10 laws of great storytelling
Law #1: Keep your mouth
shut and your ears open.
This is crucial in the
first few moments of storytelling. Before you begin
your story, take a moment. Look at your audience and
smile at them. Only after you have got their
attention do you begin to even introduce yourself
and your topic. You will be able to observe many
things about your audience in these few moments.
Law #2: Begin your story with a question.
Have you ever noticed
how everyone perks up when the speaker begins by
asking something like, “Is everyone feeling good
today?” or “How many people want to hear a
good story?”
This technique of asking a question first,
engages the audience even further and helps you connect with your
audience.
Law #3: This is your first meeting with
your audience.
Show that you are curious about them. Make
them excited about themselves first. When you learn who your audience is
and what they are interested in you will be able to tailor your story to
them and, therefore, keep them interested throughout your talk.
Law #4: Speak to your audience just as you
speak to your family or friends.
This is perhaps easier to say than to do –
remember that they are only human. They are not menacing and really,
they only want to learn from you and your story. Even in a professional
presentation, the purpose of the presentation is to show others in your
‘audience’ what it is you can offer them. Speak normally and politely as
you would to your friends.
Law #5: What is your audience not
saying.
Are members of your audience fidgeting and
fussing? If you notice this, then perhaps it might be in your interest
to take a moment, and say something like, “You know, if this is not a
good time for you, then maybe we could do this another day. I will be
telling this again on Wednesday, so you’re welcome to join us then.”
Most of the time, those who are really
pressed for time will be so grateful that they will appreciate this
concern you show them and return for more.
Law #6: If someone asks you a question
then answer it briefly or …
When someone in the audience asks you a
question when you are in the middle of your story, answer them but limit
your answer to no more than 1 minute. If you exceed this, then others in
your audience will think that rather than you telling your story, you
are more interested in debating the issue with this one person. An easy
way to get back to your story is to say, “I will answer all questions at
the end of this talk.”
Law #7: Who are you talking to?
Do you know your audience?
I once listened to a storyteller who so
enjoyed the sound of his own voice and debated the issues in Cinderella
with himself that it was only about twenty minutes later when he heard a
loud snore from the back of the room did he realise that his audience, a
group of six to ten year olds, had absolutely no idea what he was
saying. He was stuck in his ‘auto-pilot’ mode that he did not realise
that his audience would never understand what he was saying. You must
know who is in your audience before you even begin to tell your story.
Law #8: When telling your story verbally,
always be brief.
Notice how lectures/seminars/storytelling
sessions are always no more than one hour sessions. This is because that
is the normal attention span of most people. Now when you have a story
that spans over many, many hours, break them up into sections and leave
a little for another day.
Law #9: Always remember to take a break
when storytelling.
This is very important because you need to
know if your audience understands the story so far. If they don’t here’s
your chance to clear the air. It is also a chance to re-connect with the
audience. When to take a break or have a pause? Usually in a one hour
speech, it is wise to take a break every 20 minutes or so.
Law #10: Invite your audience to
participate in the storytelling.
One of my fondest memories is that of
watching a play called ‘Son of Man’, many years ago. It was the story of
Jesus Christ and really one that I had seen played out in different ways
before. This one stands out in my memory simply because there was, at
the end of the whole play, ‘audience participation’. The ‘disciples’ of
Christ, began to invite people from the audience onto the stage. I was
one of them. I am no actor and said nothing but formed the crowd that
was to listen to Christ speak. That was all; but being involved in this
story, made it all the more special and that experience was wonderful.
In conclusion, as a storyteller, if you
can get your audience to understand the story, become a part of it and
thereafter connect with the characters, you're well on your way to
becoming an outstanding storyteller.
Aneeta Sundararaj, a
storyteller, is the creator of the bestselling
program "How To Tell A Great Story". It offers
simple, cutting-edge strategies applicable
universally. Visit
http://www.howtotellagreatstory.com to learn
more.
howtotellagreatstory.com