Would you happen to know how to tell your story?

They say storytelling is one of the most important human talents – it connects us, entertains us, draws us into discussions about things we love, and of course, makes us cry at the end of movies. But, storytelling isn’t always that easy – you can tell a story, but will anyone listen? That’s where the problems start! If you don’t craft your story well, the audience will get lost somewhere between the beginning and the end – maybe even before you open your mouth.

There are a hundred ways to tell a story. You can tell it linearly – like, we started at point A, and here we are now at point Z, bravo to us. You can turn it into a little drama – everyone loves a bit of drama, right? A story can have three elements, or it can have so many that people ask, “Are you Tolkien?” You can use stories to explain the world or to solve life’s deepest problems… like finding the remote control.

So, here are a few fun ways to do it!

Facts and the Path to a Solution

This type of story often sounds like: "We have a problem, but wait, I’ve got a solution!" Imagine it as a road trip: we started from the place called “This world is full of problems,” and the goal is to reach “We’ve solved everything, everyone’s happy.” You start by describing where we are now, then throw in a “What if...,” and your audience is already thinking about all those wonderful solutions. In the end, you invite them to stand up and change the world, or at least to start small – like taking out the trash. This is the kind of speech we hear in political campaigns, you know, “It can be better, just vote for me!”

Step-by-Step Explanation

If you’re a fan of instructions – this is your story! We start with “Here’s where we are now,” then move to “This is how we’ll solve the problem.” Think of it like a recipe for cake – first the flour, then the sugar, and... you get the idea. Explain each step carefully, but make sure that in the end, we don’t end up baking cakes for 5 hours because we forgot to turn on the oven! This type of story is perfect for product presentations, where everything is explained so clearly that even your grandma would have no trouble following.

The Pitch

In the business world, the pitch is king. Here, the story starts with: “We have a problem,” then moves to: “Here’s why our product is the perfect answer to that problem.” Present the challenges, then the solution, and once again show why your solution is better than all the other options – you’re saying: “Buy this because it’s the best.” Then you wrap it up with a punch, and the audience is just about ready to applaud.

Creating Drama

For soap opera lovers, drama is key. The beginning: everything is great. Then, bam, problem! The audience is already feeling a bit uneasy. The problems pile up, the situation goes downhill, and people think there’s no way out. And then, at the last moment, the solution arrives! This type of story teaches us life lessons, and if it’s told well, everyone leaves the room inspired… or at least a little shaken.

Situation, Complication, Solution

This is a three-step story. You start with “Here’s the situation,” then add that dramatic “But!” which complicates things, and finally, you resolve everything with “Because of that.” Simple, right? This is great when you need something short, clear, and effective – like explaining why you were late to work: “I was on my way, but the tram stopped, so I had to walk to work!”

Situation, Possibility, Solution

A slightly less dramatic version of the previous one – here, the “But” doesn’t complicate things, but rather opens the door to new possibilities. For example, “We have this situation, but here are the possibilities,” and then you explain how those possibilities lead to a great solution. This is the storytelling method for optimists – there’s always light at the end of the tunnel (though sometimes that light at the end of the tunnel could be a train, so watch out).

Hook, Content, Reward

This storytelling style is a favourite among true masters of the craft. You start by intriguing the audience – with a provocative question, a crazy story from your life, or a statement that makes everyone raise an eyebrow. Then, you slowly guide the audience through the key elements of the story, giving them that “Eureka!” moment, and finally, you call them to action. This kind of story sticks in people’s minds because we all love it when someone engages us emotionally and mentally, right?

Ultimately, it all comes down to tailoring the story to your audience and topic. Storytelling may seem hard, but with a little practice, you can become a real storytelling maestro who keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.