By Sun Yi, creator of the Myth Sandwich
Answers from Sun Yi
Straight answers on storytelling, personal branding and content, in Sun's own words, with the videos where he explains each one.
What's the 1-second test for a carousel?The 1-second test means spending just one second on each slide as you swipe through a carousel. If you can get through the whole thing in 10…How can I be authentic without oversharing?You don't have to share your private life to be authentic. Share your opinions and point of view, and when you are vulnerable, point the fin…How to not use thought verbs?Don't say what you felt or thought. Show the scene instead. Thought verbs like 'felt', 'knew', 'believed' make your story vague and safe.…How do I "show, don't tell"?Show, don't tell means drawing a picture instead of describing a feeling. When you show a scene, the audience feels like they're right there…How do I start a story?Start every story with the time of day and location. That one rule fixes most problems and pulls readers into a real moment.…What is a Myth Sandwich?The Myth Sandwich is a 3-part structure: start with a common belief (the myth), give a real example that contradicts it, then land the truth…How do I find the 2 sides of my story?The 2 sides are the myth and the truth: what your audience believes that isn't the whole picture, and what you now know is real.…How do I find my niche?You can't find your niche by thinking about it. You find it by doing the work and letting other people tell you what you're known for.…What is Sun's Why?Sun says stop looking for your why, your why is simply to live life, and adding fake meaning on top of that makes you frozen and miserable.…What do I do when I feel stuck?When you feel stuck, keep working through it instead of waiting for inspiration or switching plans.…How do I find my why?Sun says stop trying to find your why, he wasted 10 years doing it and it made him miserable. Your why keeps changing, and that's okay.…What's Sun's life philosophy?Sun says he's probably the most nihilistic person you'll meet, but meaning comes from the people you love and what you do for them.…What is the meaning of life?Sun says he's probably the most nihilistic person you'll meet, but he believes meaning comes from the people you love and what you do for th…How do I write a story about the first time I started something?To write a story about the first time you started something, start with your personal story and use a fill-in-the-blank prompt to get your f…How do I get a big client?The trick to getting big clients is to go in through the side door, not the front door. Then do such great work that one good client leads t…How do I find a story to tell?You already have stories, you just need to go looking for them. Start by blocking out periods of your life and writing down every vivid memo…How do I write one line tweets?Start long, then keep cutting. Write your thought in a few sentences, then rewrite it shorter and shorter until you find the sharpest way to…How do I write a hook?Write the hook last. Get your message right first, then figure out how to package it so people stop scrolling.…How do I write sound bites?This is a cheat code for writing sound bites.…How to kill your darlings?Killing your darlings means removing everything unnecessary that doesn't support your story's one single lesson. Most of the stuff you don't…What is the "real" truth?The "real" truth is not just the opposite of the myth, it's the nuanced idea in between two clichés that makes people say "I never thought o…How do I find the "one" lesson in my story?When you start writing, you'll find many possible lessons. Your job is to drill down and pick just one to end on.…How do I make my story easy to read?Write at a 7th-grade level or below and read your story out loud to catch every place it gets stuck.…What are the biggest copywriting mistakes?Sun says the biggest copywriting mistakes are being clever instead of clear, writing like academia, and making copy hard to scan. Clarity al…How do I come up with myths and examples that people agree with?Start with a wrong belief your audience already holds right now. Then find an example so clear that if you asked 100 people, all 100 would a…How do you know if they really believe in the myth?To know if they really believe in the myth, ask if it's conscious or subconscious. A lot of people say one thing out loud but do the opposit…How do I find a specific moment in my story?Find the exact moment, not a summary. Sun says to ask: what, when, where, and who. That pins the story to a real, specific moment.…How do I draw a picture of the story for the reader?Draw a picture by showing the scene, not just telling what happened. Use dialogue, name your characters, and write in present tense so reade…How do I repeat key anchor phrases?Pick one anchor word or phrase and repeat it across your whole piece so readers know every time they see it, you're referring to the same id…How do I give the juicy details?Give the specific, uncomfortable image instead of vague feelings like 'I felt like a fraud.' The cringe-worthy detail is where the real stor…How to say the thing nobody is saying?Say the thing everyone is afraid to say, because almost every time you do, people find out everyone else was thinking it too.…How do I cut words from my story?Sun calls this 'Kill Your Darlings.' Every word that doesn't carry the story forward has to go. Narrow down to one lesson, then cut anything…How do I write for the web and social media?Write the way people read on their phones. Make them curious with a question, give them a breath with a pause, and change up how long your s…How do I know if my story is good?Run your story through four tests: transformation, relatability, show don't tell, and one story with one lesson.…How do I structure a personal story?A personal story has 3 parts: the old you, one five-second moment, and the new you.…What are the most common storytelling mistakes?Sun sees the same 5 mistakes a lot, and you'll probably make them too. That's okay.…Is a personal brand worth building?For most people, yes. Sun says everyone already has a personal brand, so the real question is whether you show it in public.…How do I turn a lesson into a story people remember?Don't pick the lesson first and force a story into it. Start with a real moment you remember, then figure out the lesson and boil it down to…
This answer comes from Sun Yi's Story Bank Library.
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