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Ten ways to become a captivating storyteller

People around the world have something in common regardless of their language, culture, or location on the planet. We love to tell and to be told stories.

Stories inform, entertain, capture people’s attention and reflect their world for them to reflect on, and in doing so are valuable tools for teachers, speakers, parents, and anyone else who wants to interact with others more effectively. Use them often and skillfully and watch people come to life in your presence.

Here are ten effective tips to make sure your stories get told well and captivate your listeners.

1. Watch for stories throughout the day. Stories are everywhere, so take a notepad and jot down the story promptly. Body it later. If you have a smartphone with recording capabilities, you can use it to record any story ideas that come to mind throughout the day.

2. Know the story you are going to tell. When you really know the story line, you can play with it to suit the audience. I find that I never tell the same story twice and it should be. The plot remains the same, but the details may vary.

3. Don’t rush the story by speaking too fast. Relax and enjoy the storytelling. It is your time to shine. There are two temptations to avoid when telling your story, rush and drag it out. Be mindful of your audience as you tell the story. Their body language will help you judge your rate of narration.

4. Don’t be afraid to make it yours. You can add or subtract details and add texture and suspense with your voice, gestures, and facial expressions. In short, you become an actor in your own drama.

5. Tell the story, don’t read it. Anyone can read a story, not everyone can tell a story well. When you tell a story, you establish a personal connection with the audience and can leave them spellbound in no time.

6. Use your voice for dramatic effect. It is the instrument that you will use to set mood, interest and emotion. If you tell your story in a monotonous voice, your audience will quickly hit the snooze button.

7. Never let a story drag on. You want your story to be short, sharp, and to the point.

8. Don’t get bogged down in details. Stay on the story line. You want to avoid the “Keep going” response.

9. Insert stories into the general conversation whenever you get the chance. Heard the other day … I read in the newspaper recently about … I saw a man / woman in the cafeteria and … These are just a few of the many ways to insert your story into the conversation. It is a great practice for you.

10. Seldom explain your story to your listeners. Let the story speak for itself. There may be times when you can give a brief summary of the story lesson, but it is usually best to let the story tell the listener where you are in your life. Often times, the message you want them to receive is not the message they receive. Who can say that the message they receive is not the one they were intended for.

When the situation is correct, it is really an advantage to get the audience involved in the telling of the story. This is especially true for speakers, teachers, and presenters. You can have a lot of fun with an interactive story. To get an idea of ​​what I mean, check out the resource box below.