9 Powerful Tips on Storytelling in a Presentation

In the corporate world, telling a story to make an impact or to help the audience grasp the concept is very vital when making a presentation. The way the story is told makes a world of difference. It is possible to turn off an audience by boring them with a long story that does not motivate or have any objectives.

Presentation is not only about charts, graphs and figures. Introduce a story about someone that the audience is familiar with and you will find their attention is riveted. People love to hear stories about someone in the industry and will listen carefully when you speak. You can also give a hypothetical name to someone and weave a story that is interesting and involve your audience.

Try to communicate with your audience by engaging their rapt attention. The story that you tell should run through the presentation. How many points do you want to get across to your audience? Select your stories accordingly and make sure they are relevant to your presentation.

Here are a few pointers on storytelling in a presentation that you can use when you have to stand on that podium.

1. When you begin a presentation talk to your audience about life as they know it. You will find that they are listening to you raptly as they nod their heads in agreement. Narrate a little incident at this point to further your presentation and you will create a bond which will make the presentation easier.
2. Draw on your repertoire of stories that you have collected over the years. You may have some special stories or events that took place in your life that you would like to share with others. Use these stories only if it has a significant to the subject you are presenting. Write them down in a book so that you can pick the right one on a particular day when you make a presentation.
3. Before you deliver your story to the audience, narrate it loud to your friends or practice in the privacy of your bedroom. How you tell the story is very important. Slow down when you are expressing shock or anger and look amused when you are coming up with a humorous line. Watch how your friends react when you tell your story and you will know what appeals to others in your story. The same story may bring different results in another group so practice many times before you deliver.
4. If you have received a story from a colleague or friend you can use it if it makes a difference in your presentation. Do not try to take credit for the story and acknowledge the person who shared their story with you.  Of course you should not forget to get their permission before you tell the story.
5. When making a presentation, you should use PowerPoint to explain your story so that the audience understands the lesson or objective that you are trying to impart. While you are explaining a strategy, stop and share a small anecdote about how the strategy was introduced by a company and how it made a difference when they stopped using the old one. Your audience will listen eagerly as they understand the reason for your storytelling in the presentation. The second reason is that it breaks the monotony when the topic is a serious issue that requires a lot of concentration.
6. If you have a one hour presentation, make sure to have your story in four or five parts. In between your presentation, come back to the story. You start at the beginning and complete the story at the end of the presentation. This technique is referred to as “a story spine” where you introduce reality then go on to conflict followed by struggle. You then resolve the story and let them know that a reality exists.
7. When giving a presentation it is difficult to keep the attention of the audience engaged throughout the session. It is therefore essential to tell stories, ask question and let them share your sense of taste, smell and hearing. In short you are introducing the language of the senses.
8. Consider the timing as this is also important. If you are trying to engage the audience after lunch you need to energize your presentation by getting them out of their stupor. Get the audience engaged in a question and answer session during the presentation and try a humorous vein to get their attention. If you have to make a presentation in the morning you may have to slow down a bit as your group is alert and full of energy.
9. Wrap up the presentation powerfully by making it inspiring and offering future rewards. When you explain the call to action the audience should respond enthusiastically.