How to Tell a Great Story
Storytelling isn’t hard
Telling a great story isn’t hard. In fact, there is no one authoritative way to tell a great story. The important thing is to avoid the few pitfalls, then have fun and develop your own style.
If you can learn a few key things, then you can tell a great story. Since the world needs more storytellers, I’m going to share those secrets with you now.
If you find them helpful, I hope you will share them with other aspiring storytellers!
Here are the rules
These rules are tools. They aren’t intended to fence you in. They are intended to empower you to build something great. Learn to use them skillfully, and you will never find yourself without a story to tell, or an audience who want to listen.
#1. Anchor your story in a single moment.
Where does your story begin? Every book or movie picks up at a single moment. Even the Bible does this. “In the beginning…” That’s a moment! Your story doesn’t have to start at the beginning of your life, or the beginning of the day, unless that is where the story actually starts. Matthew Dicks of “Storyworthy” (A fantastic book worth reading) says to find the transformation in your story, and then back up only as far as you need to, and no further. That’s great advice.
Children’s stories begin this way. “Once upon a time.”
Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Tolkien in The Hobbit: “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”
Every great story is anchored in a moment of time. That moment is also in a specific place, because time and place go together. So, anchoring your story in a moment will also include the place. “When” and “Where”. Find those two things, and you’ve got your anchor. Let’s continue.
#2 Find Your Target
What is your story about? What is the moment of transformation, or insight? What did you learn? How do you succeed, or fail? This is the thing you are aiming at. This is the end of your story. When you get there, you will be done.
As simple as that sounds, I need to tell you that a good many stories are ruined by the storyteller continuing to speak long after the point has been reached. Know your target. Hit your target. Unstring your bow. In other articles, I talk about how to find that target. For this post, I only want you to remember that rule. Know your target. Never forget it.
#3 Draw a line from your anchor point to your target.
I’m afraid I have hopelessly mixed my metaphors in this article, but I hope you can follow the train of thought. (Another poor choice of metaphor.)
The discerning reader may recognize that what I have proposed here is nothing more than the classic “three-act structure.” There is a beginning, a middle, and an end.” I’m pointing this out because I want you to recognize that while there are fresh ways to say old things, when we are talking about great storytelling, we are talking about something very old indeed.
The middle of your story matters. It’s the creme in the middle of the Oreo. Without it, you just haven’t got a story or a cookie.
I see a lot of companies post their beginning and ending on the “Our Story” page of their website. Something like “We started in February of 1778 and since that time we have done xyz until the current day where we still do…” It’s bland. It’s tasteless. It’s all chocolate wafer and none of the cream! Is there no humanity?
The middle of your story matters. So much so that I thought it was worth repeating.
Now, that middle section needs to be structured and delivered well. It needs to draw a nice line connecting the beginning to the end. It should include emotion, insight, and stakes. We’ll talk more about that in another article, but don’t treat it like an afterthought. It’s the backbone of your story. (I’ve totally created a monster with these metaphors.)
Let’s sum up.
It’s not hard to tell a great story. You just need to follow a few simple rules. I know that sounds easier than it feels. I’m hear to help you get more comfortable with the actually process of telling the story, but for now. Just remember those rules.
Now you go and out line your next great story. What’s the lesson or insight you want to share? Anchor the story in a moment. Draw a nice clear line.
Look at you! You’re already on your way to being a master storyteller!
Want help shaping your own story for a presentation, pitch, or keynote?
I offer 1-on-1 Story Strategy Sessions for leaders, coaches, and communicators.
Contact me here. We’ll find a tailored solution to fit your needs.
