Ever reveled in the magic of an incredible storyteller?

There’s something captivating about their ability to spin tales that draw you in, make you think and leave you saying “I need more of that”.

Who doesn’t secretly dream of weaving narratives like that, right?

The truth is, if you want to linger in the minds and hearts of the people you meet, you can’t just tell your story…you need to tell it well! 

Here are three of our favourite practices to set your stories on fire and leave your audience hanging on every word. 

Cultivate Curiosity

Curiosity is a storyteller’s super power. 

It opens the door to unexplored territories, new connections and a deeper understanding of the world around us. 

It enriches our lives with new perspectives and experiences that we can breathe into untold stories. 

Embracing curiosity makes every day full of possibilities (and content tales!).

It’s a powerful self-discipline that can take your storytelling to the next level, but it can take a little practice. 

Here are some simple ways to spark your curiosity mindset: 

• Approach each moment with a beginner’s mindset. Every encounter, no matter how familiar, holds the potential for fresh insights.
• Be Present. Mindfully engaging with every moment highlights the details and richness of every experience.  
• Embrace Uncertainty. Being comfortable with not having all the answers can lead to new and exciting discoveries.
• Ask More Questions. Open-ended questions will help you understand the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of the world around you. 
• Practice Active Listening. Listening to understand, not respond, helps you absorb the emotions, meaning and nuances of real-life conversations.

Start Curating

Before you can become a great storyteller, you need to become a great story curator. 

Collecting personal stories gives you an endless reservoir of content possibilities rooted in real-life experiences, so you can say goodbye to creative blocks and that dreaded blinking cursor. 

Here’s how you’re going to do it: 

1. Grab a journal or open your phone and start a new note called ‘Story Bank’
2. Set aside 5 -10 minutes at the end of each day to capture something that emotionally moved you. Who were you with? What did they say? Where were you? When did it happen? How did it make you feel? What did you learn from it? 

Make it a daily habit to start collecting moments, and before a year’s out you’ll have 365 tales and anecdotes to use in your storytelling. Not a bad start!

Embrace Vulnerability

If you want to forge an emotional connection with your audience, getting vulnerable is a powerful practice.

It gives you the chance to dig deep into the experience you’re sharing – the raw emotions, the limiting thoughts and the tough choices – and genuinely connect with your people. #realtalk

But how do you honestly share, without oversharing and damaging your brand? You ask strategic questions. Try these next time you’re getting vulnerable. 

• What pivotal moments have shaped you? 
• What fears and insecurities have influenced your journey? 
• How did you navigate the changes? 
• What did you learn about yourself? 
• Are there common human struggles or joys in your story?
• How can this experience help your audience?

Now put it all together and you’ve got a gateway for connection. 

Keep Going

Like any art, becoming a better storyteller is a journey, not a destination.

The best storytellers never stop learning and evolving, so make honing your craft a non-negotiable ritual. 

Cultivate curiosity, collect stories, ask questions, get comfortable with vulnerability and experiment with different styles to keep your storytelling skills sharp and the muse alive.