Why is storytelling important? Storytelling is an essential part of human existence. It is in our nature to tell stories and inform others of our life events. Storytelling, whether factual or fictional, is an intrinsic human characteristic. It originated with visual stories, such as cave drawings, and then shifted to oral traditions, in which stories were passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth.
Stories were usually told using words but sound can also be incorporated into a story by using music or other sounds as part of the narrative structure.
For example, when Homer wrote about the Trojan War he used music as part of his storytelling techniques because he wanted his audience to feel like they were part of the action happening around them on stage.
Our love for storytelling is still there! Even though mediums & channels have changed, the way we process information remains the same.
The human brain has evolved over thousands of years so that it can process visual images faster than text or written language can be deciphered. A picture is worth a thousand words! Thus, visual stories are easier for the brain to process and retain than written ones on paper or through text messages on smartphones and tablets.
How is storytelling relevant to presentations? 3 years ago, if you’d asked us at Ink Narrates, “What do you do?” we would have answered with a simple phrase: “We design slides”.
That’s not true anymore! We’ve evolved because we’ve learned some things. For example,
Complementing visuals is always better than plain graphic design.
Visual storytelling is the most powerful tool of communication.
Even the most intimidating of audiences are humans & could be persuaded by a good narrative.
Crafting the most powerful narratives takes more than just “just design”. It’s the art & science of visual storytelling.
Visuals + Storytelling = Magical Presentations Thinking of making a presentation? Pitch deck, sales deck, or a presentation for an event? Want to win this battle for attention?
Get three things right…
Build a good story: I don’t mean to keep talking about yourself and fall into the trap of personal TMI (too much information). When we say storytelling, we mean 90% of business context.
Craft complementary visuals: Visuals are not just pictures. They are aids that help your audience grasp ideas in a way they can understand more easily. Have you ever seen an explainer video? How the complex concepts are broken down into interesting visuals while the narrator talks. Now make a small change. Imagine you’re the narrator in this case. Animate the visuals for complex concepts.
Simplify: Complexity is the enemy of storytelling. Use good content, storyline & visuals to make your narrative to a grade-5 level. Test it for complexity!
Everyone wants to be understood and delivering a successful presentation with a good story will help you achieve that goal. Think about this as a process; try this approach and then adjust accordingly until you find what works best for your presentations. Good luck!
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