Most people start their stories at the beginning. That’s a mistake.
The best storytellers don’t just start with a hook—they start with the ending.
Because if you don’t know where you’re taking the audience, you’ll struggle to keep them engaged.
Relatable Problem: Your stories meander, and you have trouble crafting a strong, impactful ending.
Pro Tip: Use the Reverse-Engineering Trick to find the perfect ending:
- Decide on the one emotion you want your audience to feel at the end. Inspired? Motivated? Shocked?
- Write the final line first. This forces clarity on your key takeaway.
- Work backward to build toward that moment. Every part of the story should lead to that ending.
Example:
A sustainability startup pitching an innovative packaging solution wrote their final line first:
“And that’s how we eliminated a billion plastic bottles from the ocean—starting with one simple change.”
Then, they reverse-engineered their pitch to build to that moment.
By starting at the end, they ensured every part of the story had direction.
If you don’t know where your story is going, neither will your audience. Write the last line first.