When you hear someone tell you about their vacation, you try to be interested. All that exotic food, that astounding accommodation—it's all boring.

Yet there's a reason why it's boring.

We aren't really hearing stories, but instead, we're just getting a sequence of events. The magic to making it not boring is when you hear the sound of Thumpity-Thump-Thump-Thump-Thump. Yes, like falling downstairs. That's what storytelling is all about.

Next Step: Have a listen to—

The Storytelling Test: How To Quickly Test How Your Audience Will React To Your Story

When people ask what we do, we are often unsure what to reply.

Sometimes we may have a script that we've practiced over and over again. Yet we don't often have success with scripts, because somehow we haven't gotten the attention of the prospect.

How can we bypass the tedious answer and create a small 2-minute sales pitch that gets the prospect involved?

Learn how to use the twin powers of contradiction and demonstration to instantly get and keep attention.

Next Step: Once you finish listening to this podcast, listen to:

How To Turn An Average Elevator Pitch Into One That Gets Consistent Attention

Ever wonder what Writer's Block happens to be?

It's a form of choking under pressure. When we're called upon to speak, to write, or to do something under pressure, we almost always seem to struggle.

This choking happens even with professionals who normally breeze through their work. The big reason for this choking under pressure is partly because of the lack of the right preparation.

Instead of training under Lucy Moments, we train under Charlie Brown moments.

Let's find out how to avoid the choke and to avoid the sticky moments completely.

Next Step: Read or listen to—Writer’s Block Series: How A Lack of Energy, Not Time, Causes Writers to Stall and Crash

The hardest part of writing is usually the first few lines. However, the ending can also be quite a vexing problem.

Unless of course, you use a simple method called "sandwiching".

When you use a "sandwich", it closes the loop, leading to a very satisfying sort of finish.

How do you learn how to sandwich?

Well, listen to this story taken from The Moth Podcast and you'll see how it can be done.

Next Step:

How do you keep your reader locked into your article? Find out here.