The Power of Stories

Would you like to ramp up your sales and communication skills? Would you like to really connect with someone instead of just speaking in vague hopes that they understand what you intend for them to hear? Turn to the power of stories.

Several years ago at a speaking presentation, I saw a number of heads in the audience looking down and seemingly uninterested. It was pretty demoralizing to me as a speaker. But then I came to a point in my speech where I started to tell a story. I said something like, "It was like the time that I..." and then proceeded to tell what happened. All of a sudden, I saw heads raised back up and looking at me. They had heard my shift to a story and were suddenly drawn back to my presentation. 

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Stories are also powerful sales tools. Once I was in a hardware store looking at outdoor grills. One of the salesmen came over and started talking to me about the various features and then started a story. He described how that evening he planned to be grilling brats in his backyard. I could see those brats sizzling on the grill. I could just about taste them, as well. I was hooked by the power of his narrative. 

You not only want people to hear what you're saying. You want them to know and understand what you're saying. Stories are a powerful way to make that happen. Has that been true for you?

Hear more of my stories on communication and digital media at your next meeting or function.