Telling Your Story

by Angela Gallogly

Vice President of USA Operations, Advanced Team Concepts

http://www.atctraining.com

My friend and I got together over coffee last week, and he was detailing the challenges and rewards he's been experiencing with the start of a new professional endeavor. He's currently looking for financing and had the opportunity to do some important networking at a recent community function. He admitted that when a potential backer asked for details about his interests and efforts, he fell short on sharing a compelling and complete story.

This happens to many of us and has definitely happened to me. We have hopes, successes, needs and ambitions that we aren't able to articulate. When this occurs, we find ourselves surprised that what's in our head and our heart isn't communicated as easily as we thought it would be. It's not that we haven't got the ideas, the passion and the drive. We just haven't prepared our story. We fall short in the communication, and the result is often a missed opportunity.

Examples might include:

• Representing your business. Being able to verbalize your products and services, and why they're the best.


• Supporting a personal interest. Maybe you're passionate about a nonprofit or ministry effort and need to be able to educate and engage others.


• Looking for a job. When you're networking and interviewing, you've got to confidently and concisely communicate what you're interested in and why you'd be the best choice.


• Making a pitch at work. When you want to communicate a plan or idea, getting buy-in might depend on you telling the story well.

These are just a couple of examples, and of course I could list many more. But regardless of the situation, my experience has taught me the importance of preparation.

When I have an important story to tell, I start by writing it down. This allows me to add the appropriate details and edit any potential rambling or off-subject information. I like the idea of an elevator pitch - I imagine riding on an elevator with a key contact. In that amount of time, what would I want this person to know? I also imagine who this person might be so I'm writing to the correct audience. I usually create bullets, rather than a script, so I won't sound stilted and disingenuous. The last thing I want to do is deliver a rehearsed sales pitch. I want my story to be natural and real.

Then I practice. When you read your story out loud, you might find that it sounds different than you intended. This step often leads me to some additional editing. Once I'm comfortable with content, I practice until I can communicate each bullet smoothly, without relying on my notes. Then I know I'm ready to tell my story.

It might be a potential job or promotion, a sales opportunity, a fundraiser, or a new business process for your work team. Everyone has a story to tell. Think of your own. What do you care about, and where do you need support? Who will your audience be, and what will you say? Are you prepared? Don't miss your opportunity!