Every great presentation revolves around storytelling. When you share a narrative, you create an emotional connection that captivates your audience’s attention and helps convey your message effectively.
The Value of Storytelling
Take, for example, the story of your own experiences or those of others, as it can significantly enhance your presentations. Here’s a structured approach inspired by common storytelling frameworks to help you share your message.
9 Steps to Crafting Your Story
Set the Scene:
Begin by establishing the context of your story. Explain who, what, when, and where, so your audience can visualise the scenario.
Introduce the Characters:
Identify the key players in your story to give it a personal touch. Your audience should feel connected to the people involved.
Begin the Journey:
Outline the initial situation or challenge your characters face. This captures the audience’s interest and sets the stage for conflict.
Encounter the Obstacle:
Describe the adversity or challenges your characters encounter. This is where the tension builds and engages your audience further.
Overcome the Obstacle:
Share how the characters find solutions to the challenges they face. This is the turning point of your story.
Resolve the Story:
Wrap up your narrative with a resolution that reflects how things have changed or been affected by the journey.
Make the Point:
Highlight the central message or lesson of your story, ensuring it is clear to your audience.
Ask “The Question”:
Encourage your audience to reflect on their own experiences. Pose thought-provoking questions related to your message.
Repeat the Point:
Reinforce the key message as you conclude, ensuring it resonates well with your audience.
Crafting Your Narrative
As you think about your story, consider drawing from diverse experiences:
– Childhood lessons
– Customer conversations
– Travel challenges
– Personal and professional relationships
– Significant challenges and successes
Your role as a presenter is to find the most compelling stories that illustrate your point in a colorful and captivating way.
The Power of Connection
By applying these 9 steps, you not only tell a story, but also create an engaging presentation that connects with your audience on an emotional level. This connection is crucial for inspiring your audience and sharing meaningful insights
If you are presenting soon and need a little help with storytelling:
– Book yourself onto a powerful public speaking course.
– Invest in some really good one to one public speaking coaching.
– Get yourself some excellent presentation training
Image: Courtesy of Canva.com
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