All great communicators are great storytellers. Listeners are more open to
receiving when they hear the message delivered in a story format - they can
lower their walls and defenses because the message is coming to them in a
safe and indirect way. Wherever you want to make an impact, tell a story!
1. Paint images with your words by describing things using words related to
the five senses.
"The day that my grandmother died the world looked like a barren place to
me. Everything looked brown and vacant."
2. Use concrete words from the physical world when speaking, even when
talking about invisible things.
For example, an audience would be more touched by the very real image of
'crying' than the more abstract words 'mourn' or 'grieve.' "I cried on and
off for several months after my grandfather passed away' versus, "I mourned
and grieved for four months when my grandfather passed away."
3. Create suspense by starting out with a provocative sentence or a
provocative question. Finish up by delivering the resolution to your
original provocative question.
For instance, "Do you know what the one thing is that all women hate? Years
ago, I met a female police officer who... And that's how I learned that the
one thing that all women hate is...."
4. Use words that 'sing.'
This would include words that inspire, words that imitate a sound, words
that paint a beautiful picture, etc. Become an investigator on the prowl to
find more words that have this kind of effect. Examples: sanctuary,
crescendo, seaside, etc.
5. Tell stories when extra emphasis is needed.
Your listeners will remember the story long after they remember anything
else that you may have shared.
6. Use scenes from movies to drive home a point that you are trying to make.
For example, you could say, "When she found out how much credit card debt I
am in, I felt like the Wizard of Oz when they pulled back the curtain and
revealed the little old man."
7. Take note of which anecdotes have a powerful impact on others.
Reuse these anecdotes whenever possible. This type of anecdote will either
move an audience to tears or move listeners enough to make them talk about
the anecdote later on with you. Why keep a valuable tool in a drawer?
8. Limit the use of personal anecdotes when making a public presentation.
If you use more than three or four stories about your own life, your
listeners may feel that you are taking more (their time, attention, etc.)
from them than you are giving to them.
9. Tell stories about the cute things that your children and animals have
done recently.
These anecdotes will brighten up your listeners' day and warm their hearts!
10. Practice your storytelling skills on a daily basis.
People will feel nurtured, entertained, and supported by your effort to
become a good storyteller.
About the Author
This piece was submitted by Dr. Clare Albright, Clinical Psychologist and
Professional Coach-AbundanceCoaching.com
These 10 Tips are
from, "85 Secrets for Improving Your Communication Skills" by Dr. Clare
Albright, which can be downloaded for only $5.77 via
www.ImprovingYourCommunicationSkills.com
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