When I first started sharing stories—whether on Warsaw Confidential, during business pitches for Meqnes, or even in casual conversations—I noticed a pattern. Some stories landed beautifully, capturing the room’s attention and leaving a lasting impact.
Others?
They fell flat.
The difference? It wasn’t just the content of the story but how I told it. The key lay in a classic storytelling rule: Show, don’t tell.
This simple yet profound technique can transform any story from average to unforgettable.
In this article, I’ll share practical ways to make your stories more visual and immersive, drawing on my own experiences and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
What Does “Show, Don’t Tell” Actually Mean?
When you tell a story, you provide information directly to your audience:
- “I was nervous.”
- “She was kind.”
- “The event was a disaster.”
When you show a story, you create a scene that allows the audience to experience the moment themselves:
- “My palms were sweaty, and my breath felt tight as I approached the microphone.”
- “She wrapped the blanket around my shoulders, her hands warm and gentle.”
- “Banners fell off the walls, and the echo of a dropped mic cut through the awkward silence.”
The goal is to paint a picture with words, engaging the senses and emotions of your audience.
Three Powerful Techniques to Show, Don’t Tell
1. Use Dialogue: Let Characters Speak for Themselves
Dialogue is one of the simplest yet most effective tools for showing rather than telling. Instead of explaining how someone feels or thinks, let their words do the work.
Example from My Journey:
When I pitched Meqnes on Shark Tank, instead of saying “The investors were skeptical,” I told the story through dialogue:
“One of the investors leaned forward, his eyes sharp. ‘Luxury leather from Morocco?’ he said, his tone dripping with doubt. ‘Is there even a market for that?’”
This allowed my audience to feel the skepticism rather than just hear about it.
How You Can Apply This:
- Instead of: “My boss was frustrated,” say: “My boss slammed the report on the desk, ‘How many times do I need to explain this?’”
- Instead of: “She was excited,” say: “Her voice went up an octave, ‘You’re kidding! We got the deal?’”
2. Show Through Actions: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
What a character does can reveal more than what they say. Physical actions and reactions are windows into the inner world of your characters.
Example from My Podcast:
During one episode of Warsaw Confidential, I interviewed a guest who had gone through significant adversity. Rather than stating, “He was resilient,” I shared a moment where he held his trembling hands together, took a deep breath, and said, “I decided that day I wouldn’t let life break me.”
The image of his hands and the breath added a layer of vulnerability that a simple statement could never achieve.
How You Can Apply This:
- Instead of: “She was nervous,” show: “She kept twisting her ring, her eyes darting to the clock every few seconds.”
- Instead of: “He was confident,” show: “He walked into the room, shoulders back, eyes meeting every gaze without hesitation.”
3. Use Sensory Details: Engage All the Senses
When you tap into your audience’s senses, you pull them deeper into your story. Rather than just seeing the scene, they can smell, hear, taste, and feel it too.
Example from My Life:
When I talk about the early days of Meqnes, I often share this sensory memory:
“I remember the smell of freshly tanned leather in the workshop, the way the rough edges of the hide softened under my fingers, and the sharp metallic clink of the artisan’s tools. It was a symphony of senses that felt like the heartbeat of our brand.”
Describing not just what I saw, but also what I heard, smelled, and felt, helps the listener step into that workshop with me.
How You Can Apply This:
- Instead of: “The kitchen was nice,” show: “The kitchen smelled of fresh basil, the tiles cool against my bare feet, sunlight slanting through the window onto the worn wooden table.”
- Instead of: “The office was chaotic,” show: “Phones rang incessantly, papers rustled in the AC’s breeze, and a half-drunk coffee sat cold and forgotten on the edge of a desk.”
When “Show, Don’t Tell” Made a Difference
When I interviewed Karolina Pajączkowska on Warsaw Confidential, I wanted to share a story about feeling isolated despite success. Instead of saying, “I felt disconnected,” I shared this:
“I stood at my own birthday party, music thumping, people laughing, but their voices sounded distant—like I was underwater. I raised my glass to toast, but the champagne tasted flat, the bubbles sharp and empty.”
The story resonated with listeners because they could feel that disconnection through sensory and emotional cues.
Conclusion: Take Your Stories to the Next Level
When you master the art of Show, Don’t Tell, your stories will no longer just be heard—they’ll be experienced. Whether you’re pitching a product, sharing a personal moment, or leading a conversation, showing will always engage more deeply than telling.
If you’re ready to transform your storytelling—whether for your brand, business, or personal growth—let’s connect. With years of experience on Warsaw Confidential and a lifetime of storytelling through Meqnes, I’m here to help you turn your stories into powerful tools that inspire, engage, and transform.