Viral Storytelling with The Story Lady, Ronda Del Boccio

I just read Russell conwell’s “Acres of Diamonds” speech for the first time.  Actually, I haven’t yet finished reading it, but something caught my attention so much that I had to share it with you right away.

It’s funny how, when a story is retold, certain bits get edited out.  I actually heard an audio recording of Acres of Diamonds for the first time last week.  Had I heard of it?  Sure.  As a matter of fact, I had that particular CD for a couple of months.  It came as a bonus with something I purchased, and I had not yet gotten around to listening to it.

Anyway, I would lay odds that unless you’ve read Conwell’s original speech, you have not heard or seen this particular paragraph:

“The old guide was leading my camel by its halter along the banks of those ancient rivers, and he told me story after story until I grew weary of his story-telling and ceased to listen. I have never been irritated with that guide when he lost his temper as I ceased listening. But I remember that he took off his Turkish cap and swung it in a circle to get my attention. I could see it through the corner of my eye, but I determined not to look straight at him for fear he would tell another story. But although I am not a woman, I did finally look, and as soon as I did he went right into another story.”

The emphasis there was mine, but it made me think of a storytelling principle.

Stories are the most powerful connector of people, because in sharing stories, we share our lives and our perceptions.  HOWEVER, a tale told in a particular way will cause people to tune you out.

This is why it is important to have a point to the stories you tell in your business and recognize that you are leading people with your tales.  

Once the guide got Russell Conwell’s attention, he told the story that has glittered at the heart of so many speeches, songs, and info products.

Indeed, Russell Conwell’s attention had to be drawn back.  The guide told so many stories, and perhaps too many of them were not relevant to the young American’s interests.

This coming week I will be the guest in the “hot seat” for two different teleseminars.  Dr. Ben Mack will worm as many juicy secrets out of me as he can Tuesday night (June 12) on the Magic Teleseminar (9 PM EDT)  We will help you craft magical, meaningful stories that magnetize people to you and hold their attention.

When I share Storyation Wednesday night at 9 PM EDT June 13, Erik Stafford, The Faster Webmaster, will ask me about storytelling in webpages and email responder messages..

Stories that capture and hold the interest of your audience, whether spoken or written, are the kind of tales you want to tell.  You don’t want to make your listener or reader’s attention wander away …

There are acres of diamonds in your own life in the form of your experiences and the wisdom you have acquired.  But you have to dig them up and polish them a bit for the world to know they are shining with in you.

And if you feel your yarns are unraveling and that you need to tell better stories, you will want to join the League of Extraordinary Storyators!

Follow your bliss!

Ronda Del Boccio, The Story Lady of www.Storyation.com