The Art of the Hustle: Life as a Self-Employed Oral Storyteller

When people ask what I do for a living, and I tell them I’m an oral storyteller, I usually get one of two looks: a nostalgic smile or a look of pure panicked confusion. "So... you read books to kids?"

Not exactly.

Being a professional storyteller isn't about reading off a page; it’s about the electricity between a speaker and a listener. It’s an ancient craft, but making a modern living out of it? That’s where the "self-employed" part gets interesting.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to trade in the currency of "Once upon a time," here is a peek behind the curtain.

1. You Are the Art (and the Office)

In this life, you are the product. There is no set, no CGI or AI embodiment, and often no script—just your voice, your body, and your memory. But when the performance ends, the "business" begins. On any given Tuesday, I am:

• The Performer: Honing timing and vocal inflection.

• The Booking Agent: Scouring festivals, schools, and corporate retreats.

• The Travel Coordinator: Calculating mileage and scouting the best acoustics in old community halls.

• The Accountant: Chasing invoices (because "exposure" doesn’t pay the rent, please read that sentence again for any event booker. Much Love ).

2. The Magic of the "Unplugged" Connection

In a world dominated by 15-second vertical videos, there is something radical about asking people to sit still and listen to a 20-minute folk tale or a personal narrative.

The beauty of self-employment in this niche is the variety. One day, I’m in a kindergarten classroom helping five-year-olds imagine a dragon; the next, I’m in a boardroom helping CEOs use narrative structure to connect with their employees. The medium stays the same, but the "why" changes every day.

3. The Feast and the Famine

Let’s be real: the "gig economy" is a rollercoaster. There are months where the calendar is bleeding red ink with bookings—festivals in the summer or library tours in the fall. Then, there’s the January lull. Survival as a storyteller requires diversification. Most of us don't just perform; we teach workshops, consult on public speaking, or produce podcasts. You have to be as creative with your business model as you are with your metaphors.

Why We Do It

Despite the tax forms and the long drives or flights, there is a moment during a performance—a moment of collective silence—where the audience is leaning in so far they’ve forgotten their phones. In that silence, you aren't just a freelancer; you’re a bridge to the past and a mirror to the present. Being a self-employed storyteller is a balancing act between the ethereal world of myth and the grounded world of marketing. It’s not the easiest path, but it’s certainly the best story I’ve ever told.

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Are you looking to sharpen your own narrative skills?

If this has intrigued you and you feel you're up for the challenge, then let's chat. I can help you develop your Storytelling voice, outline a structure for your next presentation or help you brainstorm a list of "story starters" to find the hidden gems in your own life.