How can you use metaphors to tell better stories?

1 Choose relevant metaphors

The first step to using metaphors is to choose ones that are relevant to your topic, audience, and purpose. A good metaphor should connect your main message to something that your audience already knows, cares about, or can visualize. It should also support your argument, not distract from it or contradict it. For example, if you want to explain the importance of teamwork, you could use a metaphor of a sports team, a band, or a puzzle. But if you want to emphasize the uniqueness of your product, you might want to avoid a metaphor of a commodity, a copy, or a clone.

2 Use original metaphors

While some metaphors are so common that they have become clichés, such as "life is a journey" or "time is money", you can make your stories more interesting and memorable by using original metaphors. Original metaphors are ones that you create yourself, or that you adapt from existing sources in a creative way. They can help you surprise, delight, and challenge your audience, as well as show your personality and expertise. For example, instead of saying "this project is a marathon, not a sprint", you could say "this project is a symphony, not a solo" or "this project is a garden, not a factory".

3 Balance clarity and creativity

While original metaphors can make your stories more captivating, they can also confuse or alienate your audience if they are too obscure, abstract, or inappropriate. Therefore, you need to balance clarity and creativity when using metaphors. A clear metaphor is one that is easy to understand, relevant to the context, and consistent with the tone and style of your presentation. A creative metaphor is one that is novel, unexpected, and vivid. To achieve this balance, you can use some techniques, such as explaining your metaphor, using examples or analogies, or combining familiar and unfamiliar elements.

4 Use metaphors sparingly

Another tip to use metaphors effectively is to use them sparingly. Metaphors are meant to enhance your stories, not to replace them or to overwhelm them. If you use too many metaphors, or if you mix different metaphors, you risk confusing, boring, or annoying your audience. You also risk losing the impact and meaning of your metaphors, as they become diluted or redundant. Therefore, you should use metaphors selectively, strategically, and purposefully. You should use them only when they add value, clarity, or emotion to your stories, and when they fit your message and audience.

5 Practice and refine your metaphors

The final tip to use metaphors in your presentations is to practice and refine them. Metaphors are not something that you can just throw in your stories without preparation or feedback. You need to test them, polish them, and adapt them to your specific situation and goals. You need to practice how to deliver them with confidence, expression, and timing. You also need to monitor how your audience reacts to them, and adjust them accordingly. By practicing and refining your metaphors, you can ensure that they work for you and your audience, and that they make your stories more effective and memorable.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?