Shortcuts To Immediately Increase Your Storytelling Influence

ย 
When you implement these 3 proven pillars, youโ€™ll be able to create high impact stories that persuade people to take action.
ย 
Pay close attention to my favorite, Pillar #2.
ย 
Letโ€™s dive in:
ย 

High Impact Pillar #1: Get Emotional

ย 
Why would you want to get emotional in your story?
ย 
Thereโ€™s an adage in the professional speaking world:
ย 
Get โ€˜em laughnโ€™ one minute and cryinโ€™ in the next.
ย 
Although itโ€™s OK to laugh and shed a few tears, what if you’re someone who rarely cries?
ย 
I never have been. Early in my speaking career, I believed I couldnโ€™t succeed as a speaker because of this.
ย 
Fortunately, I had a terrific coach at that time and he corrected my inaccurate belief. He taught me that there are more emotions than happiness and sadness.
ย 
There are six common emotions we share:
ย 
Happiness
Anger
Sadness
Surprise
Disgust
Fear
ย 
Include one or a combination of two or more of these emotions.
ย 
This creates the โ€œhookโ€ that causes people to set down their phones, lean in, and listen to your narrative.
ย 

Implementation idea:

Include at least one of the six common emotions in your narrative.
ย 

High Impact Pillar #2: Beware of Your Knowledge

ย 
How could your knowledge hurt the impact of a story?
ย 
The Curse of Knowledge
ย 
In their classic book Made To Stick, authors Chip and Dan Heath describe this concept. It can be a leading cause of miscommunication. As they explain it:
ย 
โ€œOnce we know something, we find it hard to imagine what it was like not to know it. Itโ€™s difficult to share our knowledge with others, because we canโ€™t readily re-create our listeners state of mind.โ€
ย 
Itโ€™s impossible to un-know what you know. This can make it difficult to communicate your knowledge with others. To get your ideas across, present your ideas from their perspective.
ย 

Implementation idea:

Use stories and metaphors to create concrete examples of your ideas. This gives the listener a clear picture of the idea you wan to convey.
ย 

High Impact Pillar #3: Donโ€™t Stuff Your Audience

ย 
What does it mean to avoid stuffing your audience, or as I like to call it, The Lunch Buffet Effect?
ย 
Think about buffet restaurants. Pre-pandemic, these were popular places to grab a meal.
ย 
If youโ€™ve ever been to one of these, you know how easy it is to grab a plate, and have access to a multitude of foodstuffs.
ย 
Itโ€™s also easy to have this thought halfway through eating your meal:
ย 
“$14.99 is a lot of money to pay for one plate of food. Iโ€™m going back for moreโ€ฆ”
ย 
Three plates and three desserts later, what condition are you in?
ย 
Overstuffed. Bloated. Ready for a nap.
ย 
Now think about an information-packed presentation youโ€™ve heard. After an hour or two of an ongoing stream of ideas, how do you feel?
ย 
Overstuffed. Bloated. Ready for a nap.
ย 
How does that make you feel?
ย 
Have you ever presented a talk that left your audience feeling overstuffed?
ย 
I have. Many times early in my career. I regret the pain I inflicted on those audiences.
ย 
Contrary to popular belief, audiences today donโ€™t want more information. They can get that on their mobile devices faster than you can deliver it.
ย 
What they want is your experience and perspective on your topic. You are fresh take might be the breakthrough they need.
ย 
They donโ€™t want long and drawn-out narratives. Clear and concise is what most appeals to them
ย 

Implementation idea:

For every 10 minutes of speaking time, share one supporting point. This provides enough to give your listeners what they need without overstuffing them.
ย 

Bonus Pillar: Open With A BANG

ย 
How do you open with a BANG?
ย 
Think about the way most speakers begin their speeches:
ย 
โ€œThank you. Itโ€™s great to be here.โ€
ย 
โ€œWow. What a great introduction!โ€
ย 
โ€œHello. Iโ€™m <fill in your name here>.โ€
ย 
Why should you never open your story like these examples?
ย 
They’re dull, boring, and make you sound like everyone else.
ย 
Depending on which study you read, you have 7 to 30 seconds to grab audience attention. Create curiosity, and keep their interest. Don’t do this and you create the thought, โ€œSounds like everyone else.โ€
ย 
If you want to grab your audience attention and immediately stand out, open in a unique manner.
ย 

Implementation idea:

Begin your story with a quote, startling statement, or question. Or jump into the first words of your narrative.
ย 
Be sure your opening is relevant to and sets up your foundational concept. Beginning with words that don’t set up your main topic will leave the audience confused.
ย 
Implement these proven pillars of High Impact Storytelling. Youโ€™ll earn audience trust and attention. You’ll become a more confident and impactful presenter.
ย 

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

ย 
Become three times more effective as a storyteller. Pick up more storytelling insights with our weekly 52 Storytelling Insights.
ย 
Each week you receive an audio insight in your email inbox. Every tip builds on previous ones. Within one year, you’ll have high level insights so that you can become a more impactful story teller.
ย 
You’ll have proven tools and processes to create meaningful and memorable stories.
ย 
To register (no cost and no obligation), Click Here.
3 Proven Pillars Of High Impact Stories ultima modifica: 2022-10-08T11:55:38-04:00 da Michael Davis