How do you refresh your storytelling?

One thing I've found helpful is watching commercials from great brands. If you're not so drawn to reading books, then try to watch great stories. Wildly successful brands have mastered the art of storytelling. So watching their commercials can hone your storytelling skills and challenge you to wear your storytelling cap.

Saia do raso. A criatividade é um processo de livre associação de ideias, por isso busque sempre ideias novas, para oxigenar seu pensamento. Busque com profundidade o que pessoas do passado (recente ou distante) disseram e pense no que você discorda ou concorda. Pense também no "como" aquela história foi contada, vá além das ideias. Esta semana, por exemplo, estou revisitando o pensamento de Neil Postman sobre a mídia de massa. Não faço a menor ideia do que isto vai virar — talvez nada — mas me traz novas peças para minhas ideias, além de uma animação para escrever mais.

I don't think it's just reading. It's paying attention. The subject doesn't matter. You could be watching a formula 1 race, and listening to driver calls on the radio, or reading the dialogue in a fantasy novel. Something about that communication appeals to you. Why? Is it what is said, the way it's said, or both? Break down what made you pay attention. Look at the technique. Let it send you down a bunny trail of research. That's how you begin to learn and include it into your storytelling repertoire.

I’ve been keeping a reading journal since 2011. It’s around half a million words by now. That’s 500,000 words that I copied down because I found them compelling. I write down the name of the author, the date and circumstance I came across it, and what I thought about it—why I cared enough about it to want to preserve it. Doing this lets you trace your enthusiasm over time. Taste matters, and taste changes over time. What I thought would be a great line in a story in 2014 isn’t necessarily what I thought was great in 2020, and vice versa. It’s great to go back and see that what I thought was good years ago is still good—or it’s better than I remembered, that what I really appreciate about it now is different than what I appreciated before.

The more you consume, the better you create. To be honest, if you don't enjoy reading/listening/watching stories on a regular basis. You will struggle to be a great storyteller. I do this through new podcasts, new tv series, new YouTube channels to keep my story stock fresh. At the end of the day, I also am consumer. If I don't consume more, how will I create more?

Different formats cater to different learning styles and preferences. Expanding your toolbox allows you to reach a wider audience and maximize your story's impact. Think visual learners drawn to infographics, auditory learners captivated by podcasts, and kinesthetic learners engaged by interactive quizzes. Different platforms favor specific formats. Knowing your audience's preferred platform empowers you to tailor your stories for maximum visibility and impact. A viral TikTok story might utilize quick cuts and vibrant visuals, while a LinkedIn post might benefit from a longer, data-driven format.

I'm a huge fan of frameworks, and when it comes to long-winded, confusing stories, a simple reframe can help, especially when the story is about you. People really struggle to talk about themselves and showcase their value without feeling boastful or braggy. A simple reframe is to turn your background experiences into stories about who you served, not you. Make them the protagonist. You're in the story, just as the mentor who guided them to a solution.

If you're struggling to get your message across, particularly with writing, consider flipping the order of what you're trying to say. Tell us the end result and why it's important, then how it came about. If you've hit a rut with your writing, reordering the thoughts can present the information in a new way that's fresh for the reader.

When it comes to spicing up your storytelling, I love playing with perspectives! Instead of just sticking to the main character's view, why not explore other angles? Shifting perspectives can add layers to your story. It's like seeing the same event through different lenses—each viewpoint brings something unique to the table. So, ask yourself: Does looking at it from someone else's eyes make the story pop or flop? It's a fun way to breathe new life into your tales and keep your audience hooked!

Try, learn, smile, repeat. It is great to experiment with different formats, and there are so many to choose from, coupling with that the channels available - the opportunity is significant. Be creative in your storytelling - it is a wonderful way to nurture your story and communication. Utilise all the senses that the human body allows too - and release those all important hormones in your audience!

Get vulnerable and ask for feedback. Asking a trusted friend, coach, or mentor for feedback means you're not resting on your oars. It means you're intentional about your growth. Feedback is an opportunity to hone your skills. So don't hold back from asking for it.

Let's face it, we can't always tell what resonates with our audience and what falls flat. Here's where the power of feedback comes in!! But I don't just collect feedback, I actually analyze it too! I like to check if there are recurring themes in my critique, and if there specific elements my audience enjoys. I feel that if I understand my readers' preferences, I can tailor my storytelling to their interests, and keep them coming back for more.

The tough thing about opinions: everyone has one. Feedback is good, but not as good as action and reaction. If you ask for feedback, you will get some. Better, I think, to look at the reaction to your storytelling. Do people get it? Is the lesson learned? Does it engage? Does it make people laugh or ask questions? This won't be a popular opinion, but I think that ultimately you write and tell stories for yourself. If you don't do that, if you're doing it for someone else, I don't think you will last very long.

Seeking feedback from your audience and engagement data is a great way to recognize when to refresh your stories. To ensure you're consistent with how you evaluate these and the specific factors you want to account for, you can always create a story success scorecard.

being open to feedback and learning is extremely important in storytelling. Especially so when you realise and accept that your audience isn't a segment ... they are all individuals. So getting real time feedback and reactions will help you to learn and adjust in your next communication.

Writing everyday helps not only in making your skills shine but you also get more confident with your storytelling skills. Even if you write a few words but make writing your habit. You can decide a dedicated time slot for everyday, that you want to spend focusing only on writing and improving your storytelling.

An illustration I never get tired of using is this: Storytelling is like a muscle that you must constantly train. The day you stop training, that day begins a downward spiral for that muscle. So tell a story every day. You can do so in conversations, when training a group, or in any other form of communication. The more stories, you tell, the more you build up your storytelling muscle.

Commit to deliberate practice, with regular exercises and experiments to keep your creative muscles limber, ideas flowing, and craft evolving. Set aside time for freewriting, prompted writing, outlining a new story idea, or polishing a work-in-progress. Give yourself regular challenges. Like writing a flash fiction story every week or recording a monthly storytelling podcast. Make time to generate new ideas, whether through mind-mapping, researching, or conversation with other creators. Return to your earlier stories and practice revising or editing them with fresh eyes. Identify specific skills you want to improve, such as dialogue, description, or pacing. Find or create exercises to practice those skills in a focused way.

The beauty of practicing storytelling is that it is absolutely .. FREE! Do don't need a location, equipment, subscription, time slots ... as long as you are communicating then you can practice your storytelling. From my perspective, storytelling is for every communication, therefore you have a chance in these moments to level up your storytelling skills. Use and get familiar with a structure - much like my unique storytelling model - the sprout model - and then practice elements of it in each communication, every day. Before you know it, it will become second nature to you.

Like a skilled artisan honing their craft, storytelling demands dedication, discipline, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Set aside time each day to let your imagination run wild, to pen down your thoughts, and to breathe life into characters both familiar and new. With each stroke of the pen or tap of the keyboard, you inch closer to mastery, forging a bond with the art of storytelling that grows stronger with every tale spun.

Lembre-se que "criar" não significa "publicar". Brinque com assuntos diferentes do que você costuma transitar e veja o que acontece. Ninguém precisa ver, não precisa virar um projeto. Apenas deixe sua criatividade conhecer novas paisagens.

Step out of your comfort zone and explore unfamiliar topics or themes to expand your storytelling repertoire. Research and learn about different subjects to infuse fresh perspectives and insights into your narratives.

This is an excellent exercise to take you out of your comfort zone and help you improve your storytelling style. Try creating/telling stories related to areas you don't master, as this will force you to focus on storytelling techniques. But I recommend that you do this just as an exercise, so as not to lose the authenticity of the stories you tell for real.

The world is a tapestry woven from a myriad of experiences, perspectives, and realities. Dare to venture beyond the boundaries of familiarity and delve into the unknown. Explore new topics, immerse yourself in different cultures, and embrace the beauty of diversity. For it is in the unexplored realms of knowledge that you'll find the raw materials to craft stories that resonate with audiences far and wide.

Switching up your storytelling game is all about diving into new things. Imagine you're a total newbie, just feeling the vibe of something fresh. Take the time to soak it all in and let your storytelling skills run wild. Exploring different topics sparks your creativity. It's not just about learning; it's about figuring out how to spin these new experiences in your own special way.

A simple question you should always ask yourself when writing a story: Would I read this? If the answer is ever no. Delete that story and try again.

I also like to continuously improve my storytelling, find inspiration and knowledge, and have fun with my storytelling through online courses. 3 free courses for writing and storytelling skills are: 1. Coursera's "Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot" 2. edX's "Storytelling Fundamentals" by the University of California, Irvine 3. FutureLearn's "How To Make A Poem" by Manchester University I love exploring poetry and experimenting with the different types of poetry out there. It's so fun to learn these new formats and romantic ways of communicating and writing feelings. The bottom line is: Have fun, experiment, you'll do great things!

Una de las formas más divertidas de crear nuevos contenidos narrativos es colaborar con personas que destaquen en otros medios que tú no dominas. Una de las colaboraciones más enriquecedoras que vivo actualmente es la creación de contenido junto a mi compañera diseñadora digital, ya que nos retroalimentamos mutuamente mientras ideamos cada publicación, entre sus imágenes y mis palabras, para crear un formato nuevo que combina storytelling y poesía visual. Estar abierto a las colaboraciones, al aprendizaje continuo y tener los ojos bien abiertos para observar tu alrededor, siempre te traerá motivación para crear historias nuevas.

É importante contar uma história que desperta a sua curiosidade quando você olha de fora. Sentir que a história está viva e se surpreender com ela é um ótimo sinal de que funciona. É importante saber "sair do corpo", ler a história como se fosse a primeira vez e não ter apego: se estiver bom, jogar fora ou reescrever. Livros chatíssimos são escritos todos os dias porque o escritor não tem coragem de jogar fora uma coisa que deu uma trabalheira para escrever e não ficou boa. Seja seu crítico mais sincero e não tenha preguiça de reescrever. Escrever é reescrever.

Life and work, akin to a blockbuster film, offer an award-winning narrative when you embrace the spirit of experimentation✨ 🚀 Dive into the fast-paced action scenes, where challenges and tight deadlines create exhilarating plot twists 🕰️ Then, relish the poignant drama of problem-solving – a cinematic experience where every solution unfolds like a profound scene. In your life's story, blend these thrilling moments with reflective pauses, creating a narrative that captivates and resonates 🎭✨ Just as a film director crafts a masterpiece by exploring different styles, innovation in your projects blossoms when you HAVE FUN. Let your journey be an adventure, A FUN ONE 🏆

Observe who you admire. What is the way they talk? (That's a story.) What is the way they write? (That's a story.) What is the way they communicate? (That's a story.) What is the way they show up online? (That's a story.) What is the way they market, sell, build business? (That's a story.) Once you observe the pattern, apply the pattern to you - it is the quickest and most effective way I found for growth.

Read a variety of stuff - fiction, non fiction, mythology etc Listen to stories - Keep your ears open and be patient Humans are the biggest repertoire of stories - Talk to different people - not just your friends or peers - At times strangers may give you very valuable and fresh inputs leading to different perspectives and different stories hence. Above all - Relax, breathe and chill - Enjoy the process - Let the stories flow.

Here is a step-by-step way to improve your storytelling skills: -Learn all new story-writing terms -Get an updated writing mentor -Read different stories from the upcoming storytellers -Implement what you have learned -Keep practicing and getting feedback Remember, learn in public!

I always enjoy talking randomly with ordinary people I meet on my travels, at train stations, Grab drivers who take me out, waiters at coffee shops I stop at, and local residents in the cities I visit. Their insights not only refresh ideas for writing, but the way they explain things broadens our horizons about various ways of telling stories. This is different from the way of speaking among educated people, which generally has a pattern and we can guess.

Collaboration: Collaborate with other storytellers, artists, or creators to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, and spark creative synergy. Stay curious: Stay curious and open-minded, continuously seeking out new experiences, perspectives, and inspiration to fuel your storytelling. Reflect and iterate: Take time to reflect on your storytelling journey, celebrate your successes, and learn from your challenges. Use insights gained to iteratively refine and improve your storytelling approach over time. Embrace failure: Embrace failure as a natural part of the creative process and an opportunity for growth and learning.