The Presentation That No One Remembered…

My wife, Elysha, and I are attending an education conference. We are both teachers with more than 40 years of combined public school experience.

We love what we do and care about our students.

We’re excited to be here.

The first speaker tells a story about his immigrant parents and the sacrifices they made to ensure he had a bright future. He places a metallic lunchbox on a stool and talks about how that lunchbox was the social capital he required to make friends in elementary school, and even though his parents were barely scraping enough money together to eat, they always made sure he had the latest and greatest lunchbox every year.

They wanted him to make friends and find acceptance in his new country.

He reminded us of the sacrifices parents — immigrants or not — make every day for their kids. As teachers, we must honor those sacrifices by working like hell to give them the best education possible.

Elysha and I had tears in our eyes when he was done speaking.

I’ll never forget him or his message.

The last speaker of the afternoon — the keynote speaker — spoke for twice as long. He talked about equity in education. The digital divide. Economic disparity.
Five minutes after he was done speaking, I asked Elysha, “What did that last speaker say? Specifically, I mean. Can you tell me anything he said with any specificity?”

She thought for a moment. “Not really. It’s funny. I can’t really remember much of what he said.”

Neither did I.

This happens every day in boardrooms, conferences, lecture halls, auditoriums, and meetings everywhere. Brilliant ideas die slow, painful deaths because they’re delivered in boring, forgettable ways.

If you can’t keep your audience engaged, your message disappears into the void. But there’s a solution—storytelling.

Why Your Presentation Is Failing

Most presentations fail for one simple reason: they lack story. They fail to produce visual images in the mind of the audience. They do not connect emotionally or intellectually. They lack stakes, suspense, surprise, and humor.

They are almost intentionally forgettable.

We’ve been conditioned to believe that business communication should be formal, data-driven, and “professional.”
The problem?

People don’t remember data. They remember stories. When all you offer is bullet points, statistics, and dense explanations, you ask your audience to do the heavy lifting—connecting the dots, interpreting the meaning, and figuring out why they should care.

Most won’t bother.

Instead of treating your presentation like a data dump, think of it as a performance. Your job isn’t just to inform—it’s to capture attention, connect to the audience, and inspire action. And the best way to do that?

Tell a story. And when you’re not telling a story, use the principles of storytelling to make your content engaging and memorable.

The Science Behind Storytelling in Presentations

Storytelling isn’t just a creative tool—it’s a biological hack. When we listen to dry facts, only the language-processing parts of our brain activate. But when we hear a compelling story, something incredible happens:

• Our sensory cortex lights up, making us visualize the story as if we were experiencing it ourselves.
• The brain releases dopamine, increasing focus and retention.
• Oxytocin, the “trust hormone,” is produced, making us more likely to feel connected to the speaker.

This means that a well-told story doesn’t just entertain—it sticks. If you want people to remember your ideas long after your presentation ends, you need to weave storytelling into how you communicate.

How to Use Storytelling to Save Your Presentation

To transform your presentations from forgettable to powerful, apply these storytelling techniques:

1. Start with a Story, Not a Statistic

Most presenters open with something like: “Today, I’m going to talk about our company’s latest innovation.” Boring. Instead, start with a real-life moment that grabs attention: “Three years ago, we had an idea that no one believed in. Today, it’s changing the way businesses operate.” Immediately, you’ve created intrigue.

2. Make Your Audience the Hero

People don’t care about products, services, or initiatives. They care about how those things affect them. Instead of making yourself or your company the star of your presentation, position your audience as the protagonist. Show how your message solves their problem, improves their life, or changes their perspective.

3. Use Conflict and Resolution

A great story has stakes—something to be gained or lost. Don’t just present a solution; highlight the struggle that led to it. What challenges did you face? What roadblocks had to be overcome? This tension keeps audiences engaged and makes the resolution (your key message) feel rewarding.

4. Engage the Senses

Instead of saying, “Our product speeds up processing time,” say, “Imagine cutting your workflow in half—what would you do with that extra time?” Bring your audience into the experience, making your message more tangible and memorable.

5. End with a Call to Action That Resonates

Most presentations end with a weak conclusion: “That’s all I have for today. Thanks for listening.” Instead, leave your audience with a challenge, a thought-provoking question, or a vision of the future that sticks with them.

Storytelling Transforms Presentations—And Your Influence

The difference between a forgettable presentation and one that sparks action is storytelling. Whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a team, or delivering a keynote, the ability to craft and tell a compelling story is the key to influence and impact.

Want to master the art of storytelling for business?

Join our FREE Storytelling Academy where you’ll learn how to captivate audiences, structure your message, and make every presentation unforgettable.

And for the first time, I’m offering two high-impact, 6-week Mastermind Accelerators, designed to completely change the way you communicate.

Only 20 seats per Accelerator—once they’re gone, they’re gone.

I can’t wait to work with you inside these game-changing programs. Let’s take your storytelling to the next level.

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