Take these vital steps for storytelling mastery
A New York Times writer recently served up a hearty helping of public speaking guidance, advice and strategic insight. Here’s how to spin a more compelling yarn.
There’s a saying in Alabama: “He who spins the yarn wins the barn.”
That’s not really a saying in Alabama, or anywhere, to my knowledge, though the nugget of truth in that made-up maxim is this: There is power in great storytelling.
For those interested in harnessing that power, Daniel McDermon of The New York Times recently wrote a piece titled “How to Tell a Story,” which offers a trove of tips and tricks to captivate an audience. The article divvies up guidance into four parts:
Who, what, when
Before crafting a speech or presentation, consider the needs, preferences and sensibilities of your audience. Regardless of the scene or situation, McDermon advises finding a “universal thread that everyone can relate to.” He also cites advice from Toastmasters veteran Aaron Beverly, who stresses the importance of repetition, practice and more practice.
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