Finding your own style where you feel comfortable comes with experience. Part I: The Setup ... Read >> The business storytelling of the future—storytelling that is successful and sustainable—must go deeper. This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham. “One of the main reasons we listen to stories is to create a deeper belief in ourselves,” says Sachs. Follow her on Twitter at @carolynohara1. Having zeroed in on what this audience wants and needs to hear, you can present it in their terms from the start. Think about adopting a spoken-word storytelling style. Naturally, he focused in the call on the data: projections, share price, movement in the market, industry trends, and stock prices the company was aiming for in the next quarter. Listen to the advice of others when developing your story. Get a production internship with a film studio to learn how the industry works. 4. Suddenly, your data is applicable to real people, in the real world, and your audience gets a glimpse of how you, the speaker, have been affected by your content. For instance, if you rehearse your story in front of a test audience of friends or family and they all have competing and contradictory ideas about what the story is about, you might want to revise the way you tell your story. But an extraordinary change had taken place in the industry in the past year. Too many people are calling things stories when they are not and you only get the benefits of storytelling when you tell a story. I'm founder and CEO of Patriot Software, LLC. View all articles by Steve Tobak on CBS MoneyWatch »Steve Tobak is a consultant and former high-tech senior executive. Start by telling short stories from your childhood, making each tale as descriptive as you can. StoryCorps is a podcast which attempts “to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world.”. For more tips on being a professional storyteller, including how to set up a business, keep reading! Single. "We were pleased with the outcome, which wasn't what we expected" is a bloodless version of "We couldn't believe what we were seeing. For the story to be memorable, to resonate with your audience, you have to make sure it delivers on what they came for, as we already discussed at length. Practical Advice for Any Storyteller Everyone has the ability to become a better storyteller. Sometimes it’s the really bad ones you learn a lot from.” Whatever the case, he says, the power comes from sharing your story with the people you lead so they better understand what motivates you. Contact Steve or follow him on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Once we were able to help our now-mutual client get his voice back, i.e., unleash the natural storyteller in him, he felt that he was on solid ground again. Then the CEO of ePrize, a Detroit-based interactive promotions company, Linkner had seen his company become the dominant leader in the online promotions industry almost overnight. Establish context right off the bat. Highlight a struggle A story without a challenge simply isn’t very interesting. Now let me tell you about a company that was facing an existential problem. How do they see various lines of dialogue being delivered? Focus on the conflicts and the struggles that led to success. It’s an essential skill, but what makes a compelling story in a business context? He could allow the negative attitudes of others to influence his behavior, or pursue professional goals because of the sense of personal accomplishment they offered. When Vince first began sharing this story with his leadership clients, he was taken aback by their reaction. Beyond some simple feedback and nurturing, consider getting real coaching from another storyteller. Another community of professional storytellers includes those who tell their stories with a guitar, drums, or other musical instrument. Use Humor (Including Everyday and Self-Deprecating). 6 Storytelling Tips to Tell a Great Business Story What was happening with my new client was a common occurrence in business. “I’ve seen the kind of climate and culture that a great leader can create,” he says. Take some accounting classes or enlist the services of a skilled accountant to ensure your home-based business conforms to the letter of the law. That’s exactly what makes it so powerful. Let me introduce you to a mind-numbing array of numbers, statistics, trends, ROI, agenda items, bullet points, graphs, formulas, etc., etc. For instance, if your story is about a person’s boring life, don’t just say that they walk home “alone, every single day.” Say instead that “They walked home. We help American Businesses and their Accountants with cloud-based Payroll and Accounting Software. A good brand can inspire trust between your business and customers, employees, and suppliers. We ran out of money, maxed out our credit cards, and borrowed from relatives. But you're better off asking yourself questions about this group you're talking to, and how you can reach them where they live. ... Like any other home business, professional storytelling requires a keen eye for finances. Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox. Remember, your reputation will suffer whether a bad storytelling performance is or isn’t your fault. For more tips on being a professional storyteller, including how to set up a business, keep reading! Lou writes a great blog called Ishmael's Corner: Storytelling Through a Business Prism. Authentic storytelling is key to gaining consumer trust. Here's Lou's take on one storytelling exec: Look at … Let me share how this leader, my client, discovered the magic of business storytelling. Nothing. Check the National Storytelling Network’s calendar at, While you might intuitively understand some or all of these storytelling elements already, explicitly recognizing how these elements work in conversation with each other will hone your storytelling skills. “The key is to show your vulnerability,” says Morgan. Simple. Offer them advertising space on your podcast. References. “It also gets them thinking about their own story and the leaders that have influenced them. The good news is that long ago, I was professionally trained as a speaker, I've given thousands of speeches and presentations, and I've been helping executives and companies position themselves, market their ideas, and tell stories for decades. You can find the thing that is causing writer's block and change it. The repetition of images and verbiage associated with your business creates brand awareness. Image courtesy Flickr user Joi. All rights reserved. “People will become your partners in change,” because they want to be part of the journey. For instance, if you’re telling a story about a big bird, you might say, “Then the bird swooped down from its nest.” While saying this, you might raise your hand high above your head and bend it at the wrist in a ninety degree angle. Even if the story you tell is fictional, show enthusiasm for the characters and events. A change-resistant industry that needs to be transformed? If you don't think some of that stuff is storytelling, then you're really in for a shock. When you tell a story in a business setting, you’re personalizing your facts and putting a human face to the details you’re presenting. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. Make your own life a story! Be authentic when telling your story. Life happens in the narratives we tell one another. “Good storytellers understand that a story needs conflict,” says Morgan. The interesting thing was, he was known as a colorful figure in his industry who told interesting stories. Practice with friends, loved ones, and trusted colleagues to hone your message into the most effective and efficient story. On a visit to see Zinta in the hospital, Vince told her about the disappointing turn of events. A good brand can inspire trust between your business and customers, employees, and suppliers. This creates an immediate response that makes your story memorable and shareable. Lou writes a great blog called Ishmael's Corner: Storytelling Through a Business Prism. I remember looking around and seeing the astonishment on everyone's face." Ask Yourself, 'How Can I Weave My Data Into a Story?' Your target audience has a million voices clamoring for their attention. Our “can-do,” “just-works” small business customers appreciate that, and they relate to the tough, early days of launching a startup. If you are performing in a large hall in which sound does not easily carry, suggest -- or insist -- that your hosts provide a microphone for your performance.