Why Are Stories Vital in Your Speeches?

“The destiny of the world is determined less by the battles that are lost and won than by the stories it loves and believes in.” ~ Harold Goddard

WHY Tell Stories?

Recently, there have been many articles by sales and speech trainers about using stories to sell your message. As good as this advice is, it often falls short in one respect… the writers don’t always tell you why to tell stories.

Without a big enough ‘why’ you might not put in the necessary time and energy to learn how to use this valuable skill.

Stories are Our Ancient Link

Since the beginning of recorded history, people have told stories. Our ancetors sat around camp fires telling tales of the days hunt. Aesop’s fables were morality tales wrapped around memorable characters. Political and religious leaders have made their greatest impact through vignettes and parables.

If you are a parent, you are familiar with the phrase, “Daddy [or Mommy], read me a story!” I remember reading the same books over and over to my son when he was little, even though we both knew how the plot would unfold and the tale would end. He was usually just as excited after the fiftieth reading as he was after the first.

Knowing the outcome, why did he still want to hear the same tale?

In a larger sense, why are we all attracted to stories?

Stories and the Six Common Emotions

There are many reasons, and one of the most powerful is emotional connection.  World Champion Speaker David Brooks has noted that human beings share six basic emotions:

Happiness, Anger, Sadness, Disgust, Fear, and Surprise.

Without exception, every effective presentation I’ve heard taps into at least one of these emotions.  The first time you heard the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare, you were probably surprised at the outcome.

When reading ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ you most likely felt anger at the plight of Anne’s family, and surprise by the insight of a teenage girl who, despite her tragic circumstances, still concluded that, “I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are really good at heart.”

When you first saw the movie ‘Jaws’ you probably felt the fear of being in the ocean with the possibility of a Great White shark eating you for an afternoon or evening snack.

The Power of Stories That Aren’t True

Stories can be so powerful that even those that are not based in fact can become part of our culture.  These ‘urban legends’ can affect your behavior.

In their classic book ‘Made to Stick’, brothers Chip and Dan Heath discussed the phenomenon of the tainted Halloween candy myth. During the 1970s and 1980s, this story circulated so widely that it became ‘common knowledge’ that kids who went trick or treating were in danger of being poisoned from candy given out in their neighborhoods. Parents would inspect each piece of candy for evidence of tampering, apples would be checked for razor blades, and so on.

At one point, Halloween became a threat to enough families that the popularity of the holiday suffered, and many stopped participating in this American tradition.

There is an astounding fact about this myth… there was no truth to it.  After painstakingly researching this subject, the Heath brothers discovered that there was not one documented case of strangers poisoning candy and handing it to children on Halloween.

This urban legend circulated and become an accepted fact because it tapped into our fear and was told with simple, yet vivid pictures. The growth of this myth serves as a great lesson into the power of a well-told story, and its ability to change the way we think, feel or act.

The Ultimate Power of Stories

The power of story goes beyond tapping into six common emotions. The ultimate benefit of many stories is that they provide audiences with hope.  The Star Wars movies at their core are about redemption.  The Harry Potter saga is a tale of good defeating evil. The movie Titanic offers hope that love can conquer time and death itself.

You don’t have to be George Lucas, JK Rowling or James Cameron to impact lives. In a world that too often focuses on negativity, your life and experiences can provide the hope that others need.

Learn how to develop your own stories and deliver them in a dynamic style. Combine this skill with an understanding of why stories are important, and you’ll take your next step to becoming an impactful story teller.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

‘Storytelling Made Easy’ 

Harness The Power of Hollywood Storytelling Magic

Imagine if every time you gave a speech, made a sales presentation, or led a meeting, you could instantly motivate and inspire others to take action.

You can – by telling more powerful success stories.

Renowned Hollywood script consultant and story expert Michael Hauge offers you the secrets of Hollywood storytelling magic. By following his simple Six Step Success Story™ formula, you’ll be able to attract more clients and buyers by giving them their own emotional experience of success and achievement.

Read this book and you will:

=> Eliminate the fear, frustration, and overwhelmed feeling that can accompany the thought of writing or telling stories

=> Select the type of story best suited to your product or service  

=> Incorporate the six steps of every successful success story 

=> Easily develop a simple, entertaining, and persuasive writing style that is uniquely yours

=> Master the principles of great storytelling within a variety of arenas: speeches, sales pitches, company meetings, e-mails, videos, podcasts and testimonials

=> Deliver your message clearly, emotionally and powerful  

=> And more

With this groundbreaking new book, you’ll not only attract more clients and customers and multiply your revenue; you’ll move your audiences and readers toward more connected and fulfilling lives. To pick up your copy, click here