Sign up FAST! Login

10 Storytelling Tips To Help You Be More Persuasive


Stashed in: Influence!, Stories, HBR

To save this post, select a stash from drop-down menu or type in a new one:

You can't just TELL. You have to inspire:

“Persuasion is the centerpiece of business activity,” says screenwriter Robert McKee in an HBR article entitled "Storytelling That Works." “Trying to convince people with logic is tough for two reasons. One is they are arguing with you in their heads while you are making your argument. Second, if you do succeed in persuading them, you’ve done so only on an intellectual basis. That’s not good enough, because people are not inspired to act by reason alone.”

Begin by thinking about the end message:

Plan your story starting with the takeaway message. Think about what’s important to the audience. The ending is the most important point of the story. This is the message we want to deliver, and the one that will linger with the audience.

You May Also Like: