Some stories land.

Others miss the mark.

But the ones that stick — the ones that make people lean in — hit the bulls-eye and are repeated.

In my STICKY Stories training, I call it “Bulls-Eye Storytelling.” That's because the closer you get to the center, the more powerful the connection.

We’ve all heard stories that float somewhere out there in the narrative ether:

“I heard from someone who read it somewhere…”

That kind of story is fine. It can teach. It might even inspire.

But what grabs people at the deepest level?

A personal, true, authentic moment.

One you felt.
One you truly lived.
One you still recall in detail.

TED Talk research proves this out. The most kinetic, connecting talks — the ones people remember and share — come from personal storytelling.

Let’s break it down.

Imagine a target with 5 circles. Each ring is a level of narrative distance. The closer your story lands to the center, the more likely it hits home.

1. PERSONAL MEMORY (1st person)

The Center Ring. This is your own lived experience. It’s not about oversharing or getting squirmy with TMI. It’s about vulnerability with purpose. A real story you were inside of.

A win nobody else noticed.
A moment of unexpected courage.
A mistake that taught you something.

These are the gold of great storytelling. They don’t just inform — they transform.

2. SOMEONE KNOWN (2nd generation)

One Ring Out. You’re not the main character, but you had a front-row seat. These stories carry weight because they’re still emotionally connected to you. This is someone you know personally.

Mentor.
Best friend.
Family member.

You watched them face something. Or learned a lesson by watching them win — or lose.

3. ACQUAINTANCE (know in passing)

Middle Ring. You didn’t know them personally. But maybe you had a conversation once. Or followed their work from afar. There’s a bit more distance here. You’re telling a story from the periphery, not the center.

The listener is less likey to...

Lean in.
Feel the narrative arc.
Insert themselves into the tale.

These stories still count, but they don’t carry the same emotional gravity as the inner rings.

4. CONTEMPORARY (in your world)

Outer Ring. These stories are happening around you. People in your industry, niche, or timeline. They may not be personal connections, but they feel relevant.

Listeners can relate.
The experience is common.
The tale may be niche-specific.

You can reference someone’s story from a podcast, a news headline, or social media — just know it’s starting to blur into abstraction.

5. HISTORIC VIP (MLK, JFK, etc.)

The Outer Edge. You can tell a great story about JFK or MLK. But don’t expect the same punch as the time you stood up in a room and shared a personal tale.

These stories are classic.
Often really powerful.
But distant.

Here's what's going on, your understanding of Kennedy and mine may be at odds. There’s a dissonance as the story unfolds.

You may be thinking: Inspiring statesman.

I am thinking: Crappy husband, bad father.

That’s the power of personal proximity.

So, how to center your storytelling?

Start with your own life.

If you’re creating content, teaching, coaching, speaking, or leading. Always ask:

“What’s a real story I can share from my own life that proves this point?

Go to your center. Then, if you must, move outward.

But remember:

The farther out you go, the more likely you’ll sound like everyone else.

Aim for the bulls-eye!

P.S. To go deeper with storytelling insights, click here and here and here.

DEVIN D. MARKS is known as The TED Talk Whisperer. His firm, CONNECT to COMPEL, has served 100s of TED, TEDx, and short-talk speakers. The result: 100s of millions of views. He helps niche experts, authors, and leaders (just like you), spread BIG ideas.

LET THE WORLD LIVE YOUR MESSAGE™

You can reach Devin at 617.804.6020, or DM him here.

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