Why Audiences Ignore And Quickly Forget Your Personal Story
Michael Davis
President & CEO, Keynote Speaker, Presentation And Speaking Coach | Communication And Storytelling Mastery For Leaders and Sales Professionals | Speaker's Advocate
I was listening to an interview featuring a Hall of Fame speaker. She said something that on the surface sounded harsh. But, as a storytelling coach I agreed with. She said:
“Quit thinking that anyone cares about your personal story.”
The idea of sharing of your personal narrative has become popular in business. I make my living helping people tell their stories. Yet, I also believe we have to stop telling yet another personal story.
The Caveat To This Belief
People don’t care about another life-changing story, unless:
It's wrapped around tips, strategies or processes that can improve their lives.
Too many people are taking valuable audience time. They're sharing narratives without giving listeners value.
Why?
1) They’ve heard it’s the thing to do, and,
2) They haven’t discovered the steps to crafting meaningful stories.
If you want to watch a ‘motivational’ talk or heart-warming story, you can go to You Tube, TikTok, or other platforms 24/7.
Appeal To One Of Their Desires
Want to Stand OUT as a presenter?
Create exceptional word-of-mouth?
Be asked back time and time again to share your message?
Consider this - people today want help in one of ten areas. They want to know how to create:
That’s it!
Audience interest is self-serving, and it should be. If you don't appeal to one of these ten, you won't get buy-in.
领英推荐
Questions Your Narrative Should Answer
Look at lessons you learned from your experiences. For example, if you went through a bankruptcy, what did you learn?
What steps have you taken to be better at handling money?
What have you done to increase your income?
What types of debt will you not incur in the future?
What type of support did you receive??
These are the questions people want answered. Offer them the insight, tips, and new ways to solve their problems, and they will care about your story.
People don’t want to hear another narrative without a purpose. Those are available from too many other outlets.
Wrap your story around lessons learned. Show people how they can save time, money or energy. Let them see how they can experience painful setbacks or obstacles.?
Then you’ll have a story people WANT to hear.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
Improve Your Speaking Skills WITHOUT Feeling Embarrassed In Front Of An Audience
How would you like to quickly improve your speaking skills without having to track down audiences?
Presentation improvement is dependent on quality feedback. It's not always easy to find people to offer that when it's convenient for your schedule.?
Wouldn’t it be great to have access to speech feedback WHENEVER you want?
Now you can.
Speaking CPR's new speech diagnosis tool gives you specific and measurable feedback. It shows you your strengths and areas where you need improvement.
With the push of one button and a computer camera, you can receive INSTANT evaluations. You'll speed up your speaking growth and leave greater impact with more people. ?
To discover how this tool can provide value to you, schedule a brief, complimentary ZOOM call. Click here: https://calendly.com/speaker017/15-minute-diagnosis?
Empowering Accounting, Legal & Financial Pros to Amplify Leadership & Achieve Freedom | Strategic Coaching for CPAs, CEOs, & Top Executives | Coach & Award-Winning Speaker | Best-Selling Author | The CEO Sensei
2 年Thank you Michael Davis . This edition is just what I needed as I prepare to lead a workshop for CEOS tomorrow morning. Great advice and insights. I have so many stories and relationing them to lessons learned and that the audience can can learn from as well is always on my mind.
Founder of Optimal Access | Helping creators and researchers stand out by turning their content into trusted, interactive resources.
2 年Great post Michael. Without purpose and context, stories will not be remembered. I am a member of SiliconSpeech toastmasters club and to practice my public speaking. There is also another tool I use called Yoodli that does the same as the tool you suggested.
Be A Cool Human ? Fractional CMO & Marketing Automation Expert ? Certified Performance Coach ? Helping Independent Advisors & RIAs Create More Efficient and Scalable Practices ? Podcast Host
2 年Thanks for this reminder! It's important to have a clear takeaway for the listener when you wade into a personal story.
Nationally Syndicated Radio Talk Show Host / CEO / Creator of the Thrive Sales Mastery Course / Noted 10 Time Author / Keynote Speaker / Sales Psychology Trainer / #1 Actiontainer in the World
2 年"People don’t care about another life-changing story, unless: It's wrapped around tips, strategies or processes that can improve their lives." #BOOM!!!
Business & Executive Coach | Scaling Up Strategic Planning Facilitator | Keynote Speaker
2 年Insightful post Michael. Having something to offer the audience is crucial, as you mentioned. And your personal story will help enrich that and strengthen what you're trying to convey.