The most important skill you didn't learn in school:
Storytelling.
7 simple strategies to become a world-class storyteller:
Storytelling.
7 simple strategies to become a world-class storyteller:
🔹 Find your 5-second moment
All great stories tell the story of a 5-second moment.
And the purpose of a story is to bring that moment to the greatest clarity possible.
All great stories tell the story of a 5-second moment.
And the purpose of a story is to bring that moment to the greatest clarity possible.
Your 5-second moment should be a realization about something in your life.
EX:
In Raiders of the Lost Ark…
The 5-second moment is when Indiana Jones finds faith when he needs it most.
It’s a story about a scientist who finds God.
EX:
In Raiders of the Lost Ark…
The 5-second moment is when Indiana Jones finds faith when he needs it most.
It’s a story about a scientist who finds God.
🔹 Start opposite of the end
Once you have your 5-second moment, ask yourself:
“What’s the opposite of that moment?”
The beginning of your story should be the opposite of the end.
Once you have your 5-second moment, ask yourself:
“What’s the opposite of that moment?”
The beginning of your story should be the opposite of the end.
This is what creates an arc in your story.
EX:
• I once was X, but now I am Y.
• I once thought A, but now I think B.
• I once felt 1, but now I feel 2.
Stories must reflect change over time.
EX:
• I once was X, but now I am Y.
• I once thought A, but now I think B.
• I once felt 1, but now I feel 2.
Stories must reflect change over time.
🔹 Raise the stakes
Stakes are the reason people lean in when you speak.
• What does the main character want?
• What is at stake?
• What’s the obstacle/challenge?
Surprise your reader.
Take them down one path - then suddenly change directions.
Stakes are the reason people lean in when you speak.
• What does the main character want?
• What is at stake?
• What’s the obstacle/challenge?
Surprise your reader.
Take them down one path - then suddenly change directions.
🔹 Use humor
Humor is a great way of holding your audience’s attention.
But remember - your goal isn’t to be funny… it’s to emotionally move your audience.
When to use humor:
• In the 1st 30 sec
• Right before you make them cry
• After an incident (to break the tension)
Humor is a great way of holding your audience’s attention.
But remember - your goal isn’t to be funny… it’s to emotionally move your audience.
When to use humor:
• In the 1st 30 sec
• Right before you make them cry
• After an incident (to break the tension)
🔹 Ethically lie
Only lie if it benefits the audience (not you).
Here are 4 permissible lies:
- Omission: Take irrelevant details
- Compression: Pull time periods together
- Assumption: Make assumptions about tiny details
- Progression: Change the order of events for story arc
Only lie if it benefits the audience (not you).
Here are 4 permissible lies:
- Omission: Take irrelevant details
- Compression: Pull time periods together
- Assumption: Make assumptions about tiny details
- Progression: Change the order of events for story arc
🔹 Create zig zags
Don’t use “and”.
Use “but” and “therefore”…
❌ I loved Hailee since sixth grade. She was never my girlfriend.
âś… I loved Hailee since sixth grade, but as much as I loved her, she was never mine.
See the difference?
Don’t use “and”.
Use “but” and “therefore”…
❌ I loved Hailee since sixth grade. She was never my girlfriend.
âś… I loved Hailee since sixth grade, but as much as I loved her, she was never mine.
See the difference?
🔹 Relatability is key
The best stories aren’t about big moments.
They’re about small, relatable moments.
• Walking with your dog
• Eating breakfast with your daughter
• Reuniting with your childhood friend
The best stories aren’t about big moments.
They’re about small, relatable moments.
• Walking with your dog
• Eating breakfast with your daughter
• Reuniting with your childhood friend
As Steve Jobs said:
“The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller.”
To master the art of storytelling - start here:
“Storyworthy” by Matthew Dicks
“The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller.”
To master the art of storytelling - start here:
“Storyworthy” by Matthew Dicks
How to Become a World-Class Storyteller:
1) Find your 5-second moment
2) Start opposite of the end
3) Raise the stakes
4) Use humor
5) Ethically lie
6) Create zig zags
7) Relatability is key
1) Find your 5-second moment
2) Start opposite of the end
3) Raise the stakes
4) Use humor
5) Ethically lie
6) Create zig zags
7) Relatability is key
Thanks for reading!
Two things:
1. Follow @Jayyanginspires for more content on writing, storytelling, and marketing.
2. Retweet the tweet below to share with a friend :)
Two things:
1. Follow @Jayyanginspires for more content on writing, storytelling, and marketing.
2. Retweet the tweet below to share with a friend :)
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