Polka Dotted Pig

Movies or Meetings

Facebook or TV

The Power of Storytelling

By

Wade M. Weber & Amy ForetteIowa State University Extension and Outreach

AUDIENCES ARE CHANGING

In an age of infobesity, being able to communicate Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s message with relevance and timeliness is as important as ever. When presenting with large or small audiences, I used to think it was 90% content and 10% how, but now it really is 50-50. The how is more important than ever.

THREE WORD IMAGES TO ENABLE SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Polka Dotted Pig – Unique elements in presentation. Utilize Mavens (persons outside your industry to give you additional perspective) and Mystery (adding narrative, involving unanswered questions, sharing unresolved challenges, etc.)

(Question: What could you do to increase the polka-dotted pigs in your communication?)

Movies or Meetings – Engagement that involves story, conflict, action and resolution. Nancy Duarte says vary what could be with what is throughout your message

Meetings Movies

1) Data Drama

2) Words Action

3) Obstacles Conflict

4) Goals Resolution

(Question: What steps can you take to make your messages more like movies?)

Facebook or Television – plan for interaction and participation around questions

E – Experiential

P - Participatory

I – Image-Rich

C - Connected

(Question: How EPIC is your communication? How might you involve your listeners in more interactive ways?)

RESOURCES

Referenced from Habitudes for Communicators – Dr. Tim Elmore;

http://newscred.com/theacademy/learn/visual-storytelling

http://neomam.com/interactive/13reasons/

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