Thursday Buzz: Storytelling on the Event Stage

Looking for a fresh way to tell compelling stories about your organization’s mission? You may want to head to the theater. One venerable publishing institution is doing just that.

The Financial Times is going beyond its famous salmon-pink newsprint and stepping into the limelight, reports Journalism.co.uk  (opens in a new tab). The publisher recently partnered with People’s Palace Projects, an arts charity at Queen Mary University of London, to deliver short stage performances based on its reporting.

“When you have different opportunities to engage with people in a variety of formats, which is what both artists and journalists are doing, it gives the audience a much better-rounded, and even poetic, perspective about the stories that they are having contact with—the narratives come through in many different ways,” says André Piza, producer and theater director with People’s Palace Projects.

Go Off Script

Planning to speak from a script? Read this first #AssnChat  (opens in a new tab) #TuesdayThoughts  (opens in a new tab) #ASAE  (opens in a new tab) #NonProfits  (opens in a new tab) https://t.co/dbKKLXVHWi  (opens in a new tab)

— ESSAE (@EmpireStateSAE) July 10, 2018  (opens in a new tab)

Using a script may seem like an adequate solution for nervous public speakers, but relying on one really doesn’t do you any favors.

“Speaking directly from prepared remarks can make you sound dry and boring, even if you’re a decent writer,” says Anett Grant in a new Fast Company article  (opens in a new tab). “That’s because speaking well is fundamentally different than writing out loud; your prose might ‘sound’ great on paper but not when you utter it.”

Grant adds that scripts can make speakers look insecure, weaken their gestures, and actually fuel anxiety.

Other Links of Note

If you noticed a drop in Twitter followers this week, it’s not because people are unfollowing you. Twitter is removing millions of suspicious accounts, reports the New York Times  (opens in a new tab).

It may be time to reconsider launching a podcast. CMSWire reveals how podcasts can be a valuable tool in your marketing arsenal  (opens in a new tab).

Your wishes have been fulfilled, Mac fans. After a longer-than-usual delay, Apple announced an update to the MacBook Pro  (opens in a new tab) on Thursday. CNET breaks down what’s new.

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