“YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO ME!”

Did you want to hear what happened next? Did I grab your attention? If so, that’s the way to start a story!

You may not classify yourself as a “storyteller”… but YOU ARE! I’m sure you could talk for hours about some of your favorite experiences to your friends and family, and to transfer that gift to telling a story to an audience, all you need is to put some PASSION into your words so that you’ll attract wows instead of yawns.

If you’re the type that gets all excited when you tell about a funny or scary experience that happened in your personal life, then you just have to figure out how you can get that excitement into your voice during a professional presentation. I ALWAYS try to start my presentations with stories that relate to my topic…and that my audience can relate to.

Your mouth may do the work, but great stories really come from the heart. They’re not just about WHAT you’re telling … the best stories are elevated by HOW you’re telling them.

Here are a few ideas to help your stories hit home:

• Paint pictures with words to help listeners visualize your message
• Talk about facing adversity, battling struggles and fighting off negative self-fulfilling prophecies
• Share something personal that your audience can relate to
• Ask questions that inspire your listeners to dig deep within themselves
• Show empathy
• Appeal to the emotions we ALL feel: anger, fear, sadness, loneliness, happiness, and surprise

Whether your words are written in a document or spoken on video, you can reach out and touch someone…even when social distancing! Practice speaking front of a mirror and notice whether you smile or frown or use your hands — all of those expressions and gestures reach out and grab those who are listening.