5 dead simple steps to becoming a great storyteller

People don’t remember what you say, but they will remember how you made them feel. This is the power of being a great storyteller.

Build connection, land messages with your audience, build success… all great reasons to become a great storyteller. Most overlook the skill. Will you?

How to become a great storyteller

When you tell a story you feel like you should include every detail, but that is not the case. Your audience needs the defining moments, not every moment. Use these 5 techniques to improve your ability to tell compelling stories:

1. Open by triggering an emotion

Before you know it, your audience is already in your story. Make them feel:

• ‘That is so funny’

• ‘That is amazing’

• ‘That is crazy’

• ‘Finally, someone said what I feel’

• ‘That is great news’

These emotions will help the audience remember your message, because they will remember the way you made them feel with your story. Know which emotion you are trying to evoke — being intentional is important.

2. Keep the story moving

Everything you say should move the story onto its next step. You are playing the game of capturing people’s attention.

If you are long winded or including every detail in the story, you will lose the audiences attention.

If it does not add value, it does not need to be said.

3. Keep it simple

We often try to be clever by overcomplicating our words. This is unhelpful to those listening and reading your stories. Ensure what you say can be understood by everyone.

Lose jargon. Lose technical language. Simple is always better.

4. Talk about the change

People love to hear about a journey, or a change in circumstance. Include these details:

• What did you learn?

• What was the defining moment?

• What was the outcome?

• How did you feel at each stage?

Even if the audience have not experienced the setting of your story they will resonate with these pieces.

5. Practice being a storyteller

Even if you have told the story before, your audience is hearing it for the first time.

If you are speaking, watch the audience and learn which parts of your story light them up.

If you are writing, identify in your engagement the bits that capture people’s attention. This is what works.

Practice your stories often, and refine them each time you tell them. This will get you to a point of being known as a great storyteller.