There has been tons of discussion lately around storytelling and the art of it. Experts are popping up with their own storytelling frameworks, methodologies and processes on how we can create a story that moves and inspires.
I found this graphic recently on Google+ (via Ryan Hanley) and thought while it was pretty obvious – it’s helpful.
Read the post on this topic from ABC Copywriting.
Here’s my take on the infographic:
- Trust in the teller. Trust is the core of any quality relationship. And that’s what you’re building while presenting – relationships. We can build trust by selecting topics in which we’re passionate and competent in.  Here is a great article from Forbes on the topic.
- Drama. Every good story needs some sort of drama – this should include conflict and resolution. And did you know, people tend to love stories about the underdog.
- Relatability. A story that they can relate to. When we present or speak on stage, it’s not about us – it’s completely about the audience. Make sure you’re telling stories that they can relate to.
- Immersion. This is important – heck, there is a whole book on getting buy-in from folks titled “How to get people to do stuff.” Immersion is difficult, but important if you’re trying to inspire, persuade or motivate a group. And immersion tends to occur if the story is relatable and the speaker provides opportunities for the audience member to put themselves in that position.
- Simplicity. This reminds me of a great quote from Albert Einstein – “If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t understand it yourself.” Very true. Make your story simple to understand and simple to follow. Simplicity always wins.
- Agency. This portion of the infographic I especially liked. A great presentation, in my opinion,  isn’t about “telling them what you’re going to tell them and tell them” – it’s about inspiring them to listen, apply what they’ve learned and work out the solutions or results on their own.
- Familiarity. If you’ve done everything correctly mentioned hove, the story will have a familiar feel to it. And this is important in building trust, conveying a message and getting people to change. Plus, the more familiar a story feels, the easier it is to follow and enjoy.
That’s just my take on the items in this . While seemingly obvious, they’re important parts of building a story that will resonate with your audience.
What do you think about this infographic? Anything in particular stand out? Share your thoughts below.