Relevant and engaging stories can be a compelling part of your presentation – whether you are presenting at a board meeting or an industry conference or having a conversation at a networking event.
Here are 7 steps to follow to make your storytelling successful:
1. Pick a relevant story. Think about the story from the audience's point of view and make sure it relates to your message and the point of your presentation. An irrelevant story, no matter how funny or unusual, will only distract from your message.
2. Adapt the story to fit the audience. Customize the telling of the
story to your audience and the situation by adjusting the language you use, the
details you include and the time you take to tell it. Your goal is to ensure that it will pass the
audience's WIIFM test, "what's in it for me?"
3. Make the point clear. The purpose of the story should be explicit
and relevant to the message of your presentation. Even if you think the connection to your
point is obvious, restate it just to be sure that the audience understands it.
4. Keep it short. One of the most memorable and
effective stories that I've heard in a presentation was at a networking meeting
when a man introduced himself by saying: "I'm a carpenter and because of
my work, a disabled veteran who uses a wheelchair is no longer a prisoner in
his home because we built him a ramp."
5. Practice telling the story. Once you've decided which elements and
details you will include to make it relevant and memorable for the audience,
practice your delivery and body language so you can make the story as focused
and powerful as possible without taking too much time. Practice doesn't mean you have to memorize
the story; instead, your goal is to get comfortable enough with the story that
you can communicate it effectively and have it convey your point – without
having to use the exact same words.
6. Be prepared for any reaction. Consider the best and worst
reactions that your story could get from the audience and be ready to handle
both. One of my clients once told a
story during a speech and the audience laughed unexpectedly at one part; she
wasn't prepared for that and so, "stepped on" the laughter by
continuing right on with the rest of the story.
7. Cue the audience that a story is coming. Use your voice, body language and words to
prepare the audience for your story.
Think of the classic "once upon a time" introduction often
used with children's stories. For
adults, you might pause, make your voice softer to capture their attention and
lean forward into the audience as you begin your story.
Following
these steps will help you use stories effectively to convey your message and
connect with your audience.
(C) Gilda Bonanno