Storytelling made simple

Storytelling made simple

When you speak you build several points around one big idea. These points are then brought to life using stories (right brain) and case studies (left brain). For those who are across my Pink Sheet Methodology, you will note that these are the two primary tools of Content. 

Case studies are factual, with real people, names, numbers statistics and results. The key to a case study is to treat it like an anecdote in structure. 

Anecdote Formula for Case Studies

1. Incident - this is what happened
2. Point - this is what you can conclude from that 
3. Benefit - this lets us achieve X or Y

Stories are emotional and appeal to our senses, there are characters, tensions, hopes and dreams that all get exposed on a roller coaster journey. Joseph Campbell's storyline is a great formula, Nancy Duarte also brings this into the 21st century with her Resonance Book and Ted talk. 

Simple story stages for speech storytelling

1. Set the scene
2. Introduce complication
3. Build relationships through characters
4. Resolve the complication
5. Come out on top

I’d add, the telling of stories needs to be beneficial for the audience, not simply therapy on stage. To ensure this you might want to share stories that are historical, or based on heroes you admire. When you do share a self-centered story, be sure to make you the but of the joke and come from a ‘can you believe how silly I was' frame of reference.

In a future post I’ll share how info graphics are the key to great integrated left brain/right brain content delivery. 

M@

P.S. Come along to my next 4 day speakership training program, it's full of great practical advice on how to take your public speaking to the next level.