From a terrific list of 250 Things To Improve Your Presentations at Siam English come several items related to storytelling:
- Tell a story, make a point.
- Tell another story, make another point.
- Create a story bank. Each time something interesting happens — big or small — write it down. You never know where you can use it.
- Quoting someone you know gives you the opportunity to tell a story about how the quote came about. Twice the fun for your audience!
- A powerful story has four elements — it makes you think, makes you feel, makes you laugh and most importantly, it delivers a message that can change your life.
- What’s one story that only YOU can tell? Spend time creating that signature story.
- Tell half a story and the proceed with your main message. Make sure your message ties in well with that story and don’t forget to tell the rest of your story at the end of your speech. You won’t want to leave your audience high and dry, will you?
- Tell them enough to whet their appetite but do not reveal the big secret yet. Here’s one you can try: Tell them a story of how a man from the streets became rich and famous overnight without giving them the specifics.
- Smile. Smile when you are walking up to the stage. Smile when you make a mistake. Smile when your audience laughs at your story.
- One story per point. The story doesn’t have to be long. Just make sure it underscores your point.
- Variety keeps your audience on their toes. Find different ways to deliver your content. It could be a story, a videoclip, a demonstration, a pair share, an activity, a guest share, quotes, numbers, graphs, visuals, and the list goes on.
- Stories are only an asset to your speech if you bring your audience into your story through a “U”-centric question. For example, “Have YOU ever stepped on a scale and were forced to face reality?” And then you proceed with your story.
- The above is much better than telling your audience blatantly that you have a story to tell. Also avoid: “Oh, and this remind me of a story…” Equally lame.