Podcast
#171: How Tiny Proverbs Have Huge Impact in Your Business Storytelling
#171: How Tiny Proverbs Have Huge Impact in Your Business Storytelling
I love wordplay. You’ve heard me say things like, “storytelling is the Velcro of collaboration” or “an anecdote is the antidote”.
I’m just using the storytelling powder keg of proverbs to make an explosive impact. But I never realized the power of these tiniest of stories until I read Ron Ploof’s new book, The Proverb Effect: Secrets to Creating Tiny Phrases That Change the World.
What’s the difference between a parable and a proverb? And, how can you use them in your business?
Ron has spent decades using the power of storytelling in business, and in fact was one of our first guests on the Business of Story a few years ago sharing how to create a pitch-perfect story.
On this week’s show, Ron is going to show you how you can use proverbs, the tiniest of stories, to make your points stick.
After all, there’s something to be said about the fact that proverbs are remembered for centuries:
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Fortune favors the bold.
Short and simple, yet so impactful. That’s something we should work harder to apply to our own business storytelling communications.
Tune in to hear how you can create your own proverbs to convey your stories with less words. And don’t forget “the benefit rule”, meaning the proverb is always useful for the listener immediately.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- The three families of proverbs and which one to choose depending on the outcome you’re looking for with your storytelling
- Why our minds love proverbs based in metaphor
- And what kind of finish, like conviction, rhythm and rhyme, or double use, will work best for you
Quotes
“A proverb is the ultimate long-story-short.” — Ron Ploof
“The best way to become a better storyteller is just to tell stories.” — Ron Ploof
“PowerPoints don’t kill audiences. But PowerPoints riddled with bullets kill audiences. Use your stories. ” — Park Howell
“All proverbs are based in metaphor.” — Ron Ploof
Mentioned In This Episode
- The Proverb Effect by Ron Ploof
- #16: Pitch Perfect Storytelling with Ron Ploof on the Business of Story podcast
- Wolfgang Mieder, Professor of German and Folklore
- The Secret Life of Pronouns by James Pennebaker
- StoryHow.com
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