Comments on: Finding Your Signature Story

By: John Kinde

John Kinde — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:45:35 +0000

Hi Lola,
Yes. Audiences and listeners are a good measure of our best stories. Often, our best signature stories evolve because of feedback from others telling us that it is a great story that touches and moves them.

By: John Kinde

John Kinde — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:43:52 +0000

Hi Sol,
I’d be very careful when “adapting” someone’s story as your own. In the world of professional speaking, “borrowing” someone’s signature story as your own is frowned upon. Just changing some elements of the story doesn’t necessarily make it yours. I find that someone else’s story can be a good reminder of “that’s like the time when something happened to me.” It can help me find my own story. The danger of using something that is close to someone else’s story is that, first, you’re using their property, and second, it can affect your credibility when people realize that you’re using “borrowed” material.

By: Lola Harbour

Lola Harbour — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:49:04 +0000

I’m in Toastmasters. I have a signature story. I didn’t pick it, others did. I am a story teller (different slightly from a speaker). I ALWAYS use humor, it’s me. When ever I am at a social gathering, people say Hey tell that one that I like. No matter how many times I’ve told it, I still get asked. But I would like to take your advice and try to find one myself – for me.

By: Sol Morrison

Sol Morrison — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:04:37 +0000

Ya’ can “Adopt” someone else’s story — as Your Own !
“Subjectivise it.” Change time and / or place. Even the
who — what — and / or why — as needed / logical. ( And , if
that is too awkward or irritating / problematical == you
can make it a “Friend” or “Relative.” ) Why not ?
And if there are “embarrasing Negatives” involved —
you can go the Other Direction : “Generic” the story
— make it “Vague” and Impersonal. Or get Permission of person(s) involved. Remember: Being “Involved” / part of YOUR
Story is “stronger” / Richer than Observing it — or (gulp )
Reading or Hearing about it. If possible : Put Yourself
in the Picture !

By: locspoc

locspoc — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:48:08 +0000

some good tips, i’ve been trying to figure out what my signature story is for a while now and like you said – easier said than done! that’s for sure

By: Best Public Speaking Articles [2008-08-23]

Best Public Speaking Articles [2008-08-23] — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:41:14 +0000

[...] Kinde reflects on the difficult task of finding your signature story. A story which is relatively simple and predictable is less likely to strike it rich as a [...]