Business storytelling permission how to nail it

Do I need to request permission to share a story if my audience is time-poor? A client asked in my business storytelling workshop yesterday.

This is actually 3 questions rolled in one!

How do I segue into a story?

What is a good story length?

How do I pull off a story?

Story segues

Stories are like conversation dots. You can take a relevant story and insert it into a conversation, meeting, or presentation. But only if you use a segue sentence. Story segues are the velvet curtains that lead into the fortune-teller’s tent – they part and lead your audience into your story. Here are some examples of segues: for example, to illustrate the point…then share your story.

Short and sharp

No hard and fast rules, but in business, short stories work best. Judge length by your audience’s attention. There’s a point where your audience’s attention peaks, they get it! This is a perfect place to finish. Go beyond this point and you lose your audience.

Rockstar

Pulling off a story is about your personal conviction. Madonna said nobody will believe you are a Rockstar unless you believe it first. What powers a story is your conviction. Conviction only comes when you have done the work, around audience and story purpose.