Frequently Asked Questions

Why StoryCorp?

For the best sense of why people choose storytelling training from StoryCorp, see what clients say.

What does StoryCorp offer?

StoryCorp offers storytelling workshops, courses, keynotes, team retreats, and coaching for organizations. Explore available training.

Training is offered virtually, in person, and in a hybrid format where the instructor leads the session with some participants in person while others join remotely via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

What do participants learn?

Depending on the session, participants learn how to identify useful stories in their work, structure them for a specific audience and purpose, and make them clearer and more engaging.

Workshops provide opportunities to practise these skills through exercises, which can be tailored to participants’ own materials and challenges. Keynotes introduce storytelling principles and examples that participants can apply to their work.

What kinds of training has StoryCorp delivered?

Selected engagements:

  • Full-day in-person workshop for 25 communications advisors preparing to rewrite a federal regulatory agency’s public-facing website.

  • Half-day hybrid workshop for 15 government-relations professionals developing policy-focused stories for a national telecommunications company.

  • Three half-day virtual workshops for 60 participants, combining shared storytelling foundations with sessions tailored to individual teams at a provincial Crown corporation.

  • Virtual workshop for a public-relations firm’s three-person writing team, followed by a workshop for the wider organization and individual coaching on client work.

  • One-hour virtual keynote for 300 staff at a federal department’s training day.

  • Half-day in-person workshop at a multinational energy company for 50 retail leaders, followed by virtual small-group coaching on personal stories for an employee event.

  • Six virtual workshops in English and French on storytelling with AI, with 15 participants per workshop, for a federal social-services department.

  • Two half-day in-person workshops for a municipal government communications team, using participants’ media pitches, feature stories, social posts, and video concepts to develop stories about public services.

  • Virtual and hybrid keynotes and team sessions for communications and technology teams at a global financial-services firm, covering general storytelling and social media, with groups of 50–100 participants.

  • Full-day virtual workshop for 25 communications staff at a health-research funding agency, using the agency’s research stories, social posts, newsletters, and staff profiles for practical exercises.

Can the training be customized?

StoryCorp serves clients who prefer the convenience of “off-the-shelf” training as well as those who need custom training. For light customization, StoryCorp reviews client materials and selects examples or exercises that reflect participants’ work. Heavier customization—where entire sessions are built around specific documents, audiences, challenges, or outcomes—is also available.

How many people can take part?

Interactive workshops typically have 10–20 participants, allowing time for discussion, practical exercises, and individual attention. Larger workshops are also available; session design may change depending on group size. Keynotes accommodate larger audiences and generally offer less opportunity for individual practice and feedback. StoryCorp’s past engagements have ranged from workshops for three-person teams to keynotes for 300 participants.

Who leads the training?

StoryCorp’s founder, Arthur Thuot, leads all training. Read Arthur’s bio.

How much does StoryCorp training cost?

Fees depend on the scope of the engagement. For preliminary budgeting, typical investments are:

  • $8,000–$12,000 CAD for a full day of training for one group of up to 25 participants, delivered in one day or split into two half-day sessions, with light customization;

  • $15,000–$25,000 CAD for larger groups, heavier customization, or 2-3 full days; and

  • $25,000 CAD or more for longer engagements, significantly larger groups, broader organizational support, or highly customized work.

What’s included?

Fees typically include at least one alignment call, training materials and the customization agreed in the proposal, a participant intake form and feedback form (if desired), and travel expenses (if applicable).

For workshops, standard full-day scheduling is 9am-4pm, with one hour for lunch and two 15-minute breaks. Standard half-day scheduling is either 9am-noon or 1pm-4pm, with one 15-minute break.

Is training available in French?

Yes. StoryCorp offers full French-language sessions. English-language sessions can be offered in a “Francophone-friendly” environment where participants may ask questions and complete exercises in either official language.

Can StoryCorp navigate procurement and contracting requirements?

Yes. StoryCorp has worked with governments, corporations, nonprofits, and other organizations with formal contracting processes, including requirements involving security clearances and non-disclosure agreements.

For easier contracting with federal entities, StoryCorp holds a Supply Arrangement (ProServices) with the Government of Canada.

How far in advance should we book?

A month or more is helpful, especially for in-person delivery or substantial customization. Shorter timelines are often possible.

How do we take the next step?

To discuss training for your team, contact StoryCorp with your goals, approximate participant count, preferred delivery format, and target dates.