The 3 Forms of Story

story design for the ted stage

By Devin D. Marks | Published Dec. 13, 2022

Story design. It is a bit more complicated than most of us initially think.

After all, there’s the story we hear, in the moment. And then...

(Well wait.)

Let's break this down visually.

Likely you’ve heard me (and many others) go on and on about that story being told 𝐍𝐎𝐖.

𝘚𝘛𝘐𝘊𝘒𝘠 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘦𝘴’ 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺, 𝘺𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘢-𝘺𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘢.

(If you want more of that — and it is good stuff — click here.)

But for now, let’s forego unpacking the Now of Story.

Move on with me to the 𝐁𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃 of Story. That's the sort of *why* that catalyzes the story.

Bobette Buster unpacks this in a recent interview with Julie Masters in the Inside Influence Podcast here. And her related TEDx Talk is here. Genius!

Others call it the origin story. That's the there where it all began — for you, your company, your family, your product, your customer...

Finally there's what I term the 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 of Story.

This is the retelling of the story. How is it being summarized — again and again — when you’re not in the room?

You shared your story, made your pitch, presented your product. Is "it" living on (being retold) in another concentrated version? If so, what form is it taking?

After all, we all should ask, "What’s the story of the story being told and retold — with decision makers — after I hit the parking lot?"

Consider, whether a sales pitch or keynote or boardroom presentation... you're not in the room for the trigger pull, right?

Much like the Behind of Story, this space, the 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 of Story is rarely considered in a systematic, problem-solving way.

My friend, Tim Pollard best catalyzes this concept in his excellent book, THE COMPELLING COMMUNICATOR.

Read the book. But first, watch his TEDx Talk here; the talk's topic is tangential, but certainly worth watching. (Note: He hits on the "story of the story" at about 7:38-min.) Tim asks, "What's the 'retellability' of your presentation"? Does your pitch enjoy "second story success"?

Brilliant.

And so, to my larger question: What form is the 𝐍𝐎𝐖 story taking in the 𝐁𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃 story and how will it inform the 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 story?

DEVIN D. MARKS is known as The TED Talk Whisperer. His firm, CONNECT to COMPEL, has served 100s of TED, TEDx, and short-talk speakers — including Harvard’s Dr. Robert Waldinger for his all-time Top 10 TEDx Talk. The result: 100s of millions of views for clients. He helps niche experts, authors, and leaders spread world-changing ideas. 

You can reach Devin at 617.804.6020, or DM him here. His newsletters are here.

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