Imagine you’ve got a great idea for a video. You’re excited to share it, but as soon as the camera turns on, you feel like a deer caught in headlights. Your words stumble, your story feels flat, and the only thing viewers might remember is the awkward reflection of your desk lamp in your glasses. We’ve all been there.
Here’s the thing: the magic of storytelling can save you. A good story doesn’t just fill the silence—it gives your message structure, keeps your audience engaged, and ensures your ideas stick. Storytelling is the secret sauce that transforms an awkward recording into something your viewers will actually remember. Let’s dive into how you can use it to craft a video worth watching.
What makes a story work?
The best stories are about change: you start in one place or situation, and something fundamentally changes by the end. Without that element of transformation, your story is just an anecdote. And anecdotes? They’re for your group chat, not your next presentation.
So, start with a question: What’s the shift in your story? Maybe it’s a surprising insight you discovered, or a solution to a problem your team faced. Whatever it is, make sure it has a beginning, middle, and end. Transformation is the secret sauce that keeps your audience engaged.
The building blocks of a strong video story
Before you can tell a story that captivates your audience, you need a strong foundation. Think of it like building a campfire—you need the right structure, or it’ll fizzle out before it gets going. A good video story works the same way; it relies on key elements to ignite and sustain your audience’s attention.
Structure with purpose
Think of your story like a three-act play:
- Act 1: The Setup – Introduce the problem or context. Hook your audience here.
- Act 2: The Journey – Describe the challenges or process of exploration. This is the heart of your story.
- Act 3: The Resolution – Deliver the transformation. This is where the impact lands.
You’ll find this foundation at the heart of every storytelling model there is, from the STAR framework to the Hero’s Journey to The Pixar Pitch—where you began, where you went, the challenges you faced, and what changed.
Using a tool like mmhmm, you can reinforce your structure visually. Frame content around you to outline key points and add visual cues to punctuate pivotal moments—just like you might use props in a live storytelling event.
Details that paint a picture
Great stories bring the audience into your world. Stanford University lecturer Dan Klein recommends focusing on four types of details:
- Visual: Don’t just say, “We were running out of time.” Say, “Every time I looked at the clock, I could see the second hand rushing forward, eating away the last moments before our deadline.”
- Auditory: Include sounds to enhance the scene. “The click-clack of keyboards was the only thing breaking the silence.”
- Kinesthetic: Capture physical sensations. Instead of, “I was nervous,” try, “My palms were slick, and my throat felt tight.”
- Digital: Use specifics. “The team spent 18 hours troubleshooting 1,500 lines of buggy code.”
With mmhmm, you can amplify these details visually. Annotate images or highlight specific slides to add depth and make your story memorable.
Suspense and mystery
Good stories keep us on the edge of our seats. Don’t start by spoiling the ending. Instead, build curiosity. Paul Nadjmabadi, a master of visual storytelling, suggests thinking like a filmmaker. Use pacing, varied visuals, and pauses to create intrigue. Show, don’t tell.
For example, don’t begin with, “This is how we hit our sales goal.” Start with, “We were six months in and nowhere near our numbers. Then something unexpected happened.” Let the audience want to know more.
Visual techniques to enhance your story
Great stories don’t just sound good—they look good too. Your visuals can create an atmosphere, set the tone, and even tug at your audience’s emotions. But bad visuals? They’re like using Comic Sans on a résumé—impossible to recover from.
Framing matters
Your video’s framing can make or break the connection you build with your audience. Position your camera at eye level to create a sense of trust. Use the Rule of Thirds to place yourself slightly off-center, leaving space for slides or visuals. mmhmm’s features make this effortless, helping you frame your content perfectly while keeping the focus on you.
Tone and background
Your background and tone set the mood for your story. A messy room distracts; a clean, intentional space adds professionalism. Subtle movement in the background—like a plant swaying—adds energy without chaos. With mmhmm, it’s easy to elevate your room’s look with tints and gradients, blur it out to remove distractions, or replace it entirely with a virtual background.
Lighting and sound
Good lighting flatters; bad lighting frustrates. Position your light source above and slightly in front of you for a polished look. And let’s talk sound: if your audience struggles to hear you, your story won’t land. Invest in a good microphone. For tips, check out mmhmm’s Complete Guide to Looking Great on Video.
Delivery: the final touch
Once your story structure is solid and your visuals are polished, it’s time to focus on delivery. This is where your story truly comes to life—or, if you’re unprepared, it falls flat like a half-inflated balloon. Nailing your delivery will ensure your audience stays engaged from start to finish.
Know your lines
Klein advises memorizing your first and last line. Why? Because a strong opening grabs attention, and a solid closing ensures your story sticks. No one remembers a story that ends with, “So, yeah, that’s it, I guess.”
Pause with intention
Pauses are your secret weapon. They give weight to your words and let your audience absorb your message. Use them for dramatic effect or to transition between key points. mmhmm’s recording tools let you practice your delivery until your pauses feel natural.
Practice without over-rehearsing
While memorizing your story isn’t necessary, practicing it is. Use mmhmm to record yourself, watch it back, and refine your flow. Use the Questions feature to practice in a conversational way, responding to AI-assisted prompts from mmhmm. When you play it back, notice where filler words like “and” or “so” are creeping in and work on tightening your delivery.
Storytelling is a superpower
Great stories don’t just happen. They’re crafted. With tools like mmhmm, you have everything you need to tell stories that engage, inspire, and move people to action. Whether you’re pitching an idea in a high-stakes meeting, delivering a presentation, or simply sharing an experience, remember: it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being purposeful.
So the next time the camera turns on and your desk lamp’s reflection threatens to steal the show, you’ll have the tools to deliver a story that’s engaging, memorable, and leaves your audience wanting more.
Ready to bring your story to life? Visit mmhmm.app and start creating today.
