The Three Essential Techniques to Unforgettable Storytelling
Have you ever listened to a story that didn’t just entertain you, but actually moved you, changed your perspective, or ignited a fire in your spirit? What separates a tale that is merely “okay” from one that becomes part of your personal memory and legacy?
Learn How to Leverage Your Story through our Story To Asset Framework.
For African and African diaspora entrepreneurs and changemakers, mastering the art of storytelling is not just a skill; it is a vital, strategic asset. Your story, your heritage, your journey, your struggles, and your triumphs are the unique currency of your business. Nigerian writer Obehi Ewanfoh, who brings his Esan heritage and decades of experience in storytelling and identity studies to his work from his base in Verona, Italy, has always championed this truth.
Since his early writing journey with his first book, Round My Mind, and his commitment to identity and legacy studies since 2002, Obehi has shown that authentic personal narratives are the foundation of true impact.
Obehi’s deep research (The Journey) into the African presence in Verona and northern Italy, a ten-year commitment, profoundly shaped his understanding of how memory and legacy building can transform one’s life and legacy.
He understands that your personal narrative is the key to unlocking the Story to Asset Framework, our proprietary solution designed to help you turn your lived experience into a powerful business tool.
Let’s explore three essential storytelling techniques, straight from Obehi’s perspective, to help you own your story and transform it into a compelling force for self-empowerment, community building, and celebration.
Technique One: Launch Right Into the Action
The master storyteller, much like a seasoned hunter, does not waste time circling the bush; they go straight to the heart of the matter.
A wise African proverb says, “The lizard that fell from a high Iroko tree said it would praise itself if no one else did.” This saying reminds us to take initiative, to be decisive, and in storytelling, to be immediate.
The best narratives don’t begin with a lengthy setup of the weather or the character’s life history; they plunge you directly into a moment of forward momentum, action, or crisis. This is how you hook your audience and connect them to your roots.
Instead of writing a slow, contextual introduction, Obehi advises starting with a scene: a simple action that immediately engages the senses and sparks curiosity.
- “It was the day after I had finally registered my business in Accra, and the phone rang; it was a number I didn’t recognize, calling from London.”
- “She slammed the ledger onto the table, the sound echoing through the quiet office, and I knew the time for excuses was over.”
- “At 4:00 AM, deep in a village in Esanland of Edo State, the rooster’s call jolted me awake, and a bold question struck my mind: Why am I building my business far away from my people?”
See how these examples instantly pull you into the story? The audience is now traveling with you, wondering: What was in that phone call? What does that ledger reveal? Why did he wake up so early with such a profound question?
By starting with action, you are honoring the tradition of oral storytelling, where the elder captivatingly begins the tale, holding the attention of everyone gathered. This immediate engagement is the first step in creating a memorable story and strengthening your collaborative connection with your audience.
Technique Two: Show, Do Not Tell
Emotion is the universal language of human connection. The most unforgettable stories are those that evoke deep feeling, but a simple label like “sad” or “happy” is often a barrier, not a bridge.
To truly empower your audience and make your content inspirational, you must make them feel the emotion. Obehi, whose 2011 award-winning documentary Creating the Blackness of Africa and his 2015’s Pan-Africanism: Testing Ideas on Reality are testaments to the power of visual narrative, stresses the importance of making your stories visual.
We must move beyond telling the audience how a character felt, and instead, show them what that feeling looked like, sounded like, or felt like physically. This is where the Story to Asset Framework truly begins to shine; your vulnerability becomes a visual, relatable asset. Consider the difference:
- Telling: My mentor was very proud of my presentation.
- Showing: My mentor’s shoulders relaxed for the first time all week, and he gave me a slow nod, his eyes crinkling at the corners with an approving smile.
- Telling: I was terrified before speaking to the investors.
- Showing: The microphone felt like a block of ice in my clammy hand, and the words caught in my throat, forcing me to take a shaky, silent breath before I could begin.
This technique makes your story instantly more vibrant and real. Ask yourself: When I experience pride, nervousness, or surprise, how does my body physically respond?
- Does my voice drop?
- Do I clench my teeth?
- Does my leg start trembling?
Showing these details is crucial for building memory and legacy, as it allows your audience to step into your shoes. It is how you own your story and make it a shared experience, connecting people of African diaspora to their roots.
Technique Three: Bring in the Dialogue
The world of the story truly comes alive when you can hear the voices of the people in it. Dialogue is not just an exchange of words; it is a powerful time machine that instantly transports your listener back to that crucial moment.
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Using the exact words spoken, or a sharp, authentic approximation, adds a layer of raw realism that no amount of description can match. It gives the narrative texture and provides an immediate emotional trigger.
As a Nigerian writer from Edo State, Obehi understands that the cadence and power of spoken words are at the heart of African communication and community building. He witnessed it first-hand throughout his long research, entering into the houses and community gatherings, meeting people from different cultural backgrounds to listen to their stories.
Now, imagine you are sharing a lesson about persistence in business:
- Weak Summary: After three months of trying, my business partner finally admitted that my strategy was a failure.
- Powerful Dialogue: I remember sitting across from her in that small café in Lagos when she finally pushed her coffee cup away and said, clear as a bell, “My friend, your strategy is not working. We need a new path, and we need it today.”
Or perhaps you are describing a moment of self-empowerment:
- Weak Summary: My manager offered me a promotion, and I felt validated.
- Powerful Dialogue: He looked me dead in the eye, that day in the Verona office, and simply said, “Obehi, your commitment to telling the story of the African diaspora is too vital to be limited. We’re giving you the resources to expand your vision.”
Even if you cannot recall the precise words, use your creative freedom to craft a statement that is sharp, emotionally potent, and reflects the authentic feeling of that moment. This use of dialogue solidifies your narrative, making the insight and the lesson far more immediate and actionable for your audience.
The Power of Your Untold Story
These three techniques, launching into action, showing emotion, and using dialogue—are the fundamental components of Obehi Ewanfoh’s approach to structured storytelling.
They are the keys to leveraging the Story to Asset Framework and transforming your unique background into a robust strategic business asset.
Obehi’s own journey, from writing Round My Mind to hosting The Obehi Podcast, featuring over 1000 interviews with professionals across the African diaspora and beyond, illustrates the power of this commitment.
His long experience in tourism in Verona also informs his view that every location, every experience, and every person has a story of roots to relevance waiting to be uncovered. You can explore the wealth of resources available at AClasses Media, which hosts over 2000 insightful articles on these topics.
You can also learn more by connecting to The Obehi Podcast on YouTube (youtube.com/c/ObehiPodcast) and other streaming platforms. Keep an eye out for his free live events (Business Storytelling Series and The Diaspora Storytelling Series), which offer actionable steps for your life and legacy building.
Remember this: Your story is your strategy. Data shows that consumers are 55% more likely to buy a product after hearing a compelling brand story. For our entrepreneurs, your personal story is the ultimate brand differentiator.
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Use these techniques not just to tell a better story, but to encourage others to take meaningful action, embrace their cultural identity, and contribute to the collective memory and legacy of the diaspora.
Your next action is simple: Take one story from your own business or personal journey right now, and rewrite the opening using Technique One. Then, enrich a moment of emotion within it using Technique Two, and finally, add a line of sharp, compelling dialogue using Technique Three.
Do not let your incredible journey remain untold. It is time to step into your power, own your story, and turn it into the strategic asset it was always meant to be. Book Your Free 15-Min Legacy Call Now
