99% of founders SUCK at storytelling. Here's the pro who taught Slack & Salesforce how to do it. | Matthew Dicks, professional storyteller & bestselling author of Storyworthy.
Professional storyteller Matthew Dicks shares insights on effective storytelling for founders. Key points include standing out with relatable stories, using simplicity and contrast, and starting stories with action. Learn how storytelling can enhance communication and connection with customers, investors, and employees.
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insights INSIGHT
Storytelling's Neurochemical Impact
Stories change brain chemistry, releasing oxytocin and endorphins.
This makes listeners feel closer to the speaker and improves their cognition.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Relatability and Story Structure
Make stories relatable by focusing on universal experiences and fears.
Design the majority of the story to support the ending's impact.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
The Power of Present Tense
Use present tense to create urgency and immerse listeners.
Present tense also allows strategic use of past tense for backstory.
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There is no better storyteller in the world than Matthew Dicks. He tells stories for a living. He gets paid by the world's biggest brands to create stories for them. He's won Moth StorySLAM (a storytelling competition in NYC) a record 59 times.
Every founder knows storytelling is a critical skill. But 99% of founders I meet are terrible storytellers. They overcomplicate, they include too much information, they try to convince with data.
Like Matthew says, "Most of what people say in business is forgettable".
Whether you want to close customers, investors or employees, you need to stand out and be remembered. And the best way to do that is to tell compelling stories that resonate.
Here's how to do it.
Why you should listen
Why the key being remembered is being different
How to use stories to stand out and resonate with customers, investors and employees
Learn how to tell an effective story that is relatable, creates suspense, and includes personal connections.
How to use personal stories to sell more product.
Why you often shouldn't start a story at the beginning.
Keywords
storytelling, business, relatability, suspense, personal connection, Slack, Salesforce, communication, connection, simplicity, contrast, value proposition, trust
Timestamps (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:52) A Story About Why Storytelling is Important (00:11:18) Deconstructing the Story (00:15:07) Keeping a Story in Present Tense (00:16:58) Start With Location and Action (00:20:41) When to Tell a Story Chronologically (00:28:13) The Story for Slack (00:35:33) Making a Pitch with No Data (00:41:51) It's not B2B or B2C-- it's H2H (00:47:57) The Goal is to be Remembered (00:52:23) Use Truth in Your Story for Relatability (00:55:11) Making up stories on the fly for portfolio companies
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