Sample Keynote

What Happens Next: Unlocking the Power of Storytelling ©

In this keynote presentation, Amy Saidman will demonstrate the power of a good story told well and explain how storytelling can be used by your organization to strengthen its message, improve communications, and build community.

She will touch on:

Amy Saidman is the Artistic Executive Director of SpeakeasyDC and Washington Storytellers Theatre. She has been telling her own stories, teaching, and coaching storytelling for 10 years. She brings her background in improvisational and stand-up comedy to her performances and teaching. She has worked with other national organizations to help them use storytelling in the work they do.

Sample Break-Out Sessions for Retreats & Conferences

The Big One: Fishing Out Your Own Story ©

Commonly, people tell themselves, "I don't have any stories. My life is boring. What could I possibly have to tell?" The truth is we all have an unlimited supply of stories worth sharing. In this interactive workshop, we will help you fish through the waters of your life to find a good catcha story that has meaning in your life, universal of a strong narrative. We will explore common narrative arcs and discuss ways to integrate these stories into the work you do.

Iron Chef Storytelling: Turning Your Raw Ingredients into Something People Can Swallow ©

So, you have a few ideas, but you don't know how to turn these pieces into a full-fledged story one that is compelling, meaningful, entertaining, and memorable. This workshop will offer tips and tricks for shaping your story, bringing it to life, finding your voice, and drawing your audience in. We will cover structure and qualities of a good story and common types of story arcs.

I'm Sold: Selling with Story ©

Whether you are selling a product, an idea, or a cause, storytelling is a persuasive tool. This workshop will explore the basic principles of sales, and how the use of storytelling can be used to support and enhance those basic techniques. We will talk about the reasons that storytelling enhances the sales process, and participants will have the opportunity to develop their own stories for use in selling their cause, position, or product.

The Crystal Ball: Shaping your Future with Stories ©

The breaking news in May 2010: (Your organization) experienced record success in their advocacy efforts/profits/growth, winning long-fought legislative battles that support its goals and interests /attracting more new clients than ever. Senior executives and employees attribute this success to the implementation of new communication techniques and organizational models introduced at their 2008 annual retreat by SpeakeasyDC: "We can't thank SpeakeasyDC enough for helping us achieve our goals in new and innovative ways," said (Name of CEO) President and CEO of (your organization)

The above story has not yet happened, but imagining that scenario takes us one step closer towards realizing our goals. The practice of telling the story you want to be true in the future is a powerful exercise. In this workshop, we will help you use this tool to clarify and reinforce your vision, create common ground within your organization, and set you and your organization in the right direction.

Contact info@speakeasydc.org to discuss a customized a program that will fit your specific needs.