Captivate your listeners
Through BUSINESS storytelling

People will remember your stories, not your facts and figures

Motivating amidst uncertainty and shifting priorities is no small feat.

You need to advocate for change in a way that inspires people to take action.

But maybe you feel like you’re just going through the motions when you speak or worry that your message gets lost in the white noise of endless presentations and meetings.

It’s easy to lose touch with your authentic voice, resulting in a lack of genuine connection with your audience.

If you can relate, it’s time to bring storytelling into your public speaking and leadership approach.

But not just any old story. You need to know what story to tell, and when, and how to tell it.

Maybe you worry your story will be too boring or that you won’t be able to tell a story that will get real results.

With the right skills, support, and strategy, you can learn to tell the right story at the right time, leaving a lasting impression.

And if you’re short on time to craft your stories, I can help!

If this resonates, let’s book a call to discuss how you can elevate your communication and leadership through storytelling.

Ready to bring storytelling into your role?

3 steps to magnetic leadership

discover. develop. deliver.

Step 1 -
Discover your story

First, I will help you discover what story to tell to achieve your goals and to establish your storytelling strategy.

Deepen your understanding of the science of storytelling and how to harness a storytelling mindset

Learn what kinds of stories you can tell and where and when you can bring storytelling into your role

Discover what specific story you can share to address your theme and reach your audience

Step 2 -
Develop your story arc

Next, I will teach you how to craft a story that leads to your key point.

Learn the core elements needed to craft an impactful story

Get personalized support and step-by-step templates to craft and adapt your stories for different contents

Receive done-for-you stories if you want that extra boost of support!

Step 3 -
Deliver with impact

Finally, I will help you tell your stories in a way that brings them to life!

Learn mindfulness and mindset techniques to overcome nerves and connect with your listeners

Develop skills to exude leadership presence both in person and on camera

Practice vocal and acting-based techniques to help you deliver your stories in an engaging yet professional way

What can storytelling help you accomplish?

Make complex ideas simple and relatable
Deliver difficult news with grace
Bridge differences
Reflect brand or organizational values
Influence attitudes and behaviors
Let your personality shine through
Built trust and connection
Demonstrate your credibility

Make complex ideas simple and relatable

Deliver difficult news with
grace

Bridge
differences

Reflect brand or organizational values

Influence attitudes and behaviors

Let your personality shine
through

Built trust and connection

Demonstrate your credibility

How my hippie dad taught me about the power of storytelling

My dad was a phenomenal storyteller. He was a full-on hippie with the long hair, bandana, total rebellion, and all of the heart. He was also horrible at holding on to money.

One time I was visiting him and he was on the phone with a credit collection agency. I should clarify, he was on the phone with Jan. It wasn’t their first conversation and at this point they both knew each other by name.

My dad sincerely enjoyed his chats with Jan…because he loved chatting with everyone.

So, he settled into his favorite green lounger with a huge mug of chai tea. He listened deeply to Jan, and of course, wielded the conversation off his dept by telling stories.

But that day was different. I’m not sure exactly when it happened…

Click to read more

AlI know is I left the room to make cinnamon toast and by the time I got back my dad was mid process of telling Jan the story of her new career as a horticulturalist. Her dream job.

Line by line he was painting the picture of exactly what she would see and hear and feel each day when she woke up and left the house to do this work that was so meaningful and fulfilling to her.

I could tell that Jan was hanging on his every word.

My dad had built a bridge from Jan’s current circumstance to where she wanted to go and Jan had started to walk across.

Stories are powerful because they evoke emotion and emotion leads to empathy.

See stories don’t tell us what to do…they invite us to come to our own conclusions.

And when we come to our own conclusions about something, we make empowered decisions and that’s when we are genuinely motivated to take action.

Business storytelling coaching options

Storytelling Coaching Packages

Personalized packages to help you craft and tell captivating stories. Get ready to re-envision how you think about storytelling.

Done For You Story-Crafting

We will go through a process to discover what story you have inside you that will help you reach your goal. Then, I’ll write it for you and deliver it to your inbox!

Storytelling Coaching FAQ

What kinds of stories can I bring into my role?

You possess a wealth of experiences that can be transformed into compelling stories including personal stories reflecting lessons learned, educational stories that clarify a key concept you want to introduce, and success stories showcasing the results of your work. You have stories to share that communicate your vision, values, and strategy in a way that resonates with your team and stakeholders. You can build team cohesion and morale by sharing stories that celebrate achievements and recognize contributions. Finally, you can tell stories that deepen client and stakeholder relationships by communicating your organization’s unique impact.

Will my company pay for coaching?

Many of my clients use professional development funds for coaching. I would be happy to provide you with a program outline that you can share with your organization to explore your options.

What can I expect during a storytelling coaching session?

Coaching sessions are 55-minute Zoom calls. Together we will develop a customized coaching plan. However each of your sessions will be different so that you can focus on immediate priorities as well as long term goals. You will get real time feedback to improve both your story crafting and storytelling delivery. You will receive comprehensive workbooks and templates to support your story crafting and I will be there to support from start to finish.

How long does it take to learn storytelling skills?

Many factors influence the speed of your progress including your personal time investment, natural aptitude, and specific storytelling goals. For example, crafting a keynote speech that weaves together numerous stories will take longer than developing a quick story to highlight a key point within a presentation. Crafting a story together typically takes between 2 – 4 sessions. Improving your storytelling delivery skills will tends to take between 6 – 10 sessions depending on your specific goals.

What if I don't consider myself a natural storyteller? Can I still benefit from storytelling coaching?

Absolutely. Storytelling is a skill that can be learned and developed over time. Coaching sessions are designed to provide you with the tools, techniques, and confidence you need to become a more effective storyteller, regardless of your starting point.

How do I know if I should craft my own stories or get you to write them for me?

Crafting your own stories is a valuable skill for long-term leadership development. However, if you’re pressed for time or lack confidence in crafting stories, I can help. Whether you’re facing a time crunch for an upcoming speaking event or simply prefer to have a professional touch, I can collaborate with you to identify the most impactful stories for your audience and craft them to perfection. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities and needs: invest in long-term skill development or delegate the task for immediate support.

Do you help with digital storytelling?

No, I specialize in coaching professionals to excel in public speaking, particularly in crafting and delivering compelling stories to captivate audiences and inspire action. While digital storytelling often intersects with marketing, my focus lies in enhancing your leadership communication skills rather than marketing strategies.

What other's say...

If you get the opportunity to work with Dayna Kneeland, you should take it! Dayna helped me craft and deliver a signature story that became the backbone of my keynote speech. I was overwhelmed with ideas and she helped me organize my story and bring it to life. I stepped onto stage feeling confident, not only in myself as a speaker, but in the way that I was distinguishing myself as a coach. Dayna is knowledgeable, compassionate, and astonishingly good at helping you deliver an impactful message. She can systematically and empathetically source out your blocks and help you build courage while overcoming them. She is a true gift.

Ada Rock

FOUNDER & COACH, DIVERSE PATHS TO RECOVERY

Dayna was instrumental in teasing out my personal story and connecting it to why, as a VC, I am deeply committed to partnering with founders who are tackling challenging problems and striving to build transformative solutions. She has a unique ability to delve into one's history and uncover the most compelling elements of their journey. Dayna expertly navigated through my technical background and entrepreneurial journey, drawing connections that were not only insightful but also inspirational.

Amit Khanna

Founder, 7startup

Before working with Dayna, I was struggling to market myself in a way that felt authentic and made sense to my clients while increasing their confidence in how I could help them. Having Dayna as my coach was incredibly rewarding and helped me really improve my storytelling skills. Most importantly, I learned how to inspire my clients in their own abilities by sharing my stories in a way that became their own journey. I immediately saw a 30% increase in my open rate for my blog when I included my brand story. Dayna was fantastic, very supportive, and helped each person draw out the relevant stories to tell.

Lucy Crisetig

Creative Mindfulness Coach

All of the skills I learned tied together perfectly. I'm walking away with easy-to-follow tools and the courage and confidence to organize my story content and practice my storytelling with my groups.

Dennise Harris

Event Organizer

I gained confidence in my ability to create a meaningful and creative story that could be used to entertain, as well as educate an audience. I also learned how to effectively evoke feeling in my listeners rather than just convey information and knowledge.

PETER VANZYVERDEN

CERTIFIED ROLFER TM

I worked with Dayna in the fall of 2022 to work through building my brand story. She offers a kind space and was very attentive. I would recommend Dayna to anyone who wants to grow their confidence in their brand storytelling and in their speaking in general.

Sydney Fletcher

Professional Coach

Captivate your listeners Through BUSINESS storytelling