What do you do if you’re unsure of how to start your story?

Stories need a strong beginning, going beyond introducing your name, business, or saying, “I’m going to share a short story.”

Hook your audience, entice them to choose to listen.

Here are four strategies with how to start your story:

1) Being with dialogue or action.

If I were sharing a story of my son’s dread of going to the doctor, I may start with the following dialogue, “I don’t want to go to the doctor again, my son screams…” or use action: “My son is kicking and screaming, as I’m dragging him to the car. It’s one of many doctor’s appointments to treat his cancer.”

2) Describe the setting or where you are.

Setting up the scene with a description provides sensory details and word pictures to draw your audience into that space and time. “My car bumped down the long, gravel driveway, following a scurrying skunk straight into my white garage. This is my first home, on a farm, with my new husband.”

3) Begin with a background information or where you are in that moment in time.

Dive right into that moment. Put your listener where you were. Opening the large manila folder, I knew it to be true. I’d made it. I was accepted as a Walt Disney World Cast Member.

4) Ask the audience a question.

What would you do if you learned your grandmother had three months to live?

By a show of hands, how many of you have thought about what it would be like to be 80 years old?

It’s all about knowing how to start your story and building from there.

Stories need to be clear, purposeful, and relatable to their audience for the greatest impact. Having a clear intention and with a little preparation, your story can connect to your audience.