The Art of Storytelling: 5 Story Arcs That Will Actually Make People Pay Attention

Let’s be real: storytelling sounds easy, right? But most business stories we hear are… well, kind of dull. Scroll through LinkedIn and you’ll see the word “storytelling” everywhere. The truth? It’s a lot harder to nail than it seems.

I’m obsessed with storytelling. From books to TV shows to business presentations, I’ve seen it all—and tried it all. Some worked. Some failed spectacularly. But after years of tweaking and testing, I’ve landed on five story arcs that never let me down.

Here’s my personal cheat sheet for hooking your audience with a great story:

1. The “Look How Far I’ve Come” Arc

Everyone loves an underdog. Share where you started (spoiler: probably not as great as you are now) and take them on the journey of how you turned it around. It’s relatable, inspiring, and a crowd favorite.

2. The False Start: Setup–Problem–Resolution

Start strong, but then—bam!—introduce a problem that throws everything off course. How do you recover? Solve it. This arc shows resilience, and in business, resilience is gold.

3. The Full-Circle Callback

Open with a punchy story, then wrap it up by circling back at the end. “If you remember what I said at the beginning…”—it’s satisfying, memorable, and makes you look sharp.

4. The “Bet You Didn’t Know” Bombshell

Drop a surprising fact right at the start. Watch their eyebrows raise. Now they’re hooked, waiting to see how you’ll tie it all together.

5. The Unexpected Plot Twist

Start with a familiar storyline, then—just when they think they know where you’re going—surprise them. The twist keeps them engaged and makes your message unforgettable.

Bonus Story Arcs for the Pros

6. The Hero’s Journey—But They’re the Hero, Not You

You know the classic Hero’s Journey—overcoming trials, transformation, triumph. But for business, position your audience as the hero, and yourself as the guide. It’s about their journey, not just your wins. I love using this story arc over and over again—if you’d like to read more about it, you’ll find the classic Hero’s Journey explained beautifully here.

7. David vs. Goliath (With a Twist of Self-Doubt)

Everyone loves rooting for the underdog, but the real magic happens when the challenge isn’t external—it’s internal. Focus on overcoming mental or strategic barriers, not just the competition. That’s where the real connection happens.

When you play with story arcs like thesenlast two, tread carefully. Lean too hard into “Look at me, the hero” or “I was such an underdog, but look at me now,” and your audience might just start rolling their eyes.

Of course, there are endless ways to tell a story. But these five? They’re my go-tos.

These tips are just the start—your first step to better presentations and fewer sleepless nights before the big day. Want to take it even further? Check out our Speak with Confidence public speaking training and learn how to own the stage like a pro. Want to book it or talk about it? Book a consult here.

Also, don’t miss our 10 Public Speaking Tips That Actually Work—a no-fluff starter pack to help you own the room.