On a recent cruise I gave 5 special interest lectures on Social Media to the sailing demographic.

Related: 5 Special Interest Lectures Aboard the Azamara Quest

It is not surprising to me that I was able to touch my audience by various means.

I talked a lot … I connected audibly.

I showed a lot of pictures … I connected visually.

I shared good information … I satisfied a desire to learn.

I had an overarching message … I reached some on an emotional level.

I had great slides … there were stories within my presentation.

I told stories … “Social Media what? That story told resonated with me the most.”

Listeners don’t remember your content nearly as well as they remember your stories. And they will remember your stories if they can ‘see’ them as well.

7 Steps to Good Storytelling for the Cruise Ship Lecturer

Good cruise ship speakers will connect with their listeners in a variety of ways and on different levels.

Good lecturers have a dialog with their listeners. Talk with, not to their listeners.

Good seminar leaders tell good stories that reinforce their overall focus.

Good storytellers tell, well, um, good stories. Desired outcome, challenges, how to overcome.

Good stories are those that the audience can identify with. I never understood the appeal of watching downhill skiing until I skied downhill.

Good stories are those when you can hear the dialog, when your listeners can close their eyes and imagine they are right there, right then.

Actions speak louder than words. Your audience can see the story, too!

In future posts, I want to break down some of the elements of good storytelling.

Done well, your audience can see, hear and experience the story while getting the point and its relation to your overall talk.