Choose a story you like when telling for kids at the library, for a sacred setting or to leaders of business or nonprofit groups. There will be many stories for any situation you are in. Choose a story that you can understand and enjoy.

2. Take the time to prepare.

Take the time to learn how to tell a story. Don’t just dive into telling a story you have heard only once. Break the story into parts. Practice with a recording device and a gentle-yet-truthful friend who can hear your first attempts.

3. Do not hesitate to remove the slow parts of your story.

It’s not unusual for first-time storytellers to try to tell every piece of a story. Storytelling occurs in the moment so not every detail has to be included each time. Ask yourself, "Do I need to tell this piece of the story this time? Is it critical?"

4. Use a strong and confident voice.

Being prepared will make you confident. Speak with clarity and confidence. Enunciate and project your voice towards the listeners.

5. Use good pacing.

When you are confident, you will not be in a hurry. You want to speak slow enough so that the story is easily absorbed by the audience but do not speak so slowly that their minds check out of the room.