Today, we're gonna talk about how you can make any story more interesting. If you can tell your stories well, you'll find that people will love having you around. It's also much easier to talk about yourself in attractive or interesting ways.
We've already covered some aspects of storytelling in our videos on Scott Harrison and Kevin Hart so what I wanted to show you today isn't
how to tell a good meaty story well but instead, how to get people hooked even when your story isn't super interesting by itself.
So I picked a well-known YouTuber named Markiplier because he's a great example of how to make anything more interesting. For those of you that don't know Markiplier, he got his fame as a Let's Play YouTuber where he recorded himself playing video games. There are tens of thousands of people trying to do this and Markiplier rose to the top because he can make any given moment seem interesting.
The first lesson from watching Markiplier is pulled directly from when he tells stories. Before you tell a good story, bait the hook and get them to bite. Before he tells a story, he uses one to two sentences to create
a sense of I-need-to-hear-this. Listen as he starts this story on the H3 Podcast. The only person I've met that I wish death upon in college— Ooh! I wanna know about this person.
Now, one of the fastest ways to create a sense of I-need-to-get-out-of-this-conversation-as-soon-as-possible is to bludgeon people with stories they don't want to hear. So the first thing you want to do when you realize you have a story to share is create a teaser sentence like this one that gets people eager to hear what you have to say.
The story itself isn't a crazy one; it's a story many of us have about someone being a jerk in a group project. If you had just started the story by saying, "Oh, that reminds me of something that happened to me in college," it wouldn't have nearly the same impact. This may seem obvious but pay attention today.
And notice how many people start stories by saying something bland like, "Oh, guess what happened to me today?" I've even heard people start stories with, "You probably don't care about this but..." Why would you want to hear a story that starts that way? Compare that to Markiplier here.
So I went to the hospital last night because I got hit in the eye with a pickle. How could you not want to hear what happened? So start your story by baiting the hook with a teaser sentence that creates interest and curiosity. The second thing we can model from Markiplier has nothing to do with what you're saying and everything to do with how you say it.
you know, I've run the gambit of the emotions of like, "Ooh, this is new andexciting!" to "Oh, I missed the old days," to "O! you changed Markiplier. How could you do this to us?" I'm not suggesting you have to do it to the extreme that he does; just take what you're currently doing when telling stories and ramp it up a notch.
You'll notice it's much easier to hold the attention of a group. Specifically, when you're talking for an extended period of time, use your full vocal range and change up the speed you speak at. .
In conclusion, by following these tips from Markiplier, you can make any story more interesting and captivating. Remember to start with a teaser sentence that creates curiosity and hooks your listeners. Avoid bland introductions and instead, use intriguing statements to grab their attention.
Additionally, pay attention to how you deliver your story. Use your vocal range and vary the speed at which you speak to keep your audience engaged. Experiment with different tones, emphasis on certain words, and pauses to add depth and entertainment value to your storytelling.
Another important aspect is conveying emotions. Whether it's excitement, happiness, sadness, or frustration, allow yourself to genuinely feel and express those emotions while telling your story. This will make your audience connect with you on a deeper level and find your story more compelling.
Remember, you don't have to be an expert actor or fake specific expressions or movements. Simply be authentic and allow your genuine emotions to shine through. Different emotions will elicit different reactions, so consider the impact you want to create and adjust accordingly.
Finally, practicing these techniques will make your stories more engaging, even if the content itself may not be particularly extraordinary. By mastering the art of storytelling, you'll become a captivating presence, and people will enjoy having you around.
If you're interested in learning more about storytelling, Charisma University offers extensive resources, including an hour's worth of material and a five-day action guide on mastering storytelling. Check out the link provided for more information.
Thank you so much for watching. If you've made it this far, you're a legend! I appreciate your time and I hope these storytelling tips will help you become a more attractive and captivating storyteller. Stay tuned for more videos, and I'll see you in the next one.
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