Long Story Short: The Only Storytelling Guide You'll Ever Need

by Margot Leitman

Fill in this blank and repeat until you run out of memories. I CAN’T BELIEVE I ONCE ______

The best surprise parties are the ones when the guest of honor really had no idea. Think of the expression on that person’s face. Now try and re-create that moment with your audience when you tell your tale

Action-adventure, that genre, only works for me if you can care about the characters. If the hero’s not taking some kind of a journey, then there are no stakes—and no stakes, then you don’t care if he lives, or dies, wins or loses. —BRANDON LEE, actor and martial artist

PASSION + HIGH STAKES + “DUMB PLOT” = ROFL

STORYTELLING GUIDELINES • Keep it true. • Change names and identifying characteristics of other people in your story if you feel it’s necessary. • Make sure your story has a universal theme that is relatable, not self-indulgent or overly personal. • Have multiple points of entry. • Don’t be heavy-handed with your message. Let the story speak for itself. • If you’re not “over it,” don’t tell it. • Tell us what you were thinking at the time of your story. Reveal your inner monologue, from A to Z. • Cut the fat when introducing external characters. Use composite characters and nickname them when you can. • Make sure we root for you. Be an underdog. • Show us your flaws and use them to your advantage when telling your story. • If there are full-circle connections within your story, be sure to use them. But don’t force a connection. • Be the star of your story. • Add nostalgia (songs, television shows, fashion styles from the time of the story). • Keep us on our toes by incorporating the unexpected. • Keep it conversational, not presentational. Cut out anything you wouldn’t say to a group of your friends. You want your story to sound natural. • Make sure you aren’t just listing things, going on a rant, or making a political speech. Make sure you get to the “meat” of the story. • If you care, we care. Passion will take you far. Emotionally respond to the tale you are recounting, but don’t yell at us!

Keeping these elements in mind, I am a strong believer in writing your story out word for word first.

There is no need to include phrases like “ ‘I’ll do it myself,’ my sister said with a sneer.” In storytelling, you can just write, “Then my sister said, ‘I’ll do it myself.

GOOD THINGS TO ASK YOUR SUPPORTIVE FRIEND TO LOOK FOR: 1. Was it easy to follow? Were you confused by anything? 2. Did you root for me? 3. Could you keep all my characters straight? 4. Did you relate?

While some others pray, I narrate and then I save it. —SPALDING GRAY

The truth is, it really doesn’t matter what business opportunities storytelling gets you. What matters is that you share your truth.

If sharing that truth leads to some exciting opportunities, my advice would be to say yes to things that scare you, be flexible with your plan of where you want things to take you,*1 and be grateful for whatever opportunities arise. I certainly am.

Stories are far more memorable than just a statement of fact.

Tell me something odd/interesting/unique about you. This should not be so personal that you would only tell a therapist, but also not so safe that it will bore us all (e.g., “My fun fact is, I love coffee”). Try to find something in the middle, such as “I am an identical twin,” “I’ve been to all fifty states,” or “I used to dance competitively.”

Already, by revealing a small personal thing, you have made yourself memorable. And in any business, being memorable is half the battle.

You’ll stand out from the crowd if you can talk about yourself in an engaging manner

Did you run into any obstacles while you were trying to get where you are today? What is a specific story of success in your field that drives you to do what you do? A customer that really affected you? A small business you were able to offer a loan to? A family you were able to find the perfect home for?

Stories of overcoming obstacles only make people want to work with you more.

Every person has a story. Engage with others. Get off your phone! Every person you meet is an opportunity to learn about a world you’re not a part of.

QUESTIONS THAT ENCOURAGE STORYTELLING • How long have you worked here? Do you like it? What makes you like it? • What did you do before this? • What made you become a _______? • What is the weirdest thing that ever happened to you at work? • What was the best thing that ever happened to you/that you ever witnessed at work?

If you watch any of my stories on YouTube, you will see me take a visible and audible deep breath right there on the stage before I start my performance. Believe me—it works!

A personal story can get the audience on your side before you launch into the meat of your presentation

every person has different responsibilities. My interpretation is to commit to what you love, and take that as far as you can go, even if “as far as you can go” is learning about storytelling by listening to podcasts en route to work and back every day.

Storytelling is an art form first and foremost. Later, you can transform it to a business, if that’s what you desire. But most it should just be done for the fun of it, not for financial or career gain.