To get the best story, sometimes you need to take it out of the boardroom

To craft compelling stories, sometimes you need to step out of the boardroom and into the field. One of the best parts of this storytelling gig is getting to explore new places (or see familiar ones from a fresh perspective) and engage with the people who bring the story to life.

Face-to-face makes a difference when the goal is authentic storytelling

Writing about a welder’s experience in a remote, dusty work camp in the Northern Territory would be pretty hollow if you’ve never had firsthand experience of the outback. The details of an engineer’s favourite bridge are better understood when you’re standing underneath it with them while they point and explain why they love their job. Field visits like these provide a richer context and make stories more vivid and relatable.

When I visit old facilities or project sites, it’s not just for the sake of seeing new things. These visits help me as a writer to connect with the story and trigger memories for my interviewees. Being in their ‘natural habitat’ allows them to relax, recall details more vividly and communicate more effectively.

On-site insights: talking on the go brings out the story

Stories shared on the go – in cars, cafes or on a walk through a plant – have a different flavour to the ones you hear in a boardroom or over a Teams call. Spending a day on the road with a business owner and visiting their suppliers and staff provides invaluable insights. Getting to see team interactions and absorb the overall atmosphere helps me capture the authentic voices and spirit of the subject for when I get back to my desk in Melbourne.

From construction sites to winery tours

On-site experiences can uncover hidden gems. Whether it’s going behind the scenes on major Australian construction projects, exploring a winery, travelling to remote mines or enjoying a cup of tea with a business founder as they share their photo albums in their living rooms, these experiences often reveal the true essence of the story.

Some of my most memorable trips during my fifteen years as a writer at Hyphen involved travelling with the Socceroos for World Cups and the Asian Cup. Visiting South Africa, Brazil and Qatar was essential for capturing their journey accurately. Our photographer even donned a Socceroos tracksuit to blend in and ‘facilitate’ security processes.

In 2020, the pandemic only reinforced the importance of in-person interviews. Sure, it’s possible to do things remotely – sometimes it’s even preferable – but face-to-face conversations still make for the strongest connections.

Neil Montagnana-Wallace