CIG Training and the Power of Storytelling
We believe in the power of being lifelong learners because every new skill that is developed and every person you meet adds another layer to the skillset that allows you to serve your clients better.
Last week, we traveled to Savannah, Georgia, to take the Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) course offered by the National Association for Interpretation. This course is designed for historians, anthropologists, tour guides, storytellers, or anyone in a career field that aims to explore places, ideas, and culture in a way that has a lasting impact.
The CIG program teaches that interpretation is POETRY: Purposeful, Organized, Enjoyable, Thematic, Relevant, and You. While we expected to learn how to lead better tours and engage audiences, we left with something greater: the renewed appreciation for lifelong learning and a deeper understanding of the power of storytelling.
The CIG course challenged us to think differently about communication. Interpretive guiding is more than giving people information. It’s about helping people make meaningful connections. Facts by themselves rarely inspire action; stories make that happen. Research shows that visitors may forget much of the supportive factual information obtained through a commentary, yet still internalize a deep, overriding notion of the importance of it all.
Throughout the week, we explored techniques and methods for turning history, science, and culture into experiences that people can relate to personally. Our instructor, Erica Veal, emphasized that great interpreters don’t just teach, they spark curiosity, evoke emotion, and create moments that stay with people long after the experience is over.
At The Simmons Agency, we know that the best marketing doesn’t begin with products or services; it begins with people and their stories. Every business has a story. Every nonprofit has a mission. Those stories create trust, inspire action, and build lasting relationships.
As we walked the historic streets of Savannah, I couldn’t help but be reminded that countless stories are waiting to be told. From the medicinal properties of the Spanish Moss hanging from the trees, to the plant called Life Everlasting growing out of the earth, our instructor told us the stories of our ancestors’ ability to heal themselves directly from nature. That story stayed with me as we continued with our training.
That is the power of storytelling through the CIG method, and that is the approach that we are committed to at The Simmons Agency. Whether we’re creating content for a nonprofit, developing a marketing campaign, or helping a community leader clarify their message, our goal is always the same: tell stories that connect.
To learn more about how we can help you tell impactful stories, connect with us via email info@the-simmons-agency.com.
-Ron
