SMART Volunteering-Storytelling Guide

To illustrate this simply, here are some of the most effective ways to tell your stories: Use simplicity • One of the mistaken notions is that a story has to have a complex structure and has to be subject to some rigorous rules. Nothing could be further from the truth. At its core, an effective story structure is simple • • Just tell people where you were, what happened and why you are telling them the story. End of story • Explain why you are telling your story • Your story needs to have a message—a clear takeaway for your listeners • • It has to have a purpose and have a point. A story without a message is pointless • Reduce details • Because we fall in love with our own stories, we consequently end up including too many details, which will lead people to start tuning you out, not understanding where you are going with your narrative. Ask yourself if all your story elements really help to bolster your point. If not, remove all superfluous details, but give people enough details to set the context, to help them experience the story and see what you see • • Giving too few details does not work either, as it prevents people from envisioning your story, so aim for the right balance • Use dialogue • Make sure you include dialogue in your stories. That is, do not tell a story in the third person. Repeat for your listeners the actual words the person in your story spoke • • For example, replace «He was surprised about the error I did» with « He said, ‘I can’t fathom how you could make such an error. » Dialogue personalizes your story, makes it more vivid and brings it to life • Learn about Transmedia Storytelling • Today, it is important to tell a consistent story across multiple media platforms. This is currently referred to as transmedia storytelling. This means your story needs to be shared on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google, YouTube, etc. • • By doing so, you amplify your voice and presence wherever your audience is. This reflects the reality of your audience and the way they process information • Convey truth • The stories holding the most punch are personal ones,, beacuse they resonate true • • When you tell a story, speak on your own voice and drop the jargon and inflated language. Use informal language, and speak from the heart • -17-