7 Simple Techniques to Become a Good Storyteller

Becoming a good storyteller requires a combination of skill development and practice. Whether you want to tell stories in text or video, the fundamentals remain the same. Also, whether you want to share stories in writing or orally, the basic principles remain the same.

Here are few suggestions and experiences from my journey:-

1) Read, Watch, Listen

Since we have so many formats of storytelling these days, you can read stories (online, books, eBooks), watch (films, documentaries, TED talks) and listen (podcasts). Notice the language, structure and character development carefully. While vice modulation may be critical to audio storytelling, facial expressions may be critical in audio-visual storytelling.

2) Practice under a Mentor

Practice, practice and practice under a mentor. I initially practiced storytelling on Facebook, with close group of friends and family. As I became more confident, I began to share my short stories on my blog and LinkedIn. I used stories in my classes, and later in training sessions. Stories are most powerful tools for teachers of all kinds, be it trainers, teachers, coaches, mentors etc. Practice makes a man perfect and also a woman.

3) Learn Storytelling Frameworks

“The Hero’s Journey” by Joseph Campbell is the most popular storytelling framework, but there are other simpler frameworks also. One also needs to understand the elements of storytelling such as plot, setting, dialogues and character development. You need to practice how to use these elements to tell a compelling story.

4) Observe other Storytellers

Observe other storytellers and public speakers offline if possible. Watch out for what makes them engaging. Note down what you like and what you don’t. Check out interactive storytellers on YouTube, and notice how they make it interactive.

5) Be Authentic

Be as authentic as possible. Best stories come from a place of authenticity and vulnerability. Share the emotion which you experienced and describe your body language while experiencing that emotion.

6) Invite Constructive Criticism

Ask your friends for feedback especially those who are comfortable in doing your constructive criticism. Evaluate their suggestions and incorporate them as much as you can. Repeat the process till you achieve excellence.

7) Understand Your Audience

Ask questions if required. Understand their interests, comfortable languages and what makes them click. Experiment if needed, and notice the response to your experiments. Do not aslieniate your audience by making statements like, “You belong to a different generation and I belong to a different generation”. All generations connect to stories.

Conclusion

In a recent Faculty Development Workshop, I shared with school teachers that in the age of ChatGPT, teaching "only writing skills" is becoming irrelevant. Even a machine can do that. But ChatGPT cannot share your personal experience, ChatGPT cannot tell your stories. Will ChatGPT push us all to become storytellers? If we have to stay ahead of the machines, may be it's time to learn to tell stories.

What's your take?

(Note- This article is based on data collected through ChatGPT and then rewritten)

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Brief Profile

Dr Amit Nagpal is a business storyteller with special interest in brand storytelling, data storytelling and social media marketing through storytelling. He has more than two and a half decades of experience as teacher and practitioner of brand management and media marketing including television, print and digital/new media.

He has co-authored Amazon bestseller, “Personal Branding, Storytelling and Beyond”. He believes “Digital is Magical” and stories are the most powerful tool to build both brands and bonds. To know more visit www.dramitnagpal.com.