+ What is Story Hour?
Story Hour is a casual environment in which to practice influential storytelling. It's free, informal, and virtual.
+ Who is Story Hour for?
Story Hours are for anyone looking to improve their influential storytelling skills.
+ Why is influential storytelling relevant?
Influential storytelling is a skill that applies in all kinds of situations. Here’s a list of just a few instances where stories will help you be more compelling:
- Job interview
- Presentation
- Talk
- Sales pitch
- Investor pitch
- Marketing and branding
- Lecture
- Podcasts
- Community development
- Leading people/causes
+ When are Story Hours held?
Story Hours are usually held on Fridays at 1pm EST / 10am PST. Check the schedule for holiday exceptions.
+ What is the format of a typical Story Hour?
Story Hour is a virtual Zoom meetup designed to be informal, low-key, and fun. Not only do you get to listen to stories and practice telling your own, you also get the benefit of belonging to a community that shares a value for professional development and for inspirational leadership.
- People sign up to be 1 of 3 - 4 storytellers in advance.
- All registrants are invited to the call via a calendar invitation that includes the Zoom link.
- One by one, the volunteer storytellers share a 5-minute story while a Wolf & Heron facilitator provides visual signals to mark the time. At 5 minutes, the storyteller is asked to wrap up the story.
- The rest of us listen to the story. Then we share 5-10 minutes of feedback on what was compelling, and what to experiment with to make the story even more influential.
You can view past Story Hours on youtube for reference.
+ What should I do to prepare for Story Hour? (as a storyteller)
Story Hour is intended to be casual and informal, so don't stress about preparing. That said, you'll get more out of your time if you consider the following:
- Identify a story you can share. Each Story Hour has a theme or topic you can use for inspiration, but don’t feel limited by it. Any story is great!
- Identify what the point of your story might be. Your story does not have to be practiced or memorized, but knowing what you're driving toward will make your story more compelling.
- The only real limitation is to keep the story 5 minutes or less so we have time for the other storytellers.
- If you like, you can view past Story Hours on youtube for reference.
+ Can I participate in more than one Story Hour?
Yes! You're welcome back any time. We find that storytellers that come often see the greatest benefit.
+ What story should I share or work on?
Participants develop influential stories on every topic and from all different types of experiences, and choosing the perfect gem of a story can feel overwhelming. The trick is to not overthink it. You don’t have to choose the “perfect” story. You just have to choose any story. The Story Hours are themed to help inspire you, but don’t feel limited by the theme if it doesn’t speak to you. Have the mindset that any story you practice will help you with the broader skill of influential storytelling, and you can work on one story for now, and work on another later.
+ Do I have to share a story?
No. While we encourage you to consider pushing your comfort zone to share, we welcome your participation however feels authentic and safe for you. Listen, offer feedback, share a story… we know you’ll find value regardless of how you contribute.
+ How skilled at storytelling should I be?
Storytellers of all skill levels participate in Story Hour. No matter your skill level, you’ll gain something from participating. We aim to provide a space that supports people in building their confidence to tell their first story, creating a story library, and leaning into advanced skills over time.
+ I still have a question...
Contact us for more information.
