A good speech has a clear, relevant message supported by facts. A great speech has a clear, relevant message supported by stories that make the topic being discussed more interesting and more memorable.
The goal of every speech is to be memorable and informative. People are inundated with messages and speeches in some shape or form on a daily basis. How can you help make your message stick? One of the simplest ways to make a speech memorable is to tell a story that serves as a real-life example of your message. A relevant, well-told anecdote engages audience members in a way that PowerPoint presentations or statistical data can’t. When an audience is engaged, they are more likely to retain the information being presented. If the story is interesting enough they may even relay it to someone else, spreading your message even further. People genuinely like stories. We remember stories. We dream in stories. Stories help us remember key points.
Of course, there’s also a benefit to the speaker using stories. Stories make giving the speech easier. Story-telling helps relieve the tension that many speakers feel about forgetting their content. Interesting, thought-provoking stories are easier to recall from memory than cold, lifeless statistics. Story-telling is a natural part of conversations and allows for a smooth delivery.
Need help crafting your stories and preparing your speech? Call your advisors at Accent On Business 317-218-5111.
