#64 How to Start a Story People Want to Hear

• 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/Tension
• Why 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.

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