black.”) What you may not know is that Larry is an accomplished storyteller and runs a project called Six Word Memoirs.

The premise is about simple as it gets: tell a story in six words.

Let’s be honest. People get overwhelmed in front of a blank page. (Even writers. Especially writers.) They panic in the face of pressure and shut down. Which is pretty much the opposite of telling their story.

As we are all aware, Stories have become the modern currency of marketing. Every box of cereal, every bottle of hand soap begging consumers to “share your story!” What seems like a little ask is really a big ask. What brands are really saying is start with nothing and give me everything.

But what if we started simple? What if we started with stories in six?

I threw the challenge out to a few people on our team. Here were the responses…

CHIPOTLE
Drove in a blizzard for you.
I know the guac is extra.
Fresh Food fast, but maybe e.coli.
Guacamole and lime chips are life

APPLE
It’s finally cool to be nerdy.
Robots are taking over the world.
Shiny toys. Fan boys. Just works.
You’ll even save the freakin’ box.
Where is the left click button?

TRADER JOES
The nicest people in the world.
Had me at “Try this wine.”
Trader Joes: definitely worth the parking.
Neighborhood grocery with wholesome, quality product.

WHOLE FOODS
More like my whole paycheck. #amirite
Hot dad hangout. Sale on kale.
It costs a whole lotta money.
Mom’s in yoga pants buying non-gmo.

PUBLIX
California: No idea what Publix is.
The name still makes me LOL.
Where shopping is a pleasure. DUH.
I’ll push my own cart, thanks.

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