Why does storytelling still win in business? Storytelling isn’t a luxury in business—it’s the difference between being remembered and being forgotten. The most impactful presentations don’t just share facts; they wrap them in a narrative that gives people something to feel and something to hold onto. Think about the last presentation that stuck with you. It probably wasn’t a list of bullet points. It was a story.

And the data agrees. Research shows audiences recall only a sliver of fact-heavy slides, while story-driven presentations stick up to 70 percent retention compared with as little as 10 percent for raw numbers. That matters. Businesses that weave storytelling into their communication don’t just engage more deeply; they influence decisions and drive results. This is especially powerful when data is involved. Statistics on their own can be sterile. Place them in a story, and they become memorable, meaningful, and actionable.

At our agency offering full-service presentation services, we’ve seen how narrative-first design transforms even the driest deck into something people lean into. Storytelling doesn’t just hold attention it builds trust, credibility, and connection.

So how do you tell stronger stories when you present? Here are five tried-and-tested approaches.

1. Start with the why and lead with purpose

Before you touch a single slide, ask yourself: why am I presenting this? What’s the bigger point and why should anyone care? Get this right and you set the tone for everything that follows.

Clarity beats cleverness here. Boil your message down to one simple, honest line. “This strategy will grow revenue faster.” Or: “This new process will save us hours each week.” Once you’ve nailed your why, every slide has a reason to exist.

Brands that excel at this make their purpose obvious. Apple champions creativity; TOMS links every pair of shoes to social impact. They’re not just selling they’re connecting. Your presentation should do the same.

2. Build a story that moves

Nobody remembers a wall of bullet points. What people remember is the journey.

Start by showing a challenge your audience recognises. Then walk them through the tension—the problem, the stakes, the frustration. Finally, lead them to a resolution. That resolution might be your product, your idea, or simply a fresh perspective. Either way, it’s about moving people from “here” to “there.”

It’s the same structure novelists and screenwriters use, and it works just as well in the boardroom. Investors, clients, even internal teams, everyone responds more readily to a narrative than to a lecture.

Pressed for time? Try boiling your story down to six words. “Struggling team. New tool. Targets smashed.” Short, sharp, and emotionally clear.

3. Use design to stir emotion

Design isn’t decoration. It’s how your story breathes.

Every element, colours, images, and typefaces should reinforce the feeling you want to create. Talking growth? Use optimistic, expansive visuals. Highlighting a challenge? A stark, minimalist slide can hit harder than a busy one.

Less is nearly always more. One striking image has more power than a cluttered collage. Big ideas need space.

And don’t forget mobile. Many presentations are now viewed on phones or tablets. Keep text bold and layouts clean so your message lands, no matter the screen size.

4. Let data tell its own story

Data should never be dumped on a slide like a spreadsheet. Used well, it becomes a character in your story.

Instead of rattling off numbers, explain what they mean. Why does a 20 percent rise matter? What does a dip in engagement actually look like in real life? This translation makes the numbers human and memorable.

Keep it simple. One insight per slide, backed by clean visuals. Before-and-after comparisons, colour-coded trends, or relatable analogies (think “the size of three football pitches”) work wonders.

A striking number of professionals admit they don’t feel confident interpreting data. By walking them through the story behind the numbers, you’re not just presenting you’re empowering.

5. Deliver it like it matters

The slickest deck in the world won’t help if the delivery is flat.

Know your story so well you don’t need a script. That doesn’t mean improvising; it means being fluent in your message so you can speak naturally and confidently.

Pay attention to pace and rhythm. A well-placed pause can be more powerful than the most elaborate animation. Slow down for emphasis. Pick up the tempo to inject energy. And let your body language do its work eye contact, breathing, movement. Even online, it shapes how you come across.

As public speaking coaches often remind us: it’s not just what you say, but how you make people feel.

Final thoughts: Let the story do the heavy lifting

Presentations aren’t a test of how much information you can cram into 20 minutes. They’re about making sure the right ideas land and linger.

A story gives your message meaning. It helps people care. It turns facts into something worth repeating. And ultimately, it moves people to act.

So next time you open PowerPoint or Google Slides, ask yourself: what’s the story here? Why does it matter? And how can I help people feel it?

Because when your slides stop being slides and start being stories you create something worth remembering.