Kick this to the kerb now!

You know storytelling makes you a better presenter. Stories = engaging, entertaining, unforgettable. We’ve covered this, right?

But here’s the mistake most people make.

They overproduce their stories. You know the type. Every word rehearsed. Every gesture is choreographed. Every pause calculated for maximum drama. The result? Stories that feel faker than a politician’s smile.

I tell my clients to kick overproducing to the kerb. Your story should feel conversational, like you’re sharing it for the first time (even if it’s your hundredth).

Think Taylor Swift chatting with her crowd mid-concert versus some robot reading a teleprompter at an awards show. One context feels like hanging out with a friend, the other like watching paint dry.

The golden rule? Never memorise your story word-for-word. That’s where good stories go to die.

Now, am I saying wing it? NEVER. (Yes, I’m shouting. This matters.)

You need structure. You need clarity. You need to nail your message.

But you don’t need to sound like a robot.

Here’s the secret:
Nail your first line. No one wants to hear “Umm, so…”
Memorise your closing. Don’t fizzle out like flat champagne.
Let the middle of your story breathe. Keep it organic. Conversational. Real.

Don’t overproduce your story.
Share it like you’re swapping tales over coffee with a friend.