Storytelling is a powerful way to create relationships with your audience. Your stories allow you audience to get to know you.
STORYTELLING BY THE BEST
The best speakers in the world use powerful storytelling.
Zig Ziglar always used great stories in every point he made. He was a master at storytelling.
If you've listened to Zig, you've heard the story of the old water pump or the selling pans door to door. He made his stories come to life.
When Simon Sinek speaks, he is always telling stories. Watch his TedTalk on starting with why and you will see a talk filled with stories.
Brene' Brown is one of my favorites. Her stories of struggle and success make you fall in love with everything she does.
Storytelling allows your audience to get to know you. By the stories you tell, your listeners know what you value, what you believe and how you operate.
Friendships are formed through storytelling. Watch these three and others to learn from the best.
TRANSPORT YOUR LISTENER
One reason storytelling is so powerful is that stories transport your listener to other places. They forget about their problems and struggles for a bit.
To take your listeners somewhere else, use visual words. Bring your story to life in the theater of the mind. Use words they can see.
Active language helps your story come to life. It is easier to see walking than walked. "He walked into the diner" is harder to envision than "He came walking into the diner."
Use all five senses. What did it look like? Describe the smells. What were the sounds? How did you feel?
The more descriptive your story, the more it will come to life in your listener's mind.
DO I LIKE YOU?
Stories will help people decide if they like you.
Your listeners need to like you in order to listen to you. They are going to spend 30 minutes or an hour with you in their earbuds. It better be more than info.
Pretend they are asking, "Would I enjoy taking a one-hour car ride with this person every week?" That is really the essence of your show.
Develop friendships by telling a story to your best friend. Let your listener learn something about you.
REVEAL THINGS THROUGH STORYTELLING
When I review shows for my clients, I always ask myself, "What do I know about the host that I didn't know before the show started?"
Reveal things about yourself to let your listeners get closer to you.
During a show review for a client recently, he referenced his Italian in-laws, me
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