How to Make Compelling Narratives in the Virtual World
There’s a story behind everything: why a musician composed his masterpiece, why a photo of a girl dancing in the rain was taken, and why an artist painted his magnum opus. There are many stories out there, and there are many ways to tell a tale. In the virtual space, the challenge lies in standing out among all the narratives.
There’s a story behind everything: why a musician composed his masterpiece, why a photo of a girl dancing in the rain was taken, and why an artist painted his magnum opus. There are many stories out there, and there are many ways to tell a tale. In the virtual space, the challenge lies in standing out among all the narratives. According to TeamAsia’s Managing Director and chief storyteller Bea Lim, the key is in the delivery, where even the most seemingly mundane idea or presentation can be communicated in an interesting manner. “Relevant and compelling stories can make ideas stick. It is essential for one to master proper delivery in order to excel in presenting your ideas, whether it be face-to-face or in the virtual space,” Lim mused.
In TeamAsia’s recent Let’s TAlk session, Lim shared her expertise and personal experience in telling captivating stories by answering the most pressing storytelling questions. From her take on the most effective stories to the important factors in telling one’s narrative, Lim bared some secrets behind her successes as a seasoned storyteller.
Stories that Stick
Storytelling is about igniting passion and inciting action. It is so much deeper than just entertainment and getting stories out there. When asked when it would be appropriate to tell funny stories, Lim said that the time is now. “We need narratives now that inspire people and motivate them to move forward. We should never stop telling stories that are funny or not that serious. However, we shouldn’t be tone-deaf. It’s just about being sensitive to what’s going on out there, and using your own personal style and sense of humor to help people find the silver lining in a difficult situation,” Lim explained.
With so many stories out in the virtual world, the hot question was, “what stories are the most effective?” As per Lim, there are a lot of stories that people can relate to, but the secret sauce lies in how one shares his or her story in a unique way. How one spices up a story is the X factor that makes a story effective, especially in the online space.
More than Words
Storytelling is more than just words. Aside from the words in the narrative itself, there are other factors that one should consider in order to make ideas resonate and to compel one’s audience.
The audience is just as vital as the narrative itself. After being asked the most important factor in the storytelling, Lim talked about how one should never forget the audience. A good storyteller puts themselves in their audience’s shoes in order to imagine what they would like to hear. The point of one’s story is to resonate with the audience so they feel connected to the storyteller.
Aside from the audience, the visuals are a prime factor in storytelling as it helps drive the point home even more. When questioned if the importance of visuals change in the virtual space, Lim discussed the impact of visuals in helping the storyteller get their point across. “People would rather see visuals than something text-heavy in the virtual world, and so one should choose visuals that would best represent the narrative,” Lim said.
Stage presence is a part of storytelling, and in the online space, it is essential for the storyteller to create an environment that draws the audience to them. After being asked how one can command stage presence on screen, Lim explained that the storyteller should consider different elements such as his or her background, personal brand and virtual image. While being on a screen limits one’s physical distance with the audience, the storyteller can still connect with people through passionate or exciting voices, dressing up with an outfit that commands attention, and having a background that relates to the topic.
There are many interesting stories in the virtual world, and it takes a little extra sparkle and spice to rise above the clutter, and make your stories resonate with a wider audience. As with anything, practice makes perfect, and it’s essential to keep on learning to improve your storytelling skills.
To be ahead of the curve in this day and age, it’s important for you to continue upskilling, and learning. Investing in learning is needed for building critical skills now to prepare for what’s ahead. As your learning partner, TeamAsia Training Online is here to help you achieve success in driving organizational growth for a better normal.
TeamAsia Training Online is driven by TeamAsia’s 28 years of experience in marketing communications and its proprietary strategic marketing approach, Integrated Marketing Experience (IME) that empowers audiences to actively take part in a brand’s story by engaging them across multiple communication channels.
Ready to take your storytelling skills to the next level? Jump start your online learning journey by emailing us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to know more.
