So, you’ve never told a story before. Don’t worry, you are a storyteller. We all tell stories in our day to day lives, sharing what we have done that day over dinner, talking on the phone, chatting with friends and reading to the kids. Because we are relaxed and not thinking about it these stories flow out of us naturally and effortlessly. With my top tips I will be showing you how you can be equally relaxed and confident about storytelling using traditional tales, myths and legends. I will take you through the whole process from how to learn a story through to telling the story. These tips are for anyone who wants to share a good story with any audience, whether that be professionally or to family and friends.

Here are my Top 5 Tips to learning a story. Its goo to try out different ways to remember your story, you may find you learn better aurally, visually or kinetically. Most importantly remember that learning a story is not to learn it word for word. You want to tell the story in your own words.

1. Try starting with a written version of the story, either written down by you or from a book. Download my ebooks for inspiration. Read over and over.

2. Write the story down in your own words. This will help you absorb the narrative. You can then simplify this onto note form focusing on key moments or words that will trigger your memory and remind you of the story structure.

3. Try learning your story aurally. Record yourself telling the story and listen repeatedly. Perhaps you are a kinetic learner. If so, record the story, put it on your ipod and learn it whilst you walk to the train station.

4. Visualise the story. Find a quiet place and think through the story, visualising each ‘scene’.

5. Finally, whatever techniques you use to learn the story, it will not be truly committed to memory until you have spoken the story. You will have to say it out loud. It may feel strange at first but don’t be afraid, it gets easier! Find a quiet solitary space to say the story aloud. Try it in the bath or in the car, anywhere you have a few quiet moments.

Next are my Top 5 Tips for telling a story.

1. Make sure your audience is ready, quiet and listening. Make sure you are ready, focused and calm. Have some water with you if you need it.

2. Remember that this is storytelling not acting. Be yourself, relax and enjoy yourself. It does not need to be word perfect, in fact it should be different and unique each time you tell it.

3. Make eye contact. This is the most effect way of connecting with your listeners. Storytelling is a shared experience between teller and audience so everything is directed to your listeners. Don’t be tempted to look away at an imaginary character beside you. Your not trying to be all the characters in your story, you are being a storyteller and sharing an engaging tale.

4. Enhance the story with changes in rhythm, sound effects and repetition. These elements may not be already in your story so be creative about adding them in.

5. Have a clear beginning and end, even if its just the traditional ‘Once upon a time’ and ‘happily ever after’. Even better make up one of your own.

With these tips you should be able to try out telling your first story with confidence and ease. I hope it will be the first of many!