This document provides various ideas for creating storytelling content including: using edutainment to share knowledge on industry problems; creating slideshows using stock images and hiring a voice actor; having employees create slideshow stories; telling broader impact stories visually without focusing on the company; producing documentaries and mockumentaries; improvising stories in unique locations; featuring redemption stories; conducting webcam interviews; using smartphone video equipment and lighting kits; and learning from standup comedy techniques like being truthful and focusing on the audience.

1. Storytelling Ideas
@TimWasher

2. Edutainment
• Be a good steward of the
audiences attention span,
and they will subscribe.
• People love to feel smart, so
share knowledge about an
industry problem. They will
be more likely to share it
too.
http://youtu.be/1DAR5wW19Eg

3. https://youtu.be/Z1xKpm0nURk
Slideshows
• Use still images from
Cisco library, your own
Instagram, iStockPhoto,
etc.
• Hire a pro voice-over
actor for $100 at
Voices.com

4. Employee Stories
• Give employees a concept that
they can create as a slideshow,
using photos and narration.
• Post the videos internally, and
post the best ones on youtube.
• Helps you identify storytellers,
and gets people comfortable
with producing
http://youtu.be/D7JRoQWh0SU

5. Think Visually
• Find inspiration for stories by
considering what you want to
watch on YouTube, like sharks.
• Don’t burden the story or
process by forcing your
company on it. Rather tell a
broader story about how the
technology makes an impact.
@MaritimeAqua
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

6. Documentary
• History is always interesting,
especially the spark of
inspiration that inspired an
invention. And the failures
that led up to it.
• Produce a mini-
documentary by recruiting
an industry influencer to be
the narrator. https://youtu.be/OaZWkpOVtlY

7. Mockumentary
Mystery Solved:
The Rescue of Helen of Troy
http://ow.ly/8jze30eXsJH
• “explain” how a Cisco
product influenced a
pivotal moment in
history
• Produced with light
animation, voice-over
and music

8. Unique Location
• At Cisco CIO Summit, we
improvised short scenes in
the hotel restaurant with
customers
• Created a concept that fit the
available location
• Customers had a blast while
telling their story
https://youtu.be/cL5bjJCpJIY?t=3s

9. Redemption
• Redemption is the most power
theme in storytelling.
• We’ve all experienced the
sting of failure. Seeing others
experience struggles, and
overcome them, gives us
comfort and hope.
• Business stories don’t need to
be overly dramatic, but
everyone loves even a light
turnaround story.
http://youtu.be/HW3MJhwTV2k

10. Webcam Show
• Recorded with (Ann’s side)
and a camcorder (my side)
because we didn’t like the
look of the split screen.
https://www.youtube.com/user/BMTBD/
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-record-
skype-calls/

11. Interview Q’s
• What inspired you to get into this career?
• What was your biggest failure, and what
insight did that lead to?
• What is your team most proud of?
• Tell me about the “eureka” moment that led
to your invention ?

12. SmartPhone Video Studio
• A mini-tripod makes it easy to
record steady video. No need
to provide the audience with
Dramamine
http://bhpho.to/RwHwCd
• Lavalier microphone reduces
background noise. Helpful for
spontaneous interviews at
conferences.
http://bhpho.to/tzOrHX

13. LED Light Kit
• This adjustable light works
incredibly well for an interview
(about a 6’ range)
• LED prevents harsh look for
most office lighting.
• Helpful if you take video
conference calls from your
basement.
• Vidpro K-120 On-Camera LED
Video Light Kit - $80
http://bhpho.to/JASPDA

14. Clamp Light
• At Home Depot or Lowes
for about $7.
• Add an LED bulb for $20-
$25
• A regular soft light bulb will
work too, and you can use a
translucent white shower
curtain as a diffuser to
reduce shadows / harshness

15. Recording webcam interviews
• Upgrade to an HD webcam, such as the Logitech 920
(approx $70), or one of the newer models.
• They make a big difference on the visual quality.
• Most will include an upgraded microphone, but I prefer a
lav mic to reduce the room echo.
• Find a blogger or influencer to interview, and record by
Skype or Google Hangouts.
• “How to record a Skype Call” via CNET [link]

16. Lessons from Standup Comedy
• Above all, be truthful and vulnerable
• Shift focus from what you want to say to
what the audience will hear
• Comedy comes from pain
• The more specific your story is, the more
universal it becomes