We're all stretched to keep money in the bank these days but is your organization taking the time to fill your story bank? Story banks are filled with stories and testimonials from people who praise and support your cause or organization. The actual bank is a place to archive the stories so that they are always accessible not only to you but to others you want to impress – donors, funders, members, and the media. Some ways to use these stories are to pitch them to reporters, post them on your website or use them in advertisements.

The first step to building a successful story bank is to fill it. You can actively recruit peoples’ stories, or when the opportunity presents itself, conduct an impromptu interview. Most importantly, the bank needs to be easily accessible, well organized and contain up to date information. If it’s not easy to use, you won’t use it. If you have a story bank, when someone asks for a story you simply look through it and find the perfect story for them. It will save you time because you will know what you already have.

Before you start depositing stories into your bank, you need to figure out what message your stories should tell. Families USA recommends several options. You can limit your focus to one specific area or you can highlight broader concerns. Once you select a direction, start talking to people. Ask members of your organization, board members, staff and other people that your organization interacts with to answers questions, these are going to become the stories you give to reporters.

Before you conduct an interview it’s a good idea to jot down some questions and topics that you want to cover in the interview. This can be an informal interview but the script ensures you cover all of the intended topics. Additionally, a script will create consistency if you have multiple staff members collecting interviews. In the interview, you want to collect basic contact information about the interviewee so you can find them again. You’ll keep these stories in your bank until it is time to use them. Before you can use them you need to get permission from the interviewee. Click here to see Families USA’s sample script for getting permission. Also, you want the contact information to be current so when you give this story to a reporter the reporter can easily get a hold of the person.

Your storage system can be simple. If you are strapped for cash or don’t want to build a complex storage system there are options. Some organizations have their IT departments build something small. Other people create folders on their computers and catalog the content using an Excel spreadsheet. This system is free.

Collecting stories can also be inexpensive. Start by using connections that you already have and go from there. Contact members, staffers, board members and other people that you regularly communicate with. Ask them to enter a story into your story bank or for suggestions of people that you can contact.

Network for Good examples’ of story collecting sites:

• FamiliesUSA
• Medicare Rights Center
• Barack Obama - Share Your Story About the Economic Crisis

People build their story banks in different ways. Organizations have mailed postcards or emails that include a URL to where the recipient can post their story online. Others have places on their websites for visitors to leave their stories. During Andy Goodman’s Network for Good training he said another alternative is to do something like The Literacy Volunteers of Tucson did, “(they) used SurveyMonkey to collect information about the quality of their services from volunteers, tutors and students. The survey included some open-ended questions and many respondents filled in these boxed with personal success stories.” There are many ways to collect stories, so be creative!

Remember, story banking doesn’t have to be part of a fundraising project. It can be a beneficial development tool but you can also use your stories to talk to reporters, pitch members or highlight an aspect of your organization that don’t get enough publicity. Once you set up your story bank it will always be there waiting for all the uses you can think of to promote your cause and organization. It’s a simple and inexpensive tool to give your cause or organization a human face.

For more information on story banking and visit these other sources.

· Storybanking: A Bank That Always Builds Interest

· The Art of Story Banking

· The Story Bank: Using Personal Stories as an Effective way to get your Message Out.

To see examples of successful story banks visit these sites.

· League of Women Voters

· Boston Youth Environmental Network

· American Cancer Society (video story bank)