Excerpt from "The Power of Storytelling"

Great storytellers focus on the audience. They have done their homework, they know who they are speaking to, and they pay close attention to how the audience is responding, whether through their words, their laughter, or through their eyes and body language.

Only when you truly know your audience can you make your message about them. That is what creates influence, and the most important facet of making it about them is to tie your message into their primary motivations. If you find out what drives them, what their hot button is, and make your message align with that drive, you are golden.

Researchers have identified four primary categories that motivate people. I call them the four P’s: Pleasure, Prestige, Payoff, and Productivity. As we examine them, it’s easy to see how each has universal appeal.

Pleasure – People naturally seek enjoyment. They want to be happy. They want their life to be fun. Is the benefit you’re presenting to them going to provide it? If so, people will be driven to buy your product, follow your strategy, or subscribe to your ideas.

Prestige – Status and power are tremendously appealing. Show people that they will be viewed as more credible, looked up to, seen as leaders, and they will respond readily to your message.

Payoff – This is the money motivator. When what you are presenting offers the potential to affect a person’s bottom line—it will make them rich! — You will definitely have their attention.

Productivity – When you show people how they can accomplish more in less time, with increased output, you not only open the door to a more attractive lifestyle but to myriad ways for them to increase their pleasure, prestige and payoff.

Take care to tailor your stories so they appeal to the four primary motivations and watch what happens. You will see your audience engage and respond at a whole new level.

More than one million people from 50 countries have learned from Ty Bennett’s insights on Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Communication.When Ty was 21 years old he started a business with his brother Scott, which they built to over $20 million in annual revenue while still in their twenties.Ty was recently featured in Utah Business’ Top 40 Under 40?Ty currently sits on several boards, including two non-profits. He is currently serving as the President of The Mountain West chapter of The National Speakers Association.As a speaker Ty is a young, fresh voice with a fun, engaging style. Ty has shared the stage with celebrities, world renowned thought leaders and recently with President Bush and President Clinton.Ty is the author of The Power of Influence as well as his newest book – The Power of Storytelling. His message is changing lives and reaching people around the world.Ty lives in Utah with his wife Sarah, daughter Andie, and sons Tanner and Drew.

The Power of Storytelling is available online for $19.95 or through Amazon.com – please visit the following link to order your copy: https://leadershipinc.infusionsoft.com/app/storeFront/showProductDetail?productId=103