How do you make your storytelling authentic and vulnerable?

1 Choose relevant stories

The first step to authentic storytelling is to choose stories that are relevant to your topic, audience, and purpose. Don't tell stories that are irrelevant, outdated, or inappropriate for the context. Instead, select stories that illustrate your main points, connect with your audience's needs and emotions, and support your call to action. For example, if you are speaking about overcoming challenges, you can share a personal story of how you faced a difficult situation and what you learned from it.

2 Be honest and transparent

The second step to authentic storytelling is to be honest and transparent about your stories. Don't exaggerate, embellish, or fabricate details to make your stories more dramatic or impressive. Instead, stick to the facts and the truth, and acknowledge any gaps or uncertainties in your stories. For example, if you are speaking about a success story, you can admit the mistakes or failures that led to it, and how you overcame them. This will make your stories more credible and relatable.

3 Show your emotions and feelings

The third step to authentic storytelling is to show your emotions and feelings in your stories. Don't hide, suppress, or fake your emotions to fit a certain image or expectation. Instead, express your emotions and feelings in a genuine and appropriate way, and use descriptive language, tone, and body language to convey them. For example, if you are speaking about a transformative experience, you can share how you felt before, during, and after it, and how it changed you. This will make your stories more emotional and impactful.

4 Invite your audience to participate

The fourth step to authentic storytelling is to invite your audience to participate in your stories. Don't tell your stories in a one-way or monotonous manner. Instead, engage your audience in a two-way or interactive manner, and use questions, pauses, gestures, and eye contact to involve them. For example, if you are speaking about a lesson learned, you can ask your audience to reflect on their own experiences, or share their opinions or feedback. This will make your stories more collaborative and memorable.

5 Be yourself and have fun

The fifth step to authentic storytelling is to be yourself and have fun with your stories. Don't try to copy, imitate, or conform to someone else's style or standards. Instead, embrace your own personality, voice, and perspective, and use humor, anecdotes, and metaphors to spice up your stories. For example, if you are speaking about a passion or a hobby, you can share some funny or surprising stories that show your enthusiasm and uniqueness. This will make your stories more enjoyable and attractive.

6 Practice and improve

The sixth step to authentic storytelling is to practice and improve your stories. Don't settle for the first draft or version of your stories. Instead, refine, polish, and rehearse your stories, and seek feedback, advice, and support from others. For example, if you are speaking about a goal or a vision, you can test your stories on a small group of friends or colleagues, and ask them to rate your authenticity and vulnerability. This will make your stories more effective and confident.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?