How to Use Stories and Examples to Make Your Point

Keeping your audience engaged throughout your presentation can be difficult. A helpful way to achieve this is by telling stories. Storytelling is a powerful tool because it takes your audience on a journey and taps into their emotions. As humans, our brains are hardwired to process and store information in the form of stories. They activate our imaginations and inspire us to connect to the narrative. Therefore, stories are an indispensable tool for presenters who want to captivate their audience. Here are some ways in which you can use storytelling to make your next presentation one your audience won’t forget.

1. Start Your Presentation with a Story

The first few minutes of your presentation are the most critical. It is during this time that the audience will decide whether or not they want to keep listening. So, don’t squander those first few minutes telling the audience about your credentials or thanking them for coming. Rather, grab their attention right away by telling them a compelling story. Think carefully about who your audience is and what your overall message is and tell a story that will resonate with them. 

2. Make it Personal

Though it can sometimes be helpful to tell stories about famous people, keep in mind that audiences have heard stories like that thousands of times. However, they have never heard any of your stories. It can be very compelling to tell a story based on your actual experience. In addition to being original, it gives the audience more insight into who you are and allows them to connect with you. 

3. Use Stories and Examples That are Relevant

Don’t tell a story purely for the sake of entertainment. Remember, you are there to persuade and inform, not just to entertain. So, make sure your stories or examples relate to your message and reinforce your main point. 

4. Include a Few Stories Throughout

Stories are a great opener, but they can also be used throughout your presentation to sustain audience interest. There is no magic number of stories that should be used, but a couple of relevant stories can definitely enhance your presentation. With that in mind, don’t overdo with a constant barrage of stories. Be sure you incorporate them a couple of times and only when they can be accompanied by data or evidence to further demonstrate your point. 

5. End with a Takeaway

Some of the best presentations are the ones that have a climax or some sort of suspense in the middle, and then end with a positive resolution. During your conclusion, circle back around to the story you told earlier in the presentation. This is a great time to share how that character overcame an obstacle and made a change for the better. You can pack a key takeaway message into a short, memorable conclusion.