#64 How to Start a Story People Want to Hear
From Winning Edge by Commonwealth Partners
December 3, 2025 · 4 min
About this episode
This episode discusses how to effectively start a story to capture listener attention.
The hardest part of storytelling is knowing where to begin.Most people start with way too much setup… or none at all.Use one simple formula to fix it:“So…” + Specific Time + Person + Action + Place + Goal/TensionWhy it works: your listener instantly knows what’s happening and why it matters.A good opening line buys you attention for the next 90 seconds.Keep stories tight: 90–120 seconds is enough to land a point.Script your first line, test it, tweak it, and use it everywhere.Download the one...
Topics covered
- storytelling
- communication
- narrative structure
- engagement
- attention grabbing
Keywords
- storytelling
- opening line
- listener engagement
- narrative
- communication technique
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