Storyboarding for Influence: Stop Explaining, Start Showing

Welcome and Introductions

Tom Evans | 00:00–02:30
Hi everyone, and welcome to today’s Productside webinar—“Storyboarding for Influence: Stop Explaining, Start Showing.” I’m Tom Evans, and I’ll be your host for this session. Thanks for joining us—drop a quick hello in the chat and let us know where you’re joining from!

We’re excited for this one because storytelling and visualization are at the heart of product leadership. And today, we’ll explore how storyboarding can turn your strategy and roadmaps into something that moves hearts and minds.

Dean Peters | 02:30–04:00
Thanks, Tom, and welcome everyone! I’m Dean Peters from Productside. I’ve been in product for over two decades—from developer to director—and I’ve learned that the best product people aren’t just problem solvers, they’re storytellers. And storyboarding? That’s your secret weapon.

About Productside and Session Overview

Tom Evans | 04:00–06:00
For those new to Productside, we’re an outcome-driven product partner. We help PMs and product leaders build clarity, alignment, and measurable impact.

In today’s webinar, we’ll break down:
1. Why storyboarding beats slide decks.
2. How to craft visual narratives that drive decisions.
3. Real examples from PMs who use storyboards to influence outcomes.

We’ll also have polls and a live Q&A at the end.

Why Storytelling Still Wins in Product

Dean Peters | 06:00–10:30
Storytelling is ancient because it works. We’re wired for stories—not spreadsheets. In product, you can have the best strategy in the world, but if people don’t *feel* it, they won’t follow it.

When you storyboard your ideas—visually showing how a problem unfolds and how your product resolves it—you bridge logic and emotion.

What Is a Storyboard, Really?

Dean Peters | 10:30–14:00
A storyboard is simply a series of frames that illustrate a journey. Each frame answers: what’s happening, who’s involved, and what changes. You can use stick figures, screenshots, or post-its—it doesn’t have to be Pixar-level.

The goal isn’t art—it’s empathy.

Poll #1 – How Often Do You Use Storyboards Today?

Tom Evans | 14:00–15:30
Let’s start with a quick poll—how often do you use storyboards in your product work? Options: frequently, sometimes, rarely, or never.

Dean Peters | 15:30–16:00
Ah, looks like 60% said “rarely.” That’s okay. Most PMs think storyboarding is for design—but it’s just as powerful for strategy.

When to Use Storyboards in Product Work

Dean Peters | 16:00–21:00
Here’s where storyboards shine:
– **During discovery:** to visualize user pain points.
– **During planning:** to align teams on what success looks like.
– **During influence:** when you need to rally execs behind a roadmap.

Each context demands a different level of fidelity—but the same principle applies: show, don’t tell.

The Anatomy of an Effective Storyboard

Dean Peters | 21:00–26:00
A great storyboard has five beats:
1. **The context** – what’s happening now.
2. **The conflict** – what’s painful or broken.
3. **The insight** – what you discovered.
4. **The solution** – how your product helps.
5. **The outcome** – what success looks like.

These five beats keep your story structured without scripting every word.

Poll #2 – What’s Your Biggest Communication Struggle?

Tom Evans | 26:00–27:30
Next poll: what’s your biggest communication struggle as a PM? Is it executive buy-in, team alignment, or stakeholder overload?

Dean Peters | 27:30–28:00
Wow—executive buy-in is leading. No surprise there. Storyboards shine in that space—they get leaders emotionally invested fast.

How to Build Your First Storyboard

Dean Peters | 28:00–33:30
You don’t need fancy tools. Start with sticky notes, sketches, or even PowerPoint. Lay out six boxes across your slide. Then answer these questions in order:
1. Who is the hero?
2. What’s their challenge?
3. What’s the consequence of inaction?
4. What’s the product insight?
5. What’s the transformation?
6. What’s next?

This sequence turns features into emotional journeys.

Case Study – How Storyboarding Changed a Launch

Dean Peters | 33:30–38:00
We worked with a global logistics company whose roadmap kept getting deprioritized. Their PM reframed it visually as a before-and-after storyboard: chaotic warehouse → simple workflow → happy customers. The exec team approved funding in one week. Same data, different delivery.

Storyboarding for Stakeholder Influence

Dean Peters | 38:00–43:00
Storyboarding builds empathy between PMs and execs. Instead of abstract charts, you’re showing human impact. When you replace “efficiency gain of 12%” with “Sam finishes work at 5:00 instead of 7:30,” you make metrics relatable. That’s influence.

Poll #3 – Where Could You Use Storyboards Next?

Tom Evans | 43:00–44:30
Let’s check in—where do you plan to try storyboarding next? Discovery, planning, or roadmap presentations?

Dean Peters | 44:30–45:00
Most of you said “roadmap presentations.” That’s the sweet spot. It’s where you translate logic into belief.

How to Keep It Simple (and Human)

Dean Peters | 45:00–49:00
Don’t overcomplicate it. Avoid jargon. Focus on characters, not charts. People don’t remember your features—they remember how your product made someone’s day easier. Storyboarding reminds us that products serve people, not just portfolios.

Case Study – Storyboards in AI Product Design

Dean Peters | 49:00–53:30
We helped a startup visualize how users trust AI recommendations. Their storyboard showed frustration with data overload and relief through automation. Investors saw it and said, “Now I get it.” They raised funding two weeks later.

Poll #4 – What’s Holding You Back from Using Storyboards?

Tom Evans | 53:30–55:00
Poll four—what’s holding you back from using storyboards more often? Time? Skill? Or team buy-in?

Dean Peters | 55:00–55:30
Top answers: “time” and “buy-in.” Here’s a tip—start with one storyboard for one meeting. Once people see the impact, they’ll ask for more.

Practical Tools and Templates

Dean Peters | 55:30–59:30
If you want to get started, use tools like Figma, Miro, or even Google Slides. The medium doesn’t matter—the mindset does. We’ll share a Productside storyboard template after the session to help you kick off your first one.

Q&A and Closing Remarks

Tom Evans | 59:30–01:03:00
Let’s open it up for a few questions. One from Michelle: “How do you get non-visual stakeholders to engage with storyboards?”

Dean Peters | 01:03:00–01:05:00
Great one. You don’t ask them to draw—you ask them to react. Once they see themselves in the story, they’re part of it.

Tom Evans | 01:05:00–01:07:00
Perfectly said. Thank you, Dean, and thank you to everyone who joined. You’ll get the replay, templates, and storyboard guide in your inbox tomorrow.

Dean Peters | 01:07:00–01:08:00
Thanks all—now go show, not just tell.