Long Story Short

Don’t be fake; we’ll see right through that.

The middle of your story should have a plot. It’s the part of the story where you dive into a specific event that happened and the audience really starts to root for you on your journey.

Don’t get angry when recalling the story. Instead, try laughing about yourself.

Keep it conversational, not presentational. Cut out anything you wouldn’t say to a group of your friends. You want your story to sound natural.

Remember, don’t tell us the moral of the story. Don’t spell out what you learned.

Don’t ask too many people for their insights, just one or two people whose opinions you trust. Otherwise, your head will be spinning with conflicting opinions and you will start to doubt your whole piece.

choose people who will give you honest feedback, not just inflate your ego and tell you how awesome you are

Storytelling is essential when it comes to the business world. Even if you’re not making presentations, it’s invaluable to network well in order to succeed in your field, and networking is largely fueled by … storytelling!

Tell me something odd/interesting/unique about you. This should not be so personal that you would only tell a therapist, but also not so safe that it will bore us all

by revealing a small personal thing, you have made yourself memorable. And in any business, being memorable is half the battle.

Decision makers often choose the candidate they like personally. Don’t give up an opportunity to let your personality shine.

Every person has a story. Engage with others. Get off your phone! Every person you meet is an opportunity to learn about a world you’re not a part of.

We all know our nerves can get the best of us during presentations. I encourage you to try to find a way to relax and center yourself beforehand. I do not suggest reviewing your notes up to the last second before you present. Instead, prepare early, put your notes down, and take some deep breaths. I always say to my students, “There is nothing in those notes that isn’t in your brain already. Cramming at the last minute will just make you less focused.” Also, right before you speak, take a very deep breath.

I encourage you to incorporate a personal story into almost any professional presentation

A personal story can get the audience on your side before you launch into the meat of your presentation.

“Most events in life can be categorized in one of two ways: a good time or a good story.”