As presentation designers and trainers, we often cite famous TED talks as a way to explain some of our core principles. This in mind, we frequently discuss the impact of using multiple stories throughout a presentation to better explain key points and make the talk more memorable. The more stories used for each main point, the more memorable the talk will be.
But what if you want to deliver a presentation about one singular story, without an array of key takeaways or main points? What if that story was anecdotal, like a tale about a trip abroad or a story about your childhood?
For lessons in telling a singular, often hilarious story, we recommend taking a lesson from TED speaker and comedian James Veitch in “The Agony of Trying to Unsubscribe.” Watch below:
Within 7 minutes, Veitch is able to make the audience laugh and share a story of his own struggle with automated email chains. But what makes this TED-worthy? And what lessons can we learn from it as storytellers?
The Struggle is Real
Part of that makes “Unsubscribe” so successful is that the problem is felt universally. As with all TED talks great and small, a problem is described to the audience in a way that either makes them feel empathy or sympathy. As you share your story, make sure that you describe the “villain” or problem in such a way that the audience can understand or relate.
Be the Hero
Even in the structure of a humorous story, Veitch is able to insert himself in the role of hero. Failed hero, perhaps, but still an ordinary person taking a stand against something much larger and somewhat sinister: endless corporate spam emails with no end in sight. If you are the star of your story, make sure you address how you faced the struggle at hand, and whether or not you succeeded in the end.
A Larger Cause
This talk is TED-worthy because at core, it’s about how frustrating it is to live inside of the cycle of endless emails and the deja vu of pressing the unsubscribe button. Veitch’s solution is to find the humor or “whimsy” in modern life, which is more nuanced and uplifting than even the narrative of his story suggests. It’s an encouraging, surprisingly deep moral at the end. If you want to accomplish the same effect, make sure that your presentation finishes with a call to action that relates back to your story. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be worthy of TED. It can even be as simple as asking your audience to smile more, think about a particular topic more often, or go on a walk. The thing that separates a presentation narrative and a stand-up comedy routine is this poignant final moment that gives the audience something to chew on.
Want to learn more from other new and inspiring TED talks? Check out these related analysis blogs from our archives:
The TED staff answers: What Makes A Great TED Talk?
4 Presentation Lessons from Adam Driver’s TED Talk
6 TED Talks To Help You Succeed At Work And Life
