Mastering the Art of Show, Don't Tell: 5 Tips to Keep Your Audiences Hooked

Show, don't tell in your stories!

Here is a list of my favorite ways to keep audiences hooked as you share stories. I explain all of these tips in the video linked below, so check it out for more about how to apply these tips and examples.

Tip #1: Use Identifiable Characters

Your characters do not have to fit the "hero" mold to make them the center piece of your stories - they just have to be identifiable. In other words, your audience has to see themselves in your story or in the characters of your story.

Tip # 2: Make sure your story has a clear narrative arc

Your story should always include a beginning, middle, and end. Those parts of the story don't have to fall in a chronological order or revolve around a conflict. They should center on an experience or moment. My favorite explanation of narrative arc comes from professional storyteller, Kindra Hall who lays out the narrative arc like this:

• Beginning = Normal (set up context, etc.)

• Middle = Explosion (something happens!)

• Ending = New Normal (there is a lesson or takeaway for the audience embedded in the new normal)

Tip #3: Create Suspense

Surprise and delight your audience as the story progresses. Use the details to make the ordinary exciting and craft your story in a way that keeps the story entertaining throughout.

Tip #4: Include Emotion

Emotion is the secret behind every great story. Emotion gives your audience something to connect to and drives them to see themselves in your character. Emotion is why the story lingers with them long after its conclusion. There's neuroscience to support this process!

Tip #5: Use the medium to its fullest extent

If you're creating a video, use the film and sound together to convey strong emotions. If you're writing an email newsletter - get good with adjectives, hosting a podcast - use rich descriptions and voice cadence to enrapture your audience. Lots of storytellers cross mediums, but few are masters at using each medium (and media platform) to its fullest extent. Often, all it takes to master a medium is some practice and story adjustments ;).

Check out this video for more on how to apply each tip with examples!

Happy Storytelling!