3 TED Talk Role Models for Successful Storytelling in Speeches

Every one of us knows this moment in a long and slow presentation: At the latest with slide 49, it becomes difficult for us to keep our eyes open and not to think about the still to be done to-do list. But there is another way: The TED Talk Conference is the most famous series of presentations in the world. Thanks to their call for storytelling in their speeches, topics such as science, art and how to start a business become more exciting than ever.  What are the top TED speakers doing right that makes an audience makes us listen so carefully?

Multimedial Storytelling: Presentations, that appeal to all Senses

Joe Sabias talk is about the German author Lothar Meggendorfer, who revolutionized children’s books in the 19th century by creating pop-up ones. Meggendorfer was born to the royal assessor Johann Nepomuk Meggendorfer and his second wife Karoline von Sicherer. He went to a Latin school, finished his degree in arts and established his reputation as an author and artist. Seems to be a very boring topic one might think. Maybe Joe Sabia decided to pick it exactly for this reason. In his presentation the main focus isn’t on the topic he presents, but rather on the way he presents it. By means of his tablet and a screen, accompanied by matching music, video clips, pictures and sound effects he brings this essentially boring topic to life. His trick: He visualizes and emotionalizes his information. By applying multimedia techniques, he demonstrates how to turn a boring topic into an exciting storytelling highlight, with the crowd reaction to prove it. So be creative, grab yourself a projector, music and matching clips and appeal to all senses of your audience.

Advice: So your presentation doesn’t end in chaos, it has to be well prepared. Therefore, check carefully whether all files and videos are in the correct order and compatible format.

Advice: Keep your hands off memorized jokes. Usually they are boring and if misnarrated, it could get very embarrassing. Better: A funny situation that happened to you or to somebody you know. Depart from that you can’t learn how to be humorous, but at least everyone has an anecdote to tell.

Advice: Try to awaken empathy with your story. If you provoke reactions such as laughter, crying, anger or fear in the listener, then you are on the right track.