There is nothing like a good story to get us in the listening mood. A story so good it can settle down a noisy room, quieten the hearts of the busy and capture the attention of the restless. And, How To Tell A Really Good Story is something we can all learn to do.
-Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world -Robert McKee
We connect through our stories and we learn to understand each other through sharing them. Humans have always communicated by using story to educate and stimulate each other.
Remember how you would cajole your parents to tell you a story before sleeping? Do you remember how sharing experiences encouraged you to try new things in your life as a young adult? And now, how we love to listen to the stories of others to educate and entertain ourselves?
And, never has there been a better time to get on up on that stage and actually make some money telling your stories.
Marketing is no longer about the stuff that you make but about the stories that you tell – Seth Godin
Telling and sharing our stories are an important area of our marketing as Seth Godin reminds us, but how much of it, and where to place it is equally of importance. In public speaking, our personal stories pepper our talks. They add spice and reveal connection. They are used to illustrate a point, to back up our opinion and point of view. Our story is there to show our personality and to add to our performance. Our stories communicate our character and display our charisma.
Story telling is one of the most powerful ways to express our ideas but how we craft and shape them is the essence of its success.
Sometimes, expressing your story out into the world is hard. Finding a way to autograph your experiences pushes you to acknowledge and announce parts of your life, that may not always come naturally. In the end, it does show you How To Tell A Really Good Story.
I remember the first time I added a personal story to a speech I did. I was terrified! And, I thought they wouldn’t like it and worse still wouldn’t like me. I thought the roof would cave in. Of course, none of these things happened. In fact, it created an amazing connection with my audience. Later, people from the audience came up to me asking questions and wanting to know more about me and my work!
In the beginning, it takes a spoonful or two of courage. It means crafting your story in a heartfelt but attractive way. It means knowing what to divulge and want not to explain. And, sometimes it means getting help, asking for guidance and investing in a good writing mentor to keep you on track so you learn How To Tell A Really Good Story.
Look for guidance and advice, get yourself some accountability and always have fun when creating your speeches and stories.
Look forward to hearing and seeing your really good story somewhere soon.
I love this quote – In the end we all become stories – from Margaret Atwood. We all create stories whether we write, paint or sculpt. We are really living in our and other’s stories. No matter if we are looking to the past (remembering) or the future (planning, dreaming) everything has a story shape. Being in the present fully, teaches us the stories. A good story never gets old. Thank you for this blog, to rediscover the importance of our stories.
Love that idea that a good story never gets old!
Good post, thank you. It must be a common thread/trait in human’s needs to be told or read a story. My mother and I chatted all the time, throughout our loving relationship and I’m sure she read me many tales when very young. As World War 11 blighted part of my childhood and I was separated from my parents during three periods of evacuation, I found great comfort and entertainment in reading for myself. Curling up with a good book was always a joy. Throughout many years, books were my friends and when I realised I could write them myself, albeit not quite as good as the masters…I found books and stories counted for more than diamonds. Diamonds might sparkle but they are hard and not giving….
Yes Joy – Diamonds might sparkle but they are hard and not giving…. and a story gives so much!