So - today I’m talking about a BIG IDEA that’s deeply embedded in my Speaking Story course that is open right now… and that is this: 

I believe in the power and value of story. But what's the real VALUE of a story?
I’ve helped people tell a story that landed a multi-million dollar deal.
I’ve helped people tell a story that went viral on YouTube and Facebook.
I’ve helped peoples stand in their own vulnerable story, and watched it move an audience - impact people - CREATE the emotion and feeling that ushers in change.

So - let's talk about the REAL ROI on a powerful story. www.speakingstory.com

Enrollment is open for the Speaking Story course -all about helping you connect with and convert your audience through story. Doors close September 18th - join now! www.speakingstory.com

This episode is brought to you by my NEW MASTERCLASS - “How to captivate your audience with story - without feeling like a failure on stage”… You know that feeling, right? - that feeling like you just didn’t CONNECT, things didn’t CLICK, that moment didn’t land… I have been having so many conversations with these amazingly brilliant people who are out there and just feeling like something’s not working…And getting things to work for you is my speciality. :)
So, I want to invite you ALL to join me for this FREE MASTERCLASS going on starting on September 4th for a really limited time… jam-packed resource for those of us who want to move our audiences… and there’s ONE THING you need to master to really do it well…

So, join me at https://www.captivatemasterclass.com

I’d love to see you there!

Ok, let’s dive in to this week’s episode!

On today’s episode we’re going to be talking about the biggest hangup I see again and again with speakers as they begin to develop their story…
And I want to get it out there so that - even if you don’t end up taking the course with me next month, you avoid this hangup…

And that is: telling a GENERIC story, that’s not really a story.

There are some pro strategies I've seen the pro storytellers use that ANY of us can use... and it will greatly affect the impact of your stories! Check them out:

One of the biggest questions speakers ask themselves before starting a talk is… which story do I tell? We know stories are essential and powerful - but WHICH story can determine how well your audience connects with you, and your idea. Check out this week’s episode to learn the 8 qualities that can help you assess your story (plus - a free download to help you!).

Here’s the truth: If you can’t see the magic in the every day, you won’t have a story to tell. But when we can see wonder and magic in the every day - and articulate its meaning - the stories will leap out at you, and those stories will move people.

So, yesterday I got a message from a friend of mine showing me the results of his 23andMe report.... saying that he was genetically predisposed to a fear of public speaking. (And he speaks quite a bit.)

Hmmm! Interesting!

By the end of the day, another 3 people had reached out with their own results on this same thing. (23andMe - nice marketing!)

So... I HAVE OPINIONS!

People ask me all the time: 

How long should it take to prep for this big talk?

My answer is typically: More than you think.

With incredibly busy lives, juggling way more than one thing at a time - prepping for our talks often gets squeezed. Add onto that the mental and emotional challenge of developing a talk… well, avoidance and procrastination can take on a life of its own. 

I get it! It’s not easy to create space when the more seemingly urgent can easily jump to the front of the line. But often the last few days and hours and moments before a talk, we are then faced with that moment of regret…

I wish I would have taken more time for this. I wish I would have practiced this more. I wish I knew this better. I wish….

No more wishing!

It’s 2019 - let’s do things differently this year.

JOY. 

There were all kinds of signs pointing me to JOY: a journal that jumped out to me at the craft store; our Christmas card; a talk I heard; my latest Netflix craze watching Marie Kondo “spark joy”… The universe has been laying down little pebbles for me on this one. 

But what does JOY have to do with you - and what does JOY have to do with speaking? 

I think Joy is an essential element of speaking that MOVES people.

Not convinced? Take a listen: