How to Control the Narrative When Building a Movement: A Power Playbook
Power isn’t about who’s louder, who gets the last word, or who fills the feed. It’s about who gets to set the terms of the conversation, who decides what’s worth our attention. Think about that: not just making noise, but defining the whole game. If you’re serious about building something that can’t just be scrolled past, it’s time to master the art of shaping the narrative.
The thing about a movement—one that actually sticks, anyway—is that it lives and dies by the story it tells. We’re not talking about a string of catchy slogans or a one-time viral post. We’re talking about a narrative that gets into people’s heads, so they can’t quite shake it, even when they want to. It’s the difference between a flash-in-the-pan and something that haunts a little, lingers in the back of the mind.
Here’s how you get there:
Listen Before You Lead Picture this: a meeting where everyone talks but nobody listens. Painful, right? Yet, that’s how a lot of movements start—assuming they already know what people care about. So, stop and listen to what’s already resonating out there. Tune in to what people are actually saying, and then start shaping your message.
Lead with Vision, Not Fear Sure, fear works in the short term, but all it really does is make people dread your next update. Instead, give them a vision—a little bit of hope, something they can buy into, like a future they wouldn’t mind signing up for. People stick around when they think there’s a chance they’ll get to see the promised land, not just the abyss.
Choose Focus Over Noise Here’s a tip: you don’t need to respond to every troll. Engaging every critic only drags you down. Keep your eyes on the prize, and let the rest fade into the background. Stay on message like it’s the only thing keeping you alive.
Build a Collective Voice Movements need a choir, not a soloist. Bring in voices from all over—the people who live it, breathe it, care about it. When you’ve got a chorus singing the same tune, it becomes impossible to ignore. That’s when you get traction.
Show the Bigger Picture Look, people want to believe that they’re not just in this for the next three months but that there’s a bigger arc to follow. Give them a vision that stretches beyond today’s headlines. Show them how their small actions today stack up to something monumental tomorrow.
Bottom Line: Define the Story, Define the Power
Controlling the narrative means you get to call the shots on what matters. So set the terms. Shape the story. Tell it with the kind of conviction that makes it unforgettable.
If you’re ready to stop just making noise and start defining the conversation, let’s talk. Sign up for my newsletter for insights, a dose of wit, and real steps to turn your cause into the story everyone can’t stop talking about. Or, if you’re serious about making your movement unstoppable, book a Fit Call.
