A guide to using the power of storytelling for success in business of all types and sizes, whether you’re an online marketer, advertising professional, salesperson in any field, small business owner, independent contractor, or Fortune 500 executive

The corporate world is flooded with data: spreadsheets, charts, graphs, and yawn-inducing PowerPoint presentations. But human brains are wired for stories. Stories help us make sense of the world. Stories move us in ways that data can’t, and a well-told story trumps a mountain of facts and figures.

Matthew Dicks has learned the value of storytelling in his career as a novelist, marketing consultant, and award-winning slam storyteller. He’s found that the basic principles of effective storytelling are universal and teachable. In Stories Sell, he applies those principles to business communication, guiding readers to craft stories that connect with audiences — whether a single person or a crowded auditorium.

Jam-packed with examples, Stories Sell reveals the ingredients of a compelling story and then demonstrates how they can be incorporated into persuasive marketing copy, productive face-to-face conversations, and presentations that people actually want to hear (no PowerPoint slides required!). Topics include:

• the three elements of a winning story: stakes, suspense, and surprise
• finding the right narrative structure (and why beginning at the beginning isn’t always the best method)
• the power of being vulnerable: how admitting your mistakes can build rapport with audiences
• when and how to use humor
• zigging while others zag: making yourself stand out from competitors

Above all, Stories Sell gives readers permission to be themselves, take risks, and make a splash in a sea of corporate blah. Everyday life is filled with meaningful stories if we only approach it with open eyes and open minds. Stories Sell teaches readers to find their voice and share those stories with the world.