We hear a lot about using stories in presentations. In fact, I’m sure I’ve talked about it here on PresentationExpressions. But how easy or hard is it to include a story? Well, this week I want to share with you a simple presentation expression for how to start a presentation with a story. More importantly, I’m also going to show you what type of story to use. Let’s get started!
Once upon a time…
Did you ever hear the story about the young boy who grew up not knowing who his parents were, but always felt like the world had more in store for him? Like he had some sort of destiny? Any idea which famous story I’m talking about? Well, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….” I’m sure you know what classic story begins with that line, so I’ll let you figure it out.
Watch the video or skip below to read the rest.
If YouTube is unavailable in your area, please click the following link to view or download the video: Presentation Expression: How to start a presentation with a story (Length 2:53)
Starting a presentation with a story?
Yep, you’re going to learn a simple expression to start a presentation with a story. I can hear you wondering aloud, “But Carl, why would I want to start my presentation with a story?”
The simple answer is that as humans, our brains are hardwired to be interested in stories. It’s something we can’t get away from, so why not take advantage of it when giving a presentation, right? If you’re giving a business presentation where you’re there to pitch something, then I’d suggest using the method I taught you to start a business presentation. But if the presentation is pretty much anything else, you can try starting your presentation with a little story.
Stories are great to start a presentation because…
What this will do is get the audience’s attention because their brain thinks it’s story time and not “this-is-so-boring-I-can-feel-my-brain-cells-dying-time.”
So, what you say right at the very beginning of your presentation is: “Did you ever hear the story about…?”
Here’s the catch
That’s pretty darn simple, but the key is what the story is about. For that, you’re gonna need to include three important elements:
- First, the story should be about a person who does something or has something happen to him or her. If something bad happens to him or her, then that’s even better.
- Second, make sure the person overcomes whatever happens to him or her.
- And third, and this is really important, it has to be a story that is not commonly known or that’s not super-easy to guess what the story is. The reason is because if the person knows what the story is, then their brain shuts down and they become bored. In other words, if they know the story, then they don’t pay attention.
So there you go…A simple presentation expression to start your presentation with a story and three important elements to include, as well.
Question time…
What would people want to improve more…Presentation skill or the ability to create presentation content? Or maybe something else?
Let me know by leaving your answer in the comments section below.
If you have any questions about this particular topic, write your question below and I’ll help you out as best I can.
As always, thank you and see you again next time.
Carl
how to give the other member to continue the presentation
Hi venecia,
Thank you for your question! 🙂
The simplest way is for the current speaker to introduce what the next speaker will present. When the next person begins, he/she should thank the previous person before starting his/her section.
I think your question deserves a video to demonstrate! I’ll work on one for the near future. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Carl
Excellent way explained here to start with a story. Too good.
I invite an expert to give a seminar to my group. How can I introduce the expert to the students and What I should said as he end his presentation?
Hi maosen,
Thanks for your question! I just made a video about this a couple of weeks ago: http://youtu.be/f6Xa1fq-oPo.
The video is about introducing the next speaker, but it can be applied to your situation. I also have a video about introducing a team that might be helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_UGQYYSXQY.
Tell the students what your expert will talk about and what they can expect. Don’t speak for too long. The expert is the star, not you 🙂
At the end, thank the expert for sharing his/her knowledge and time. Talk about how much you and the students have learned. Mention something in particular that you liked. Say that you hope he/she will be able to speak to your students again in the future. Thank him/her again 🙂
Good luck! Let me know how it goes.
Carl
Dear Carl,
You are a great teacher your teaching methods is amazing
I learnt about your lessons, how should introduce your self
Thanks a lot for that
Tomorrow is presentation in my class it is a journalism class so please tell me
how should i present over there it’s a second day of my class
Thanks a lot
Hi Shiv,
Thanks for your message and kind words. As for your presentation, I have no idea since I don’t know anything about your classmates or the purpose of the presentation. If the presentation is the next day, you’re preparing way too late. You need to be ready at least two weeks in advance.
Hope it went well.
Carl
How do I introduce myself through a powerpoint presentation?(a number of slides)
Further, I need to introduce myself in a single slide of the Powerpoint presentation!How do I do that?
Hi Stacy,
Sorry for the late reply. I’ve been travelling and couldn’t get to my messages sooner… Having too much fun 🙂
If you use slides to introduce yourself, I suggest just using pictures from your life and talking about yourself that way.
If it’s just one slide? Do you have a nickname or anything unique about you? If so, put that on your one slide and tell the story behind it. Actually, I recently introduced myself with one slide and used a collage of pictures from my life. It made it fun and I could tell them a quick story about each photo.
But of course, you need to think about how much time you’ll have and who you’re talking to. Make it fun and interesting. That’s always the best way to introduce yourself, in my opinion.
Hope that helps.
Carl
Hi Carl,
Thanks for your nice website about presentation. Its realy helpful for everyone of us. 😀
I’ve a simple question. Most of your vidios are for official or for students of higher classes. But how can a student of junior class and whose native language is not English like me, can start a presentation simply.
Jahir (Bangladeshi)
Hi Jahir,
Thanks for your comments and question.
Starting a presentation in your case is the same as for anyone else. Please have a look at a video I made called “3 Step Presentation Introduction: The Problem / Solution Presentation”
Hope that helps and good luck!
Carl
What would people want to improve more…Presentation skill or the ability to create presentation content? Or maybe something else?
I prefer both – presentation skills and the ability to create presentation content. I enjoy all your videos, its fresh, catchy and very inspiring. Keep up the good work 🙂