Over the past few months, I’ve been reading this book to get a few tips on how to become a better story teller. Little did I know I’d also find out how to become a more engaging storyteller.

Here’s some of the cool things that I pulled from this book:

  • – What are you selling? Starbucks doesn’t sell coffee. It sells a place between home and work.
  • – Show how your widget improves my life, and you’ve won me over
  • – First create the story, then create the slides
  • – Don’t use PPT
  • – Writing -> Sketching -> Producing
  • – When speaking, use metaphors. It’s highly visual and effective. People can visualize and make the connection.
  • – Social Validation. Testimonials.
  • – Slides don’t tell the story. They compliment it.
  • – Presentations – WHy should I care? It’s not about  you. It’s about them.
  • – Never speak about technology. Always speak about customer experience.
  • – People always remember the last word you use.
  • – Extraordinary people don’t do it for the money. “Find something you love to so much, you can’t wait for the sun to rise to do it all over again.
  • – If you have no passion, you have no energy. If you have no energy, you have nothing.
  • – Always speak and write from the perspective of the user
  • – Be succinct. If you cannot describe what you do in ten words, I’m not buying
  • – People don’t buy what you do… they buy why you do it.
  • – Power of three. Use it.
  • – Villian. Start with the pain. Establish the pain. Then it’s easier to alleviate that pain. It’s the conquering hero that comes to save the day.
  • – Ten minute Rule. Audience checks out after ten minutes. Change the presentation up after ten minutes to start the time over.
  • – Beauty of Simplicity – Kanso – express great beauty and convey powerful messaging through simplification
  • – #s. Any time you use stats, make it relevant.  Gov’t spent 700 billion. That’s 2,300 for every man.
  • – Use simple and descriptive awards: amazing, ignited, metaphors… etc.
  • – Don’t sell solutions. Create stories.
  • – The brain craves variety: guest speakers, video, etc.
  • – Brain doesn’t pay attention to boring things
  • – Build up suspense. And then reveal he holy shit moment. This is awesome!
  • – Set specific goals, ask for feedback, and continually strive to improve
  • – Practice, practice, practice – This refers to Outliers. 10,000 hours of practice make you an expert.
  • – Practice contingency plans…
  • – Note cards destroy intimacy between you and the audience
  • – Speak with energy. The audience feeds of this.
  • – Q/A – Preparation of categories of answers. Prepare answers for the unexpected.
  • – Stay and be passionate.
  • – Practice telling stories.
  • – Dress your numbers