Let me tell you a story about storytelling.

Once upon a time, there were professional storytellers in Arab culture called Hakawati.

In the modern world, to sell is human, as Thomas Pink writes in his best seller book. Whether we think about it not, we are selling our idea to our boss and colleagues, we are selling a product in a shop, we are selling a concept to a VC, we are selling a service to a client, we are selling our spouse or friend on the next restaurant to try out. Again without us giving it much thought, we are constantly engaging in storytelling.

You need not be a Hakawati to tell a good story.

There’s an art to storytelling. It is part persuasion and part information, but it’s got to be 100% authentically you.

What do you need to tell a good story? Well, if a story is 100% you, then it starts with knowing yourself really well. Here are a few tips to get you started:

List the things people would tell you are your strengths when you’re not even asking. Describe what are you passionate about. Ask other people to tell you how they see you. Another helpful tip is to keep track of your accomplishments, like a CV but your own personal list, or visit your happy box if you keep one. Use all your senses to describe what is in the box or what is on the list.

Be able to tell your story in a human and compelling way. Think of a metaphor or catchy anecdote to start with, and use a lot of descriptive words, adjectives and adverbs that make it exciting. Find a good opening line to entice and keep it short enough to engage your audience.  After your first draft or two, you can pair it down and tweak it until its short enough and memorable enough.

Once you’ve identified your signature story, learn the art of tell it in an authentic way. Especially if you are telling it verbally, you want to make sure your body language is expressive and matches your story, or others will pick up that it’s not authentic. Remember, only you are accountable for your story, for the energy it conveys, the enthusiasm, attitude, the respect for yourself. You are in control of those elements.

It is equally as important today to think about your presence in the physical and the digital world. Your story becomes synonymous with your brand. Make sure the words you use in the story are repeated in your social media, your small talk, your presentations, your biographical sketch, you get the hang of it!

And what’s the best part of a good story? Hmmm. I’ll give you a hint, it’s not the ending, it’s the sequel!

To be continued…