If you havesocial anxiety, you might not have much experience telling stories.
Also, think about the timing of when you tell a story.
For example, you shouldn’t be telling stories with adult content when there are children present.
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Do you start out describing what you had for lunch that day?
Don’t be surprised if people quickly tune you out if you don’t hook them right away.
The best way to engage your listener is to provide a hook that makes them want to know more.
Draw your listeners in right from the start so that they are waiting for what you have to say.
If you tell these types of stories, you might soon find your audience nodding off.
Keep your audience interested and intrigued by sticking to important details and making your story as concise as possible.
Use colorful words to convey your message instead of going into excruciating detail.
Highlight Emotional Elements
Engage the listener’s emotions.
Whether you evoke happiness, sadness, surprise or anger, elicitingemotionshelps to keep the listener attentive.
Your story will also come alive if you include emotional elements.
venture to practice telling your story at a reasonable pace.
Go slow so that your listeners have time to digest what you have to say.
But don’t poke fun at those around you.
Don’t tell stories that make others feel bad about themselves or have to stick up for themselves.
Telling a story that gets a laugh at the expense of someone else shows thoughtlessness and selfishness.
Speed up for the exciting parts and slow down to add drama.
Just check that that you don’t speak so quietly that others have trouble hearing you.
Ask them to imagine something specific in your story.
“Can you picture me…” is a good phrase to get you started.
Remember that even the greatest storytellers practice beforehand.
Don’t be afraid to practice your story multiple times before taking it out in public.
You willgain confidenceand also have a chance to iron out any of the issues noted above.
Improve Your Social Skills.Telling stories in conversation.
Scott H. Young.Improve your conversations with stories.
