Here are three R’s that I have created that illustrate how you can make your next presentation SuperGood. Using these approaches will even make Fogell stand out from a crowd.
Repeat
Stories have always existed, will always be around, and they will be repeated over and over again. This is because they contain nuggets of wisdom that people cherish, crave to hear, and be reminded of on a daily, weekly, month, or annual basis. Think about it. There are really no new stories. They are just retold by different people in different ways. Just look around you… Frodo, Luke Skywalker, William Wallace – all of these heroes faced the same challenges. Their stories just a have a different twist or storyline. Thus, stories will always exist. Period.
Not only are stories repeated but great stories contain repetition.
Most SNL fans remember Chris Farley’s infamous character, Matt Foley: the motivational speaker who lived in a van down by the river. The script is a perfect example of the beauty of repetition.
Well, you’ll have plenty of time to live in a van down by the river when you’re.. [ tries to be clever ] ..living in a van down by the river! Now, you kids are probably asking yourself, “Hey, Matt, how can we get back on the right track?!” Well, as I see it, there is only one solution! And that is for me to get my gear, move it on into here, ’cause I’m gonna bunk with you, buddy! We’re gonna be buddies! We’re gonna be pals! [ picks Brian up ] We’re gonna wrassle around! [ puts Brian down ] Ol’ Matt’s gonna be your shadow! [ motions] Here’s Matt, here’s you! There’s Matt, there’s you! [ trips and falls flat on the coffee table, sending it crashing to the floor ] Whoops-a-daisy! [ stands up ] We’re gonna have to clean that up later! Me and my buddies! My pals! My amigos! I’m gonna go get my gear! [ heads for the door ]
Such a simple a script, but the concept of friends, buddies, and down by the river are what make it so memorable.
Reveal
When exiting a local grocery store one evening, I saw a great bumper sticker on a car parked next to mine. It simply stated: “The shortest distance between two people is a story.”
That’s powerful stuff!
Remember these two items the next time you start constructing a story. This is an approach that is encouraged by CEO of Parade magazine, Walter Anderson. Great stories are built off these main principles.
Your story needs to have:
1) Tension – You need to create a problem. There needs to be some type of dramatic hook.
2) Discovery – This is the reason why you are telling the story. What is everything leading up to?
In essence, it’s all about the power of the anecdote – leading from one point to the next. Keep in mind, the best anecdotes are the most simple. Here’s a classic quote and example from the movie Elf:
Buddy the Elf: “I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel.”
It’s amazingly captivating. The story builds from one point to the next. It doesn’t hurt that the character of Buddy is easy to love. After all, he would like to do nothing more than build snow angels for two hours and then snuggle.
Good news! We are all storytellers. You have stories. Your parents have stories. Your grandparents have stories. Your company even has a story. You should have plenty to write about, so what are you waiting for? Don’t be a cotton-headed ninnymuggins! Start writing. Maybe one day you’ll have book published about your own story just like Buddy the Elf.
Revamp
Storytelling produces results. It will change and grow your business. Here is the bottom line. (Highlight this or write it down somewhere. It’s the heart of this article):
Stories create emotions. Emotions create motivation. Motivation creates action. Action creates results.
Repeat. Reveal. Revamp. These three R’s will change the way you look at storytelling and your presentations moving forward.
