The unholy trinity of storytelling

Mes amis,

Welcome, welcome! Please have a seat and welcome to the house 🏠

Can I get you something? A smooth hot drink? Refreshing cold beverage?

In the meantime, help yourself to this week's (and next week's) issue

Storytelling is a skill everyone has but no one levels up.

And worst of all these three are common mistakes which ruin their effect and potency.

For you, that ends today.

Let's get into it.

It’s better said when it’s not all in your head

I’m about to hit you with two conflicting ideas.

• You shouldn’t tell a story off the cuff.

• And you shouldn’t memorise a story you want to tell.

“So what do I do then??”

You marry both (don’t worry, in these parts it’s legal).

As we’ve covered before, the two most important parts of your story are the beginning and the end.

Those are the only two points you should memorise.

The body is important too, but the start (the attention grabber) and the end (the point of transformation) are what make stories unforgettable.

Why can't I side with either?

Because both will let you down when you’re in the middle of your story and forget what happens next. Nightmare.

You’ll either stop or you’ll begin to ramble and waffle. 

Instead, do this.

Place checkpoints in your story.

If 1 marks the beginning of your story and 2 is the end, you can have subsections

For example, 1 = The Start (hook) 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, etc. Up until you arrive at the end of the story (moment of transformation), 2.

This allows you to remember only a handful of things; simple.

Don’t humour me this

Oh, humour. 

I learned a long time ago I have the ability to make people hysterical… but not on cue. 

And I’d imagine that’s the same for you.

If not, then I’m flattered you’re reading my newsletter instead of closing the O2 Greenwich with the likes of Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr and Mo Gilligan. 

You shouldn’t aim to be funny when you’re telling your story. 

There are some stories which will be naturally funny, but that’s because of their nature. 

Some storytellers are hilarious, but most of the time, these people are comedians.

However, you’re not a comedian, you’re a storyteller. 

Plus, it’s a major disconnect. 

You may be harping on about the fact your mum and some of your friends find you funny and they may, but they find you funny. 

I've got some news for you (and be sure to wear your adult trousers for this) they find you funny because they know you, have a deep rapport with you and like you. 

You won’t have all three with a stranger.

So focus on your story first. 

You can save your comedy routine for the comedy club.

Oh, and please.

For the sake of the ground we stand on…

Don’t open your story with a joke. 

You’re so vain. You probably think this story is about you

Stop spending all your time practising in front of a mirror.  

When it comes to practising, follow the 80/20 rule:

• Spend 80% of your time practising your speech in front of people. 

• Spend 20% in front of a mirror. 

You should spend the majority of your time working on the delivery of your speech to a live audience and not to yourself. 

You’ll never know what you’ll look like until you watch your performance back, so stop spending your time checking your teeth and your hairline. They’re fine 🙂 (hopefully…).

Body language is important, but, it's not vital to the delivery of your story.

Practice in front of a mirror so that you’re aware of what your body is doing. 

I’d recommend minimising movement so you’re not distracting your audience.

All their focus should be on your story.

Spending mastering the delivery of your voice, tone, pitch and dynamics. 

This is what people will remember.

Until next Sunday

A bientot 👋🏿

Like what you read? 👀

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Pacing the room, swearing foaming at the mouth.

The man was rabid.

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