We are all storytellers. Whether one-on-one or on stage—storytelling is how we relate, encourage, and drive action. However, communicating well through stories is a skill that can be improved on. Storytelling: If you come as a pro speaker or a butt introvert, storytelling can change your world.
On the Journey to Finding Your Voice: Authentic vs. Passion
Authenticity is a key element of effective storytelling. Highlight your own stories and share your values and passions. Once you start to speak from your heart, your words will have much more meaning and your audience will relate to you even on a better level.
How to stay on track: Review your structure and keep it flowing
A good story has a start, a middle, and an end. It introduces characters, develops the setting, escalates tension and resolves conflict. Employ narrative devices such as foreshadowing, suspense and humor to keep the audience engaged.
You Have Imagery — Create Paintings With Words
Describe your words with colourful metaphors and sensory details. Use sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures to bring your story to life.
Interactivity and Engagement – Interacting with your audience
Use gestures, make eye contact and modulate your voice to keep your audience interested. Encourage sharing, ask questions, give listeners a sense of shared experience.
Finding Success in Realness: The Goodness in Not Being Perfect
Show them your vulnerability and that you’re not perfect. If you are sharing struggles and challenges, it makes your story relatable and more human.
After all, practice makes perfect.
To become a great storyteller is not an inborn ability, but skill that must be practiced over time. Share your stories as often as you can — with friends, family, colleagues, etc. If not, join a public speaking group, take a storytelling class, or just practice in front of a mirror.
New Opportunities and New Platforms: Storytelling in the Digital Age
Technology has created new platforms and new opportunities for storytelling. Use blogs, podcasts, videos, or even social media to share your stories. Some of these platforms even have mobile apps such as a bet mobile so you can digest and share stories whenever and wherever you want.
Wrapping Up
One way we influence and use impact is through storytelling. It has the power to teach, motivate, inspire and even heal. However, you need not tell anyone that you can change the world through stories.
Call on your storytelling abilities and set forth with your words. Tell us your story, meet people, and make a difference.
