The most successful presentations are a mix of facts, statistics, and a little imagination. But if your slides are full of cold, hard numbers and nothing more, your audience will likely be bored. Whether you’re delivering an annual report, a sales presentation, a status report, or a project proposal – there are plenty of opportunities to grab your audience’s attention by telling a story. But while stories can be powerful, it’s important to make sure you choose the right ones for your presentation.
1. Tell a Hero’s Story
In any good story, there’s usually a hero whose story we hear about and relate to. A hero takes on a challenge, overcomes it, and eventually returns home changed. This type of storytelling works well for a presentation because it ties into your audience’s experiences and helps them relate to you.
2. Create Three-Dimensional Characters
Creating three-dimensional characters is an essential part of any good story. The best ones have distinct characteristics, such as physical appearance or hobbies. This allows the audience to easily recognize and identify them.
3. Take Your Audience on a Journey
The best stories are those that transport the audience to a place where they feel like they’re part of the action. For example, when telling a story about a hero’s adventure, take your audience on a trip to the same place or time as the hero.
4. Use a Map for Your Presentation Structure
One way to keep your audience engaged is to show them where your story is going by using a map or a diagram. The visual nature of this technique is especially useful for presentations that use multiple plots or themes, such as a product development process or business strategy.
5. In-Medias Res
Another way to keep your audience engaged is to start your narrative in the middle of a story’s climax. This can be a tricky technique to master, but it’s worth giving it a go. Watch movies that use this technique, such as 12 Years a Slave or Pulp Fiction, to get an idea of how to do it effectively.
6. Share a Story Through Nested Loops
When explaining an abstract or complex concept, it can be easy to lose your audience’s attention. But by putting a story around it, you can connect the two ideas and keep them fresh in their minds.
7. Tell Your Story Through a Petal Structure
If your presentation contains several unconnected stories, it might be useful to use the petal structure. This involves telling a series of connected stories from different speakers to reinforce your main message.
Conclusion
There are many other techniques to consider, but those mentioned above will brighten up your talk and help you grab your audience’s attention. If you can incorporate any of these in your next presentation, it’s guaranteed to improve your chances of success.