Are you a master at telling stories in your business presentations? Or do you put people in a content coma? Here are my key takeaways from a masterful storyteller, Doug Stevenson, and his Google Talk "The Power to Persuade - The Magic of Story." This could be the Hollywood ticket for you and me in making memorable -- and lucrative -- business presentations in the future.

1. Storytelling Is
Serious Business.
DOUG STEVENSON GOOGLE TALK: THE POWER TO
PERSUADE – THE MAGIC OF STORY
HIGHLIGHTS BY @CAROLEDUPRE

2. Masterful At Story
Are you masterful at telling stories in your business presentations? Or do
you put your listeners into a content coma?
Doug Stevenson’s Google Talk, “The Power to Persuade – The Magic of
Story,” might be your Hollywood ticket to making your presentations
memorable -- and lucrative.
Here are my favorite highlights of his talk, and how to get his 9 Steps to
Story Structure, free.
“Storytelling and business
is very serious business.”
- Doug Stevenson

3. Emotion Is the Fast Lane to the Brain
 We don’t remember things that are not “emotionally charged.” Just
think about your favorite movie or childhood moment and how it
made you feel.
 People want and need to connect emotionally to business
presentations, too. Otherwise stuff doesn’t stick.
“Emotion is the fast lane to the brain.
Infuse your presentation with emotion.”
-Doug Stevenson

4. Stories Are Products
 Stories are products. They can be monetized. They can make you
money.
 Doug Stevenson’s Story Theater Method: “Expands your ability to
engage, inform, entertain and grab people’s attention. “
Story is the most important communication tool
you have to make your presentations memorable.

5. What’s Your Story Worth?
 What’s your story? Is it worth working through it so you can monetize
it and turn it into a million-dollar story?
 Think of story as a vehicle. Ask, “What do I need a story to
teach/do?”
 Make one clear and concise point with every story.
Phrase that Pays: “What I learned was …”
- Doug Stevenson

6. Should Your Story Be True?
 Tell true stories, only. And yes, you can embellish them.
 Tell personal stories rather than stories about other people.
 A story should be as long as it takes to be powerful. The guideline is
3-6 minutes.
 Be willing to share stories about a time when you messed up. “I was
doing this thing. It didn’t turn out how it was supposed to. This is what
I learned.”
 Create the scene, surround yourself in a three-dimensional space,
make it visual, physical and emotional.

7. How to Choose Your Stories
 Start with the point in mind that you want to make or teach.
 The key to story is the “iceberg moment,” such as a crisis, obstacle or
challenge. Think Titanic.
 The story itself doesn’t have to be profound or dramatic. (See the
video at the end of this SlideShare -- Mr. Stevenson shows great
examples of this in his Google Talk).
 The story could be about a turning point in your life, or about
empathy, integrity or innovation. Go back to a certain time in your
life, where you lived, where you were working, your relationships.
Mentally scan moments in your life, and link one back to what you
want to teach.

8. What’s “In Moment?”
 “In moment” is where “theater” of Story Theater Method comes in.
It’s the intense re-creation of a moment in time while telling your
story.
 Don’t describe emotions – show them, relive them, feel them.
 Use two-person dialogue to make the story come alive.
A speaker’s job is to deliver information in a way that
motivates people to listen, remember and act.
– Doug Stevenson

9. Get 9 Steps to Story Structure:
What I enjoyed most about Mr. Stevenson’s Google Talk is the way he
embodies his method of story telling to show you his method. He shows
rather than tells. It’s what we strive to do as business presenters. It’s worth a
watch. For quick access, the video is embedded on the next slide.
To get 9 Steps to Story Structure:
 Send an email to doug@dougstevenson.com
 Subject line: Google handout.
 Mr. Stevenson will email a PDF of his Nine Steps of Story Structure.
Thanks for reading and helping to save us all from future content comas.
From @caroledupre, strategic brand developer, marketer and writer.