Last blog, I
exhorted you to tell stories during your presentation. Here are some further tips and examples why
story telling can change people’s mind, heart and life. Most speakers spend the bulk of their
presentation communicating raw data.
Stories help bring the raw data to life.
Tips to good story telling:
· Be
authentic – talk from your heart
· Don’t bore
by taking too long to tell a story
· Create an
experience - be animated and paint a picture
· Use visual
aids when appropriate such PowerPoint, role play or objects (furry animal,
chair etc.)
· Practice,
practice, practice to convey the story well
· Tell the
right story for the right situation
Examples of classic and modern
stories that can make an impression on your audience
The Father and His Quarreling Sons
A father had two sons that constantly bickered. Finally,
he asked them to bring him a bundle of sticks.
He challenged each son to break the bundle over their knee, which they
found impossible. He then split the bundle and showed how each individual stick
could easily be broken. He said, "United you are strong; quarreling and
separated - you are weak."
The North Wind and the Sun
The north wind and the sun argued which was stronger.
On seeing a traveler, they agreed a suitable test would be to strip him of his
coat. First, the wind blew with all his might, but the more he blew, the more
than man wrapped the coat tightly around himself. When the sun's turn came, he
gently beamed at the man, who loosened the coat. The sun shone brighter still,
and the man threw off his coat.
Laugh at
Yourself and Others Will Laugh with You
Several years back, I was asked to give
a speech to a room full of budding women entrepreneurs. I arrived at the event
with a terrific speech, looking quite stunning in my navy blue suit. Just
before my speech began, I looked down at my shoes to see that I had one blue
and one black shoe on. At first, I was embarrassed – but spontaneously decided
to put it in my speech.
At the end of the speech, I reached
down, took off my shoes and put them up on the podium for all to see. I
reminded the listeners that every one of us is working hard to balance it all.
Sometimes we get it all right, but we still don't manage to put on a matching
pair of shoes! It was the greatest laugh I have ever gotten. Vicki Donlan, Author Her Turn: Why it's Time for
Women to Lead in America
The Men’s Room
I was asked to give a speech on
marketing to a group of contractors. They met in a divey bar. I noticed that
the men's room was decrepit—so I threw away my planned opening. Instead, I started, “How many of the men here
have used the bathroom tonight? And how
many of you saw the marketing opportunity for contractors in there?” . . . After
that, I could say anything I wanted; they paid attention! Shel Horowitz, Author Guerrilla
Marketing Goes Green: Winning Strategies to Improve Your Profits and Your
Planet
The Close
I was on stage finishing up a keynote at an awards dinner. I
was concluding my session and noticed for the first time that I'd neglected to
pull up the fly on my pants. What was worse, the audience noticed me noticing
it.
I quickly put on a face of comic surprise, and everyone
roared. Then, as the laughter died down, I leaned against the podium, nodded
knowingly, and said: “Remember the sales strategies we're discussed this
evening. Remember all the tips and tactics. But above all, remember that none
of them mean a thing . . . unless you remember to close.” I got a standing ovation. And for the rest of
the evening, people were discussing whether or not I'd planned the whole
incident. Barry Maher, Author Filling the Glass
Bottom
Line: Memorable Stories Penetrate Hearts and Change
Lives!
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