"We speak to be remembered, AND repeated". The wise words of charismatic keynote speaker Patricia Fripp.
What do we remember most easily? Generally, stories and anecdotes. How many PowerPoint presentations have you seen and instantly forgotten? Quite a few I would guess.
Yet a speech with well structured, vividly told stories is immediately memorable. A colourful image, a key phrase delivered with appropriate pacing, pausing, and panache are memory hooks.
Let Ms Fripp explain her secret storytelling formula:
If you look back over the last year in your club which stories do you recall? One stands out for me - captured in a single image. A man's charred hat hanging on the back of the door of a tiny cob cottage. Kimra Argus, President West London Speakers, told us the story of her widowed Great-Grandmother's journey from England to New Zealand.
Exhausted from years working in a WW1 munitions factory Great Gran left war torn Europe with her tiny daughter. Her aim: to marry Ben, her dead husband's best friend, a man she knew only from a few letters. And the charred hat? On the day Ben was to travel to Wellington to meet his fiancee the coroner's report confirms he was struck by lightening. His grieving father hung his son's hat on the back of the door. A poignant image Great Gran was to remember for the rest of her long life.
The best speakers in business, politics and other walks of life use stories in their presentations and speeches. A story may take 30 secs, 2 minutes, 10 minutes...it's a flexible resource that helps you connect with your audience and add colour and vibrancy to your subject.
Remember. Andrew Brammer, Distinguished Toastmaster, winner of the UK & Ireland Humorous Speech Contest is giving a workshop on Storytelling next week on Wednesday March 5th, 6.15pm for 6.45pm start, in EC2. Learn from a master! He'll be showing us how to hone our stories and create maximum impact with our speeches.
Secure your place by booking via our online booking service. For venue details see AndrewBrammerMar08.
Get the most out of the hard work you put into your public speaking. Make sure both YOU and your stories are remembered!
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