I tried meeting notes (Here's What Happened)

The Day My Meeting Notes Turned Into a Netflix Original

It all started on a Wednesday at 1:23 PM. I was knee-deep in a weekly marketing meeting, the kind that makes you question your life choices and the existence of joy. As usual, I was tasked with writing the meeting notes—a job as thrilling as watching paint dry on a Sunday afternoon.

But this week, armed with a new experimental approach (read: desperate idea fueled by three cups of coffee), I decided to do something radical. I took those notes and turned them into an engaging story, complete with characters and a plot twist. I mean, why not? Nobody reads meeting notes anyway, right?

Fast forward to Friday, and here's what happened: My boss, who barely acknowledges my existence beyond “Hey you,” sent me an email with the subject line “Brilliant.” Yes, with a capital B. She said, “These notes read like a Netflix script! I actually understood our strategy for once.” (Achievement unlocked: Surprise and impress your boss.)

Why Turning Meeting Notes Into Stories Works

Here’s the secret sauce: People love stories. Our brains are hardwired to respond to them. When you wrap your meeting notes in a narrative, you’re not just listing bullet points; you’re creating a mental movie. Everyone remembers the tale of the underdog who saved the day (or the budget), but nobody recalls bullet point #4 about increased engagement metrics.

And it’s not just about making your boss happy (although that's a nice side effect). It’s about ensuring your team actually gets the message. When your notes tell a story, it’s like giving them a map instead of just a list of directions.

Practical Applications: From Yawns to Cheers

So, how do you turn your mundane meeting notes into a blockbuster hit? Start by identifying the main characters: Who needs to take action? Who's the villain (hint: it's usually time constraints or budget cuts)? Next, outline the plot: What’s the problem, and how are we solving it? Finally, add a plot twist: Maybe there’s a surprising insight or a creative solution nobody saw coming.

This isn’t just for marketing meetings, either. Imagine your HR meeting notes turned into a heartfelt drama about the benefits of quarterly team building, or the latest IT sync-up as a sci-fi thriller about conquering the mysterious realm of cybersecurity.

How to Get Started: The Storytelling Blueprint

Ready to become the Spielberg of meeting notes? Here’s your starter kit:

1. Identify the Plot: Begin with the meeting’s main objective. What’s the core message?
2. Character Development: Assign roles (hero, mentor, antagonist) to people or elements involved.
3. Craft the Narrative: Use a beginning (the problem), middle (the meeting discussion), and end (the action plan).
4. Add Dialogue: Don’t just say “John suggested X.” Turn it into a conversation. “John leaned in, eyes twinkling with innovation, ‘What if we tackled this with…?’”
5. Edit Ruthlessly: Keep it concise. If it doesn’t drive the plot, cut it. Remember, Hemingway once wrote a novel on a napkin (okay, not really, but you get it).

Real Results: The Proof is in the Pudding (or the Email Thread)

Two weeks in, and here are the highlights:

• My team's email engagement with meeting notes jumped from 12% to a whopping 68% (I’m expecting a Nobel Prize nomination any day now).
• One team lead used the story format for her department's meeting, and I quote, “Our VP laughed, cried, and ACTUALLY read the whole thing!”
• I received a Slack message from IT: “Loved the narrative style. Can you do this for our security protocols?” (As if I wasn’t busy enough.)

Advanced Tips: Level-Up Your Narrative Game

Once you’ve mastered the basics, take it up a notch with these insider tricks:

• Cliffhangers: End your notes with a teaser for the next meeting’s key topic.
• Easter Eggs: Include subtle jokes or references only your team will get. It builds camaraderie and keeps them engaged.
• Visual Aids: Use graphs or images to support your story, like a good comic book.

Call to Action: Your Turn to Shine

So, brave note-taker, it’s your turn. Transform those dry, lifeless meeting notes into something your team will actually look forward to reading. You might even get a standing ovation—or at least a few appreciative nods over Zoom. Give it a shot and let me know how it goes. After all, we could all use a little more drama and excitement in our 2 PM meetings.

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Alex Chen is the Chief Writing Alchemist at WriteBetter.ai. Former comedy writer turned voice transformation expert, he's helped thousands of professionals communicate with impact through authentic writing.