The Storytellers’ Guide

The Steps The Intent The Issues
What’s Your Point?

You have to have a point you’re making and you have to contract for that purpose with your audience Clarify your purpose in telling the story - what do you want to accomplish with your story? – the story should point to that end
Make It Real

Get everyone into the moment – tell the story as if it were unfolding now. You don’t have to be melodramatic as you tell the story. People will experience their reactions more deeply, however if you deliver the story with in a way that communicates your feelings. You are more compelling if you are feeling it as you tell it.
Take Folks On A Journey

You want to take people from the current reality to the ideal state you’re describing with your story. Engage their imaginations. Help them get excited about the passion of your vision.
Creating a Sense Of "Us"

Stress the purpose, values, or goals that you share with your audience. Provide the idea that helps us see ourselves as “us” in the same boat, fighting the same fight. Relate to them as stakeholders of the vision you’re crafting.
Help People Rehearse Their Future

The story creates or recreates a world of its own – one that contains a lesson – what to do or what not to do in the circumstances. Focus on how the people in the story make it happen or get from here to there, in ways consistent with your vision of how the business should work.
Where’s The Rub?

What’s the problem, issue or challenge that gives the story its dramatic interest? Tell what the people felt or faced and how the people did, or should have, overcome the barriers to get where they were going.
Provide An Eagle’s Eye View

Tie up your story with a focus on the common good. Describe the outcome that comes from keeping your brand promise or executing your business idea extraordinarily well.

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