Good Storytelling Starts With Good Question Asking

Good storytelling starts with good question asking.

This is something I continue to learn and grow in and it feels closely tied to "be quick to listen and slow to speak."

The way my brain works I can easily find connections, and through lines and see all sorts of possibilities but where I get in trouble is when I jump to a conclusion to quickly. 

I've had to learn - after one too many times of putting my foot squarely in my mouth - that developing a foundation of understanding, begins with laying down assumptions presuppositions and embracing the process of asking questions. 

Once this foundation is established and the questions being asked are understood, then the story can be shaped to lead forward.

Here are 7 questions to ask before building a story:

1. What is the pain point of my audience?

2. What goal does this pain prevent them from reaching?

3. Why do they need to reach this goal? What is at stake if they don't?

4. What solutions have they already tried?

5. Who else is involved? How are they impacted by the pain or outcome of the goal?

6. What would removal of pain and accomplishing the goal mean? Look like?

7. What else is informing how they decide how to move forward (budget, values, tactics etc?)

As you as these questions you'll be able to better understand the nature of what your addressing and you'll be able to then craft a story that lays out the journey your audience needs and wants to go on.

Want to learn how implement this for yourself, your team or your organization?

Contact us today: forerunnerstoryco.com/contact