Yes, Your Story Matters
Carmen Sederino
Performance Master & Speaking Strategist | Turning High-Stakes Presentations into Unforgettable Theatrical Experiences | Founder of The Illuminated Story™ Method | illuminatedstory.com
Hi,
Let me tell you about the power of starting your speeches with a story.
A few weeks back, I had a pretty slow Saturday afternoon at home.
I was standing in my kitchen…
An unmade cup of tea in one hand…
Waiting for the kettle to whistle.
The kids were napping.
Sunlight was shining through the kitchen window.
The day was just beautiful!
Then, I decided to make things even better by listening to some good, old John Lennon.
Imagine there’s no heaven…
It’s easy if you try…
No hell below us…
Above us, only sky.
Halfway through those first few lines… I realized what made this song a masterpiece.
It wasn’t John Lennon’s breathtaking voice.
Nor was it the blissful arrangement of the song.
No.
Rather, it was the storytelling.
See, Lennon didn’t just tell us his idea of a perfect world.
He invited us to imagine it with him.
In doing so, he allowed us to conjure these bold images of what the world could look like if all the people lived life in peace.
That’s the beauty of telling a story.
It draws people in.
It takes things down to a personal level.
It resonates, inspires, and engages.
Recommended by LinkedIn
That’s why you should start your speeches with stories!
I’m sure you’ve got all these great facts, statistics, and numerical figures that you think are the meat of your presentations.
But all of that can come later.
Think about how John Lennon started Imagine.
Think about how Martin Luther King Jr. started his famous speech:
“Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.”
And think about how I started this email.
See how quickly stories can draw people in?
That’s because stories are more memorable than facts.
Anecdotes and stories help people relate our big ideas to their own experiences…
Giving life and texture to your presentations.
Stories pull your listeners to a world full of sights, colours, and emotions…
Gripping them and keeping them engaged in what we’re trying to say.
So, the next time you’re struggling to find a killer opening for your speech…
Why not tell a story?
Now, if you need more actionable tips on how to utilize stories effectively in your speaking engagements…
Just reply to this newsletter and I’ll help you out.
Cheers,
Carmen
P.S. Whenever you're ready to learn about The 5-Star Framework (and many other approaches), here are three ways I can help you start unlocking your potential…
Three opportunities that will help you become clear, confident and compelling in front of your audience:
1. Join our IS Rehearsal Room and connect with other leaders and business professionals:
It's our fast-growing Facebook Community where driven leaders and business professionals are levelling up their Presentation Skills - it's FREE to join. (Join the Rehearsal Room)
2. Join us on the inside where you will gain access to our members' portal Rehearsal Room:
Here, you’ll find invaluable body language and vocal techniques—as well as tips and tricks sure to help you increase your influence in your next presentation. (Become a Member)
3. Work with me and my team to immediately start elevating your presentation skills:
If you're sick of putting up with where you're at now and want to make sure you're ready to do it better next time, let us help you create and deliver a presentation you can be proud of. (Apply here)
4. Watch some tips and tricks to elevate your presentations on our Youtube Channel (Subscribe Here)