Storytelling is powerful. It is a way to make people feel a connection to your message or product. We all have a story to tell, and the best way to connect with your audience is to share those stories. But great storytellers know how to take their stories to the next level by using techniques like exaggeration, accentuation, and embellishment.
But, all too often, some people inadvertently overstate the truth when they feel that their point is not being made or if they feel that their listeners are not emotionally connected. We can unintentionally stretch the truth to a point that may not resemble reality anymore just to keep our audience interested. Here’s how to use these techniques to connect with your audience, sell your ideas, and not turn a great story into a lie.
Exaggerate
Exaggeration is the act of overstating the truth for effect.
It's a technique used to make your story more engaging and attention-grabbing. For example, instead of saying, "I was really scared," you could say, "I was so scared that my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest!" By doing this, you're creating a vivid image in your audience's mind and making them feel what you're feeling.
Accentuate
Accentuation is the act of centering attention on something to indicate its importance.
By accentuating certain details, you can make your story more memorable and impactful. For example, if you're telling a story about a trip you took to a beautiful place, you could accentuate the landscape by describing it as "a breathtaking view that left me speechless." This will help your audience remember key details and connect emotionally to your story.
Embellish
And embellishment is the act of adding fabricated details or exaggerating the truth to make a story more interesting or engaging.
It's a technique used by many great storytellers to create a sense of drama or excitement. For example, if you are sharing a story about being scared by a dog, instead of saying, “the dog barked at me,” you might say, “the howling hound lunged at me with great groaning growls intent on tearing the soul from my body!” This might be an exaggeration, but it helps your audience connect with your emotions and feel empathy for your situation.
Learn to use these techniques to build listener desire, but don’t make promises that your product, idea, or service can’t live up to. When using these techniques, it’s important to maintain the integrity of your message. Don’t cross the line and lie to your listeners. Remember, storytelling is about creating an emotional connection with your audience, not deceiving them.
By using techniques like exaggeration, accentuation, and embellishment, you can make your stories more engaging, memorable, and impactful. These techniques allow you to create a vivid image in your audience's mind and make them feel what you're feeling. However, it's important to remember to maintain the integrity of your message and not deceive your listeners. Try more of these ideas in your next story and watch as your audience becomes more engaged and connected with your message!
I'd love to hear some of your stories and see how you #EXAGGERATE for effect, #ACCENTUATE for attention, and #EMBELLISH for engagement without crossing the line.
Exaggerate, Accentuate, and Embellish: The Power of Storytelling
Marty Jalove of Master Happiness is a Corporate Coach, Business Consultant, and Marketing Strategist that helps small businesses, teams, and individuals find focus, feel fulfilled, and have fun. Master Happiness stresses the importance of realistic goal setting, empowerment, and accountability in order to encourage employee engagement and retention.
The secret is simple: Happy Employees attract Happy Customers and Happy Customers come back with Friends.
Let’s #Connect at www.WhatsYourBACON.com for a #FREE 30-minute conversation. Time slots are filling up. Be one more of the many happy small business owners who have uncovered THIS secret.
#SalesCoach #MarketingMagic #Keynote #Career #Recruitment #BusinessCoach #EmployeeRetention #CorporateCulture #Storyselling #TeamBuilding #WhatsYourBacon #MasterHappiness