How can you use the "hero's journey" structure to create a compelling presentation story?

In presentations, the hero shouldn't be the speaker but the audience. By placing them centre-stage, you tap into their emotions, ensuring the content resonates deeply. Truly impactful narratives stem from understanding the audience's aspirations, fears, and challenges. Dive deep, use empathy, research their pain points, and then curate content that speaks directly to them. By tailoring your message to address their unique context, you not only engage them but empower them, making your narrative unforgettable.

The more specific you can be about who your hero is and how your solution can help them, the better. Do not shoe-horn your solution upon an inappropriate audience - and don't be vague. Remember, what is specific is universal.

Picture yourself in a room, connecting with a character who mirrors your challenges. The storyteller's clear goal resonates with your aspirations. Together, you face obstacles, yet hope flickers through inspiring stories. Then, revelation—the heart of the story, a game-changer. Success stories and steps empower you. A compelling call to action and takeaway leave you inspired. The Hero's Journey isn't just structure; it's a shared emotional journey, understanding, and inspiration to embrace your path to success.

The hero can also be a real person or group of people who your audience can relate to. Your presentation can use the hero’s journey pattern to inspire a change based on proven success of other relevant heroes.

Talk to your target audience, let them speak as much as possible, know their stories and what's important to them. Make the "hero" story as relatable as possible, help them see how they can achieve what they want with your product/service. A hero's journey should start at a point where your target audiences believe they are at, address the doubts and frustrations, and the stubborn ways in which we are reluctant to change. From there you can create a journey of education, dedication which makes people self-reflect, and clearly see where they want to be and how you can help them.

I think it's important to note that the call to adventure is based on something the hero feels is wrong in their world. It's a tension they seek to resolve, and thus the story begins. But perhaps even more important is that often what the hero discovers is not what they set out to discover in the first place. What they thought was the tension in life, in fact, has deeper meaning. As with life, what are often the most meaningful lessons are the ones we didn't see coming, the ones we didn't know we needed to learn, or the ones we didn't even know existed.

I'm a fan of SHOWING this question, challenge, or statistic. Not through words, but through real-life situations. For example: A car commercial where the teenager just got their license and is driving with friends. They're about to go 80mph in a 60pmh zone. But the car automatically maxes out the acceleration at 65mph - because the parents have set controls for the car. Then a statistic shows up on the screen sharing that 1 in 3 vehicle fatalities happen due to speeding. The hero in this case is the parent(s). Their call to adventure/action is potentially saving their child's life. When we show the call to adventure through real-life scenarios, we can make a bigger impact than simply telling the hero what to expect.

The 'call to adventure' serves as a beacon, drawing your audience into the narrative. It's the compelling 'why' that piques their interest, making them lean in. Whether it's an intriguing statistic, a provocative question, or a relatable story, this initial spark should highlight the disparity between their present state and potential future. It's not just about grabbing attention, but making your audience realise there's a journey worth embarking on. Craft this call thoughtfully; it's the gateway to engagement.

Aim to get the audience to see it from the 'hero's' point of view, eagerly waiting for that spark of curiosity and interest. The call to adventure is precisely that, a spark. It's what makes them lean in and care about what you're about to say. It could be a question that makes them ponder, a challenge that excites them or a jaw-dropping statistic it needs to draw them in. Whatever form it takes, it's the bridge between where they are now and where they want to be. When you make this call clear, relevant, and genuinely intriguing, you're not just grabbing their attention; you're igniting their enthusiasm to join you on a journey.

This is a good place to introduce a common challenge/frustration your hero faces. Ask yourself: why should they care enough to come on this adventure?

The mentor, which could be you or a representation of your idea, acts as a guiding force for the hero, offering knowledge, tools, and encouragement. As a mentor, showcasing your expertise, reliability, and genuine understanding of the hero's journey is crucial. The plan is your presentation's backbone – a tangible pathway leading the hero from their current situation towards their desired outcome. This roadmap, be it a process, strategy, or model, should be presented in a lucid and compelling manner, ensuring it's straightforward for the hero to envision and act upon.

A consistent tone of voice helps to build trust in your position as narrator and guide. The plan should be told as an 'always forward' story that leads the hero onwards, keeping them engaged.

Authenticity is key here. Trust must be established, early. Present your hero as someone who understands what the hero needs in order to succeed. Not theoretically, but practically. The mentor has walked this road ahead of your hero, and their lived experience is what builds trust.

The brand’s custodians are mentors. On one side is the client - brand manager, marketing director, on the other side is the agency which shapes its personality, gives it a voice and a tone. They discuss and agree on what the best path should be and how to get there - actions, milestones.

The hero receives the support of a mentor that strongly influences his development. He has a wealth of knowledge, doesn’t set any conditions and doesn’t expect anything from the hero. At the same time, he’s familiar with both the old and the new world.

Trials represent the hurdles your hero confronts, building tension and empathy in your narrative. They may be external barriers like market challenges or internal ones like apprehensions. The results signify the aftermath of tackling these trials using your outlined plan. It's where the story delivers satisfaction, showcasing tangible benefits like profits or intangible ones like confidence boosts. Employ real-life examples and concrete data to depict these trials and their subsequent triumphs, emphasizing how your presented strategy paves the way from challenges to achievements.

Use plenty of real-world examples and demonstrate measurable results – especially if those results relate to a similar challenge and positive outcome. Show how you've added value to others.

Anticipate the challenges ahead of time and create tools that the hero can use on their journey. The first stage of the journey will require simple tools, which may become more complex as they continue along the path. Commit to being a part of the journey throughout. Building a relationship beyond any single transaction or interaction.

The trials are narrated as ‘what if’ scenarios. What if something in the environment changed? What if the enemy responded with even greater force? The main intent of the trial is for the Hero to prove her / his worth.

by creating a powerful and personal connection between the mentor and the hero. It begins with the mentor, who represents the idea or message, establishing credibility and empathy. This fosters trust and opens the hero's mind to the mentor's guidance. The plan, presented in a simple, clear, and actionable manner, provides a tangible roadmap for the hero. It gives them direction, purpose, and a sense of control over their journey. Ultimately, success is achieved as the 'hero' follows the plan, guided by the mentor's expertise and inspired by their empathy. This approach ensures that the desired outcome is reached by both person, audience and business needs or goals are met.

The climax is your narrative's crescendo, prompting your hero to take decisive action. It's where you present a compelling call to action, nudging your audience from mere listeners to active participants. Following this high point, the resolution unveils the story's denouement, illustrating the transformative journey your hero undertakes after heeding your advice. It encapsulates the positive change and value derived from your proposal. By weaving in compelling testimonials, evocative imagery, and powerful contrasts, you help your audience visualise the profound impact of the journey, instilling in them the confidence and zeal to act.

Seek the "bigger victory". The best stories resolve in achievement that is larger and more significant than the goal they sought at the outset. Think of the movie CARS. Lightning McQueen only wanted to win the Piston Cup, but through learning to care about "people" and things outside of himself, he wins more than a race or trophy. He wins a richer life.

The takeaway encapsulates your presentation's essence, serving as a memorable nugget of wisdom your audience can hold onto. Think of it as a succinct reminder of your main message, whether that's in the form of a catchy slogan, a resonating quote, or a practical tip. Meanwhile, the hook keeps the flame of interest alight, enticing your audience to delve deeper and embark on the subsequent journey with you. Whether that's through a thought-provoking question, a tantalising challenge, or a valuable resource, the aim is to pique curiosity. By striking a balance between clarity and intrigue, you not only enlighten but also captivate, fostering an enduring bond with your audience.

Circle back on your call to adventure; the 'why' our hero should buy in. Remind them what the alternative is of not buying into the concept.

The climax is the moment of truth. Having experienced the brand, how is the customer’s life transformed? How deep is the impact? Are they inspired so that many others want to take the same journey? And talk about it?

Adding real life examples of re-enforces how your process and approach achieved success and validates the methodology and why its worth buying intoand recap the why, when why how and who.

Using the Heroes Journey when working with 'True Life' stories can be really tricky. Shuffling real events to create a good structure takes time and very careful editing. A personal identification with the protagonist and situation places the writer right where they need to be, in the thick of it, telling the story with insight and experience.

Steve Jobs famously said, “it’s better to be a pirate than to join the navy,” and that attitude permeated a lot of Apple’s most significant product launches.