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Give your audience moments through storytelling

Are you tired of hearing your friends tell stories that have everyone laughing and talking about long after it was originally told? Or want to be able to have your presentation audience be telling your stories long after the event? Storytelling can be incredibly powerful if done right.

But when it is done wrong, you leave friends bored, and your presentation audience checking their watches for an early exit. Part of telling a good story is about timing. Not just when you deliver what moment in the story, but the time in the interaction. Stories grab attention, but they often fail when you have lost attention or people are thinking about what happens after you have finished.

Humans resonate with stories because they combine your message with every day experiences they can relate to. Stories should be structured like a movie, but should never be a movie - both in length and believability.

Telling compelling stories is what makes your message evergreen – something that sticks around long after the event. People love it when you tell a story. You take it to the next level when you can tell their story. This is how you unleash the power of storytelling.

Open with a story

The peak of interest is right at the start of the interaction. That means there is never a better time to tell a story. If you show them you can tell a good story they will listen for the next one throughout, and remember your first story well.

Most presentations open poorly. It begins with an agenda, warning people what is coming. Doing this is boring and warns the audience that you have no intention of keeping their attention throughout. Instead you should keep an element of surprise, and you can use a different approach.

Open with a story related to the topic of your presentation. Something that is easy to relate to. If you can capture the attention of your audience straight away you will be off to a good start.

It’s not a movie

You might think a story has to be extraordinary. It’s how the movies usually play out. But the funny thing is, they are not always easy to relate to, meaning people can’t see themselves in your story, and this should always be your aim.

The good thing is that everyone has similar experiences most days, and usually they are ordinary. Ordinary makes for the best stories because you are telling the audience their story - they can see themselves in it and relate to what you are saying.

When you tell the audience their story they feel like you understand them, like you are a relatable speaker and just like them. This is what you should go for. Use every day moments that people can connect with easily and your ordinary story will achieve extraordinary connection with your audience.

Inspire action that lasts a lifetime

Every presentation should end with a call to action. If that can be accompanied by a story, you really have got something powerful. Talk about the change you have made, or a journey you have gone through to get from A to B, including actionable items.

When listening to stories, what resonates is transformations, struggles and overcoming challenges. It's the inspiration that you have done it so maybe your audience members can too. This is how you take a presentation from one that lasts an hour to an impact that lasts a lifetime. Give people some actionable items and a clear call to action with your journey or experience at the heart of it.

The memorable story you give them combined with actions they can take lead to moments they remember. First the story that initiates their transformation, and second you as the person who influenced the change. That is true impact, and it comes when you unleash the power of storytelling.

Actionable takeaways

• Stop opening presentations with an agenda. Instead tell a story that is relevant to what you have to say.

• Craft your stories based on every day moments, not extraordinary ones. People relate to stories where they can see themselves in it.

• Talk about a change, transformation or a journey you have been on. Combine this with your call to action and you might just inspire the audience to take that first necessary step on their journey.

That's all for today!

As always feel free to reply to this email or reach out @liamsandford as I would love to hear your feedback.

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Liam Sandford

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