-
3 Ways To Add Depth To Your Storytelling
October 28, 2022
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Topics: on-air, DJs, radio show, radio personality
-
One of the easiest ways to help understand layering depth into your storytelling is with food. If you’ve ever made lasagna, you understand layering, but there’s more to it than that. Stay with me.
There’s a difference between going through the Taco Bell drive-thru and dining at a high-quality Mexican restaurant. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Taco Bell. But it’s memorable when you experience a 5-star dish that makes every one of your taste buds pop.
The chef took extra time, used the freshest ingredients, and delivered it to you in an elegant presentation. The chef was intentional and deliberate with you in mind. That’s depth of flavor and care.
BUILD LAYERS OF FLAVOR
Here are easy 3 ways to add depth to your storytelling.
1. Colorful adjectives - use descriptive words in your storytelling like Bob Ross. I wrote about this here. RESULT: your story will come to life with depth of colors.
2. Economy of words - say what you need to say in as few words as possible …and don’t repeat yourself. RESULT: your descriptive words will pop out with more meaning and without wasting the listener’s time.
3. Pause - you CAN stop talking to add dramatic effect. Maybe not too much so that the silent sensor kicks in and calls the engineer about dead air …but you get the point. RESULT: pausing gives the listener a moment to really soak in what you just said.
HERE’S THE TAKEAWAY
It takes practice and intention to implement fresh ideas, so don’t get frustrated. Keep exercising these new muscles, and over time you’ll become one of the best storytellers at your station …or maybe even in your market.
After spending 25+ years working at some really great radio stations, Todd launched a coaching and consulting business, Beyond615.com, on March 15, 2021. There he strives to help others build confidence so that they can connect on a deeper level. He also serves as the Contemporary Christian Format Editor at AllAccess.com. He and his family live in the (615) area code, aka the heart of the CCM industry.