In 2008, I will have been a storyteller for 22 years. I actually have press clippings back even further to 29 years ago. Storyteller.net is currently celebrating its 10th year of service. In those years, I’ve watched storytelling grow and change. There are many things to celebrate. There is also tremendous room for growth, growth that our art form desperately needs.
Many years ago, when storytelling was much younger and even more “boutique” than it is today, I wrote an article about resolutions for storytellers for our then very new, very on-the-edge Storyteller.net. You can read it at Storyteller.net.
In those years since, storytelling has changed. Or at least it should have. There are more tellers than ten years ago. There are more of these tellers calling themselves professional. There are more people who want to become professional storytellers. We’re seeing a glut of “boomers” who are leaving their previous careers and jumping into storytelling. At least weekly, someone writes me at Storyteller.net to ask, “How do I become a professional storyteller?” Some of these new folks are making a smooth transition. Most are not.
All of these Emails and coaching over the last decade have given me a unique overview of storytelling. Coupled with another decade of workaday storytelling, I see a broad picture of what storytelling is in today's world. For this article, I am speaking to those who are trying to make any portion of their income through the art of storytelling. Although some of these items I’m listing below apply for those who might be using storytelling as an adjunct to their primary career or to the hobbyist, many of these are laser-focused for the working tellers.
For this new year, here’s my updated list the blocks for professional storytellers. Take what you need from it. Leave the rest behind.
Over the next few weeks, I will be diving deeper into each of these with more content. For now, here is the list, in no special order:
1. You aren’t finding your niche. Your work does not stand out from any other teller.
2. You are not balancing the three circles of storytelling: business, artistry, technical.
3. You are talking to the same people over and over again who are talking about the same subjects over and over again.
4. You rarely seek out coaching and when you do, it’s solely the “nurturing” type.
5. You are still not using the Internet.
6. You are not investing your money into your professional development, i.e. your business.
7. You are waiting for what is a very small portion of the storytelling world to acknowledge you.
8. You have let storytelling become your spirituality.
9. You haven’t learned the difference between being an actor, a speaker and a storyteller.
10. Especially for U.S. and Canadian tellers, you are telling too many disconnected and without-context personal stories.
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Sean, I may have to start referring to you as the "Dr. Phil" of the storytelling community ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell, I have been called worse. Just a few days ago as a matter of fact. Dr Phil, well then, do I get to do Ms. Spear's therapy sessions? Oh, good, Spears and Phil in the same comments. Now, Google will find this post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that we must have this kind of hard-hitting commentary on the work/art of storytelling. It keeps us grounded and reminds us that the world of story isn't simple; it is a huge responsibiity and one not to be taken lightly.
ReplyDeleteSaundra
Hmmm. Where am I in need of correction?
ReplyDelete1. You aren’t finding your niche. I'm okay here--Appalachian/ballad-singing granny
2. You are not balancing the three circles of storytelling: business, artistry, technical. Here's a weak point for me.
3. You are talking to the same people over and over again who are talking about the same subjects over and over again. Not me.Broad base of interests and conversations, both on and offline.
4. You rarely seek out coaching and when you do, it’s solely the “nurturing” type. I'm of two minds about this. I've seen coaches who try to mold tellers into clones of themselves. I've seen tellers who try to be clones. I prefer to stay out of this circle.
5. You are still not using the Internet.OK here
6. You are not investing your money into your professional development, i.e. your business. Lots of money into the rabbit hole.
7. You are waiting for what is a very small portion of the storytelling world to acknowledge you. Nope. Not an issue. East west, home's best.
8. You have let storytelling become your spirituality. Again, not my problem.
9. You haven’t learned the difference between being an actor, a speaker and a storyteller. Don't know acting, not a speaker.
10. Especially for U.S. and Canadian tellers, you are telling too many disconnected and without-context personal stories. Amen! I've been bored to tears sometimes listening at festivals where the stories drone on and on--all on the same topic; the teller.
Actually, Sue, you are a great example of understanding your niche and audience. I have a draft of a blog for that about you. I could never seriously publish a recipe in my blog. YOU can, do and should. I love to read those types of things in your blog. I think you do great with niche.
ReplyDeleteThe coaching thing is very interesting and mostly a problem with the folks who have the dogma of storytelling as their spirituality instead of a way to serve their faith system.
Thanks for the post.
Mazel tov!
ReplyDeleteRe: #5, I don't get how people don't use the internet for their storytelling. So much of my business comes as a result of internet searches. I'm actually trying to find other people in my area who have the same niche I do (musical storytelling birthday parties for toddlers and preschoolers) but either they're not out there or they don't have a web presence. I would like to be able to recommend other local tellers for birthday parties when I can't take specific gigs. Then again, I've met quite a few performers who actively detest birthday parties.
Maybe it takes a storyteller with special gifts to enjoy telling at birthday parties. Some people are so warm and inviting that children can forget their excitement and listen. That's a gift that goes beyond skill, and one not all of us possess.
ReplyDeleteSaundra: You just made me beam. I thank you.
ReplyDeleteSean, love your blog. Yes, I subscribed. Speaking of using the Internet, where is the Sean Buvala wikipedia?!! You area significant force in the storytelling community. I love how you push tellers to acquire business acumen. We both know how important that is! :) Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Dianne de Las Casas
Author & Award-Winning Storyteller
http://www.storyconnection.net
I admire all you guys and I like to pick up tips from you, but some of us just want to use storytelling techniques to oh, say, make our little blogs more interesting.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to those of you who make a living at it!
Peace,
Mike
Mike, you are correct. There are many different ways to use storytelling from the very sublime ways to enhance another project to those of us who are storytellers as entertainers and teachers. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDelete