{"id":75975,"date":"2023-06-14T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/uncategorized\/brand-storytelling-defined\/"},"modified":"2025-02-20T07:52:15","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T12:52:15","slug":"brand-storytelling-defined","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/strategy\/brand-storytelling-defined\/","title":{"rendered":"Brand Storytelling: How to Craft &#038; Tell Your Brand Story"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>What is more motivating \u2013 reason or emotion? This amazing quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupery helps provide an answer.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cIf you want to build a ship, don\u2019t drum up the men to gather wood or assign them tasks. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Think about it. What is the end result of all your marketing efforts? Action. You want customers to act, whether it\u2019s to sign up for an email newsletter or make a purchase. That means, at its core, marketing exists to motivate.<\/p>\n<p>Persuasive blogs, informational videos, and thought-provoking infographics are all published to convince consumers to become leads, and then paying customers, and then retained customers. But the thread that binds your strategy together is the brand story within your marketing campaigns. This is what actually impels consumers to act. Storytelling is the \u2018pixie dust\u2019 of marketers. It is what makes what you do <i>resonate<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>Weave storytelling into your marketing and you can connect with your audience on a personal level and pull heart strings. This is where we form the bridge between the consumer and the company and explain on a deeper level why one needs the other.<\/p>\n<p>So, how do you effectively implement and scale brand storytelling into your\u00a0content strategy? We\u2019re going to show the steps to take to do just that.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Quick Takeaways:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Brand storytelling uses narrative formats to create emotional connections with audiences.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Using storytelling in your content marketing allows you to build trust with a buyer.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Following a step-by-step plan can jumpstart your storytelling initiatives.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What Is Brand Storytelling?<\/h2>\n<p>There&#8217;s a lot of confusion around the idea of brand storytelling. It\u2019s becoming a term that is getting thrown around a lot\u2014like <a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/content-marketing\/what-is-content-marketing\/\">content marketing<\/a>\u2014but agencies, companies and thought leaders don\u2019t always agree on a definition. So, we want to solve that with our definition.<\/p>\n<p>Brand Storytelling is<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em>Using a narrative to connect your brand to customers, with a focus on linking what you stand for to the values you share with your customers.<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Simply put, brand storytelling involves creating a narrative to connect your brand to customers, with a focus on linking what you stand for to the values you share with your customers.<\/p>\n<p>To break it down further, here are some more insights into the philosophy:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The narrative describes\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/content-marketing\/important-elements-of-brand-storytelling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">storytelling elements<\/a>, including characters, setting, plot (with a beginning, middle, and end), theme, conflict with climax, and resolution. When content takes this shape, it engrosses the reader and boosts recall. As far as characters go,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/content-marketing\/how-great-brand-stories-connect-you-with-your-customers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">your audience is the hero<\/a>, not your brand.<\/li>\n<li>The \u201cwhat you stand for&#8221; element is your brand\u2019s heart. It\u2019s not your product or service. It\u2019s your \u201cwhy.\u201d Why you do what you do, outside of generating revenue.<\/li>\n<li>Values are the attributes of your brand. These aren\u2019t abstract aspirations but the embodiment of your culture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With all these elements, you\u2019ll be able to grab the buyer\u2019s attention and create deeper connections. Because everybody loves a great story. Storytelling is a human pastime, something we\u2019ve been doing for thousands of years.<\/p>\n<p>Brand storytelling is gaining momentum in the marketing world, and with good reason. Stories are scientifically proven to get a person\u2019s attention. In fact, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2012\/03\/18\/opinion\/sunday\/the-neuroscience-of-your-brain-on-fiction.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"broken_link\">stories stimulate brain activity<\/a>. When we read or hear plot points our neurons start firing\u2014and not just in the part of the brain that controls the language center. With brand storytelling, you can create an emotional connection with your audience.<\/p>\n<div><strong>  PS \u2013 I put together these 10 tips for optimizing your content marketing. <a href=\"https:\/\/go.marketinginsidergroup.com\/tips_workshop?\/utm_source=link\">Watch Now!<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5433\" src=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/3031419-inline-onespotscience4-12.jpg\" alt=\"Source: Fast Company\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A story includes characters, setting, conflict, rising action, climax and d\u00e9nouement. Creating these points allows your audience to easily follow along with a story\u2014and remember it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2428343 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Brand-storytelling-infographic.png\" alt=\"infographic of brand storytelling elements\" width=\"850\" height=\"772\" \/><em>Source: Unspun<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Ideally, you can encapsulate what you stand for in just two or three words. Nike stands for <em>athletic excellence<\/em>\u2014not sneakers or sports equipment. Disney stands for <em>family happiness<\/em>\u2014not theme parks or movies.<\/p>\n<p><em>Values<\/em> are the character traits of your company that define it. A lot of companies randomly say their values are words like integrity, innovation, etc., but they choose these words because they sound nice, not because they truly reflect who they are.<\/p>\n<p>A company\u2019s values are the best behaviors of your best employees on their best days. In other words, if you highly value that salesperson who will bend the rules to land the big deal, then \u201cintegrity\u201d is not your value; winning is. If that\u2019s truly what you value, embrace it.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Do You Need a Brand Story?<\/h2>\n<p>Imagine that you\u2019re on a first date. Okay, we know it can be a little nerve-wracking, but stay with us. Think of everything you do on a first date: There may be some nervous laughter, some playful banter, telling of jokes. But most importantly, it\u2019s you divulging information about yourself. Your date leaning over the table, looking intently at you, trying to determine details about your life before asking, \u201cSo, what\u2019s your story?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s straight out of rom-com, but it\u2019s a broad enough question that invites the answerer (you) to take unlimited paths. How do <em>you<\/em> want to present yourself? What will be the first thing you\u2019ll share? Will you talk about your strengths, your affinity for books, how close you are to your family\u2014or will you start slow with the basics?<\/p>\n<p>What details you share and how you frame them is your story. Sharing parts of who we are is an intimate act, and it\u2019s one that helps us grow closer to one another. And if your business shares its story with your audience, they will feel more connected to your business.<\/p>\n<p>So again, why do you need a story for your brand?<\/p>\n<div><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"an1\" src=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/72-1.png\"  alt=\"72 1\" width=\"21\" height=\"21\" data-emoji=\" \" aria-label=\" \" \/>\u00a0PS \u2013 Check out our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/content-marketing\/how-a-tech-media-agency-earned-2-3x-the-inbound-leads-with-migs-content-services\/\">latest case study<\/a>\u00a0that shows how we helped one company double their leads!<\/strong><\/div>\n<h3>Stories Inspire Action<\/h3>\n<p>One of the oldest forms of art, stories have been around for centuries. We\u2019ve shared them to pass along our history, make each other laugh, and attempt to relate to one another. Our natural curiosity makes us more inclined to listen. Stories tug at our heartstrings and make us cry. They can make us feel happy. They can inspire us to make a change or make an action. But for any of this to happen, there has to be a \u201cwhy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Simon Sinek is a motivational speaker and organizational consultant. In his popular Ted Talk, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ted.com\/talks\/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action\/up-next\">How great leaders inspire action<\/a>\u201d, Sinek talks about what he calls the \u201cgolden circle.\u201d It explores, the what, how, and why of storytelling.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"How great leaders inspire action | Simon Sinek | TED\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qp0HIF3SfI4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Essentially:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>What<\/strong> do you do?<\/li>\n<li><strong>How<\/strong> will you do it?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Why<\/strong> do you do it?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The \u201cwhat\u201d and \u201chow\u201d are easy enough: You know what products or services you offer, and you probably know how you do it (Sinek gives \u201cdifferentiated value proposition\u201d as an example). But the why is more difficult for the majority of businesses. The \u201cwhy,\u201d Sinek says, is not \u201cto make a profit.\u201d Because isn\u2019t that the point of any business pursuit? Instead, your \u201cwhy\u201d is your purpose.<\/p>\n<p>Patagonia sells clothing (everyday wear and outdoor attire) and accessories and outdoor gear (like sleeping bags and water bottles). When you look at Patagonia\u2019s mission statement (their \u201cwhy\u201d, or reason for being in business), you <em>won\u2019t<\/em> read:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>We make exceptional clothing and gear so you can be ready for all your outdoor adventures. It\u2019s not terribly inspiring, is it?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>It hardly scratches the surface of the \u201cwhy\u201d; instead, it tells us \u201cwhat\u201d they do with some excess language. But fortunately for Patagonia, their real mission statement gets to the heart of the \u201cwhy\u201d:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>We\u2019re in business to save our home and planet\u2026 At Patagonia, we appreciate that all life on earth is under threat of extinction. We aim to use the resources we have\u2014our business, our investments, our voice, and our imaginations\u2014to do something about it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>For individuals who love the outdoors, hearing that a company\u2014especially one that sells sporting gear\u2014is active in protecting the environment makes you want to support them in turn. Because, Sinek enlightens us during the middle of his talk, \u201cPeople don\u2019t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. If you talk about what you believe, you will attract those who believe what you believe.\u201d Patagonia got it right by sharing their love for the earth and their desire to protect it\u2014because their consumers feel the same way.<\/p>\n<p>No matter how many companies sell wedding dresses, cooking utensils, or school supplies, and regardless of how many plumbers, electricians, or carpet cleaners you can find, none of them will have the same \u201cwhy\u201d. Like people, each company has a different story. And it\u2019s important that you craft this story and share it with the world so you can attract like-minded consumers.<\/p>\n<h3>Storytelling Is Central to Content Marketing<\/h3>\n<p>Employing storytelling can be very potent. It\u2019s actually part science, as human brains react to narratives in a more complex way than just reading a list of statistics. Check out the video below on a host of neurological findings around storytelling in a TEDx talk by presentation expert David JP Phillips.<\/p>\n<figure><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Nj-hdQMa3uA\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/figure>\n<p>Beyond the science aspect, there are many advantages of storytelling.<\/p>\n<p>It attracts the \u201cright\u201d customers: Remember, your audience is the hero of the story. For those that identify with this, it equates to finding more engaged customers. They are likely to stay loyal and become advocates.<\/p>\n<p>It makes retention less challenging: After someone becomes a customer, the journey isn\u2019t over. If the foundation of your relationship is emotional, they are less likely to defect to a competitor.<\/p>\n<p>It promotes authenticity: Customers are all in for brands to be genuine and transparent. A\u00a0study found that 90% of buyers\u00a0believe authenticity is important. However, only 51 percent believe brands are accomplishing this, which means there\u2019s more work and opportunity ahead.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><figure style=\"width: 430px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/stackla.png\"  alt=\"Stackla\" width=\"430\" height=\"344\" data-image=\"60039\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image:\u00a0Stackla<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"an1\" src=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/72-2.png\"  alt=\"72 2\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" data-emoji=\" \" aria-label=\" \" \/> <strong>Hey \u2013 Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/content-builder-services\/\">weekly blog content service<\/a>\u00a0to grow your website traffic and leads!<\/strong><\/div>\n<h3>A Story Connects You to Your Customers<\/h3>\n<p>The marketplace is more crowded than ever\u2014and competing for attention is more difficult than it was even a decade ago. Combine that with a buyer\u2019s journey where the customer is in control of the path to purchase; buying is now social, self-directed, trust-based and transparent.<\/p>\n<p>The best way to reach a customer who\u2019s deciding what and when she\u2019ll buy is to stop pushing your products so hard and focus more on why your business exists at all. When you tell this story and <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2014\/10\/why-your-brain-loves-good-storytelling\">explain your values<\/a> you\u2019ll engage the customers who share your values.<\/p>\n<p>When you find the people who share your values, there\u2019s a much better chance they\u2019ll stay loyal to you (though we know that even brand loyalty has changed).<\/p>\n<p>Your story then becomes your company strategy, which propels your brand forward. It\u2019s an idea well-known venture capitalist Ben Horowitz introduced.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/carminegallo\/2014\/04\/29\/your-story-is-your-strategy-says-vc-who-backed-facebook-and-twitter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">He said:<\/a> <em>\u201cYou can have a great product, but a compelling story puts the company into motion. If you don\u2019t have a great story it\u2019s hard to get people motivated to join you, to work on the product, and to get people to invest in the product.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Figuring out why your company exists, and then telling that story to your prospective customers through marketing messages from social media posts, to your blog, to advertisements and videos, is the goal of brand storytelling.<\/p>\n<p>Having a brand story and <em>what you stand for<\/em> at the core of your company strategy does more than just help guide marketing activities and create consistent messages that connect with your audience. It gets your team on the same page It energizes them so that they know where they\u2019re going and why they\u2019re going there.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2428345 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Brand-Story-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"journey of buyer through brand story\" width=\"604\" height=\"340\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Source: Typewriter<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Stories Mold Consumer Behavior<\/h3>\n<p>The power of the story to move and mold society is nothing new. In fact, it is as ingrained in our psyches as anything can be, with the original storytellers being the main influencers and leaders of tribal society. Thousands of years ago, it was the shamans\u2019 stories that preserved \u2013 and shaped \u2013 the beliefs, values, and shared history of a culture.<\/p>\n<p>Today, it may be more important than ever for marketers, as using advertising to send a message to consumers is becoming increasingly challenging. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adweek.com\/brand-marketing\/why-brands-need-skip-ads-and-start-telling-stories-170905\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Scott Donaton<\/a>, chief content officer with Digitas Studios, points to two factors that are both weakening ads and empowering good storytelling at the same time.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The increasing ability to skip ads. It\u2019s not just the remote control anymore. It is ad blockers and video streaming services, TiVo and the iPod. Consumers are becoming unreachable.<\/li>\n<li>Your audience is becoming more sophisticated. They expect, want, and demand more from brands. The list is long, from personalization to value-driven, informative content, but it all boils down to wanting to connect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To answer both of these shifts, a greater focus on storytelling has become the welcome solution in marketing. Tell a good story, no one can resist it. Tell a good story, and you bring us all together. Consumers may be tired of ads, but human beings have loved storytelling for millennia.<\/p>\n<p>Donaton points to director and producer Ridley Scott as an example. He gave us <em>Alien<\/em> and <em>The Martian<\/em>, and the famous Apple commercial, <em>1984<\/em>. If all commercials were like Scott\u2019s, I\u2019m willing to bet no one would be looking away.<\/p>\n<p>Advertising would essentially undergo a paradigm shift. From a foundation of selling through dishing out information, to one of connecting, through engaging with information, creating a participatory experience between company and consumer.<\/p>\n<p>One great example of brand storytelling comes from Chipotle:<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/S1zXGWK_knQ\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>With all the advantages of storytelling, now it\u2019s time to put the strategy in motion.<\/p>\n<h2>How to Craft Your Brand Story<\/h2>\n<p>You know you need to tell your story. You know you <em>have<\/em> a story. But how do you pull it from the mind, mold it, and make it consumable for your audience? Sometimes you\u2019ll have a story right away; sometimes, it isn\u2019t as obvious at first and may require some more work. Here are steps you can follow to craft a story that works for your brand.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Think about your company\u2019s beginning.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Where did it all begin? Was your company\u2019s conception based on the spark of an idea at a coffee shop? Was it an accident? A coming together of the minds? That\u2019s your story. Tell it like it happened. It\u2019s raw, honest, and most importantly, it\u2019s the truth. You\u2019ll find customers who have been in the same situation or experienced the same feelings\u2014and that similarity is what is going to connect you.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t have an inspirational story? Don\u2019t worry. You still have a \u201cwhy,\u201d but it takes some more brainstorming. If your company is new, think about what issues you hope your product or service will resolve. Think about the impact it can have on peoples\u2019 lives, whether individually or on a large scale.<\/p>\n<p>If your company is seasoned (and you\u2019re thinking about your brand story due to a re-brand or other strategic move), think about what you\u2019ve done and the feedback you\u2019ve gotten from customers. How has your company evolved from what it was at the beginning, a year ago, or five years ago compared to today? By sifting through this information, you should be able to find your \u201cwhy\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Write your story.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Grab your tablet, your laptop, your notebook, or your phone. It\u2019s time to let words flow. Now that you know your story, what you\u2019re about, and why you do what you do, you can begin to craft your story. The key to writing your story is being honest.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s easier said than done when your story is based on an actual event. (\u201cI was working on a research paper when I read that Styrofoam takes 500 years to \u2018forever\u2019 to decompose. I knew there had to be an option that was better for consumers and the environment.\u201d)<\/p>\n<p>But what if nothing really \u201csparked\u201d your company\u2019s creation? Or, if something did, but the \u201ctrue\u201d story is dull and not engaging? You can take <em>some<\/em> liberties, but the truth must still shine through. But how do you do that?<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s say you came up with an idea for a product, but you didn\u2019t really have a reason for coming up with the product. It sort of just happened. In a case like this one, think about your product (or service) and its potential. What do you <em>envision<\/em> it could do?<\/p>\n<p>Your story doesn\u2019t necessarily have to revolve around the impetus of your company\u2019s start. Instead, it can focus on why you\u2019re continuing to run the company. Sure, because you believe in the product, but there\u2019s some underlying reasoning there (that isn\u2019t money). But you may need to go into the deep end to find it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12314\" src=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/asana-story.png\"  alt=\"Asana Story\" width=\"700\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Source: https:\/\/medium.com\/building-asana\/circling-ourselves-the-story-behind-asana-s-rebrand-e8247516705a<\/p>\n<p>Follow these steps while writing your brand story:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stay true to your brand\u2019s voice.<\/li>\n<li>Keep it simple; being overly elaborate can impact recall.<\/li>\n<li>Maintain a good pace to the story; don\u2019t go off on tangents.<\/li>\n<li>Introduce emotion whenever possible.<\/li>\n<li>Remain authentic and genuine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"hs-featured-image-wrapper\">\n<p><strong>3. Share your story with everyone, everywhere.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Repetition and recognition are super-important. People need to associate your brand with your story and your story with your brand immediately upon hearing one or the other. That\u2019s because your story <em>is<\/em> your brand, and your brand elements are how you\u2019re going to convey it to the world.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to sharing your story, keep these items in mind:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Be consistent:<\/strong> The only way to build your brand and strengthen your story is by telling it the same way each time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Honesty is key:<\/strong> We said it earlier, but it\u2019s worth repeating. Your customers want to do business with companies that they identify as trustworthy. Your story can help establish this trust by being truthful.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reiterate your offering:<\/strong> You always want your customers to know why you\u2019re in business. Do they have a problem that you can solve? Tell them. Is your product or service better than competitors, not just because of its quality but because of your company as a whole? Prove it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Now comes the challenge of staying honest and true to your company\u2019s story (the \u201cAbout Us,\u201d the \u201cWhy We\u2019re in Business,\u201d the \u201cOur Story\u201d). You\u2019ll have to use your brand to share this story with your audience because it\u2019s one of the best wants to connect with them.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, the actual crafting of the story that fits <em>your<\/em> brand isn\u2019t an easy task because it\u2019s one of the most important elements of your company. A consumer will visit your site and view your products or services. And then curiosity will strike, and they\u2019ll want to know more about you. They\u2019ll search for the link to the page that answers a burning question: \u201cSo, what\u2019s your story?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>The Hero&#8217;s Journey<\/h2>\n<figure><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aO_8uLrEyxg\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/figure>\n<p>Every story needs a hero. Your brand story does, too. A\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.foleon.com\/blog\/4-elements-of-a-powerful-brand-story\">hero\u2019s journey<\/a>\u00a0takes a story\u2019s central character on a journey replete with a wise guide (think Yoda!), a set of trials, conquering the ultimate challenge, and coming back home changed forever.<\/p>\n<p>The steps to telling great stories take their cues from the Hero\u2019s Journey. It\u2019s the template for storytelling made famous by Joseph Campbell in his book\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Thousand-Faces-Collected-Joseph-Campbell\/dp\/1577315936\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>The Hero with a Thousand Faces<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><figure style=\"width: 636px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/1024px-Heroesjourney.svg.png\"  alt=\"1024px Heroesjourney.svg\" width=\"636\" height=\"640\" data-image=\"60040\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image: The Hero with a Thousand Faces<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n<p>The Hero\u2019s Journey is a formula, but it\u2019s not one you must adhere to precisely. There\u2019s always room for adjustment and creativity, and the stories you\u2019re writing aren\u2019t science fiction novels. Instead, what\u2019s most important is getting these seven steps right.<\/p>\n<h3>Step One: What Can You Turn into a Story?<\/h3>\n<p>Writing great stories for your brand starts with determining what you can turn into a story. What will work in a narrative format? Here are some tips for ideation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Are there particular challenges or situations your customers are facing that would make a good story?<\/li>\n<li>Case studies and customer stories are some of the easiest content formats to turn into stories. However, many brands don\u2019t add much personality or story elements to these, so it\u2019s something to consider.<\/li>\n<li>Gathering insights directly from customers through surveys, feedback, or what you hear from sales or customer service can be good fodder for stories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Step Two: Define Your Hero<\/h3>\n<p>Every story begins with the hero. You already know that your customer is the hero, but you need to flesh that out to an actual character with motivations, feelings, challenges, and needs. In developing the hero, it should mirror the traits of your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/demand-generation\/what-to-include-in-a-buyer-persona-infographic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">buyer personas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re setting up who this person is and what makes them tick. If you do this well, customers will see themselves in the story. When someone identifies with a character in a story, it becomes an even more powerful device.<\/p>\n<h3>Step Three: Develop the Hero\u2019s Goal or Journey<\/h3>\n<p>Every hero needs a goal or journey. The first question is, \u201cWhat does your character want?\u201d The answer can be simple or complex. It depends on the context.<\/p>\n<p>For example, if you\u2019re a company that sells software for big data analysis, then your hero\u2019s journey is to understand their data and be able to do something with it. Now, this probably doesn\u2019t sound like a page-turner, but it could be with the right tone and energy.<\/p>\n<p>The goal will run through the story and be its foundation. It sets up the plot with its beginning. How will the hero solve their problem?<\/p>\n<h3>Step Four: Inject Conflict<\/h3>\n<p>Stories always have conflict; it\u2019s what makes them exciting. Taking the example above, the hero faces many conflicts to achieving the goals:<\/p>\n<p><em>There\u2019s too much data.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>I don\u2019t have a huge budget.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>I can\u2019t get buy-in from leadership.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Other solutions are too complex.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Those are all real-life conflicts you can frame in your narrative, showing the hero roaming through their path, incurring so many challenges to accomplish their crucial goals.<\/p>\n<h3>Step Five: Add Some Drama<\/h3>\n<p>The conflict is the beginning of the drama. Now is the time to add elements that make it exciting and entertaining for the reader. You could include interactions with others that are causing the conflict and create suspense and intrigue. You can take this more seriously or lighten it up with humor.<\/p>\n<h3>Step Six: Let Your Hero Experience Change<\/h3>\n<p>In any great book, the hero goes through things that bring about an evolution. Your hero should do the same thing. Maybe they feel backed into a corner with the problem. They have frustrations or anger.<\/p>\n<p>The hero should change in the story as they get closer to their goal. Their change, along with other characters, is key to making it compelling. The transformation of characters indicates they learned new things along the way, which makes their mission attainable.<\/p>\n<h3>Step Seven: Give It an Ending<\/h3>\n<p>Your hero has made it through the journey. They faced challenges, conflict, and drama. However, they finally found what they desired. They did so with the help of your brand. This isn\u2019t the time to turn the story into a commercial. Rather, it\u2019s an opportunity to highlight how your \u201cwhy\u201d aligns with what they need to succeed. It\u2019s about how your brand makes the hero&#8217;s goal achievable.<\/p>\n<h2>How to Tell a Powerful Brand Story<\/h2>\n<p>So, as a marketer, someone who already wears many hats ranging from data analyst to strategic planner, can you excel as a storyteller as well? Can you weave the story of your brand, clearly and cohesively through social media campaigns, web content, and video?<\/p>\n<p>Here are the techniques that will help you intrigue, inspire, motivate, and compel your audience to take the next step down your sales funnel.<\/p>\n<h3>Start with the Customer, Not You<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cWait a minute!\u201d you say. \u201cShouldn\u2019t my brand story be about my company?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nope.<\/p>\n<p>One of my team members is a lifelong introvert. You\u2019d never guess that talking to her. Here\u2019s her secret: When she meets someone new, she always asks them thoughtful questions about themselves instead of listing off her likes, dislikes, and accomplishments.<\/p>\n<p>People think she\u2019s a great conversationalist. That\u2019s because she puts whomever she\u2019s talking to at the center of the conversation. Brand conversations should do likewise.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/content-marketing\/brand-content-marketing-strategy\/\">Branded content marketing<\/a>, therefore, should start with the customer. Their interests. Their ambitions. Their needs. Those pesky thoughts that keep them up at night.<\/p>\n<p>Think about the iconic brands that have captured the loyalty of their customers down through the generations. Coca-Cola. Nike. McDonald\u2019s. So many more.<\/p>\n<p>All have one thing in common. Their brand stories revolve around their customers and their needs:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Quenching their thirst<\/li>\n<li>Jumping higher<\/li>\n<li>Satisfying their cravings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>They\u2019ve done customer-centric content so well that the moment we see even their logo, our mouths start watering, or our hearts beat faster. The customer becomes part of the brand. She \u2013 or he \u2013 becomes part of the brand story.<\/p>\n<h3>Tug at Their Heartstrings with Your Mission<\/h3>\n<p>At first glance, you might think that Coca-Cola, Nike, and McDonald\u2019s don\u2019t have a mission. You\u2019d be wrong. Buried just beneath the surface in their messaging are subtle hints that reach beyond your five senses into the depths of your heart.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For Coca-Cola, it\u2019s about bringing people together over an ice-cold Coke.<\/li>\n<li>For Nike, it\u2019s about empowering athletes to be the best so they can inspire others to achieve.<\/li>\n<li>For McDonald&#8217;s, it\u2019s about helping people save time and money when they\u2019re just too busy to cook.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Other iconic brands bring their mission to the forefront of their messaging. Patagonia, the go-to equipment and clothing brand for outdoorspeople, makes its mission the central message.<\/p>\n<figure><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FaK3koLyChE\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/figure>\n<p>Instead of featuring its products, it focuses on its commitment to make the earth a cleaner, greener place to explore. In doing so, it zeroes in on one of its target customers\u2019 major pain points: worrying about a world in which there are no wildernesses left to explore.<\/p>\n<h3>Use Tried-and-True Story Elements and a Flowing Narrative<\/h3>\n<p>Content marketers could learn a lot from gifted fiction writers as they craft their brand story. Stories, as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/strategy\/brand-storytelling-defined\/\">research shows<\/a>, stimulate their readers\u2019 (or hearers\u2019) brain activity.<\/p>\n<p>The minute you start hearing information in story form, your neurons power up to warp speed. Whether it\u2019s Progressive\u2019s Flo and crew or My Pillow\u2019s tales of insomnia-ridden couples encountering its founder in their midnight stumbles through their house, there\u2019s a reason why these ads connect \u2013 they follow the tried-and-true formulas that have enthralled people from ancient times on.<\/p>\n<p>First of all, they follow the standard narrative form: characters, setting, conflict, action that rises to a climax, the climax itself, and the d\u00e9nouement \u2013 where the storyteller pulls the whole story together, tying up the loose ends with an explanation \u2013 a resolution.<\/p>\n<p>Progressive and My Pillow, as well as most popular brand messages, certainly have memorable characters. Though frankly a little goofy, Flo and her crew stumble through awkward marketing campaigns and team meetings, only to have the brand\u2019s deep discount itself save the day.<\/p>\n<p>My Pillow, on the other hand, allows its founder\u2019s well-known eccentricity to become part of the story, jumping out of bathroom mirrors, pillows in hand, to show sleepless couples why their current pillows just don\u2019t cut it. Coca-Cola, on the other hand, turns everyday consumers into heroes, as it did in its iconic \u201cI\u2019d Like to Teach the World to Sing,\u201d or its 2018 Ramadan ad, where an empathetic woman buys a Coke for an observant stranger just as the sun sets.<\/p>\n<h3>Make Sure Your Brand Story Is Authentic<\/h3>\n<p>We\u2019ve all heard about brand horror stories. The \u201cenvironmentally friendly\u201d company that some ace reporter discovered was polluting the stream that ran behind its factory. The \u201cMade in the USA\u201d company whose product components came from a sweatshop in a Third World country. The \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2017\/01\/31\/dining\/animal-welfare-labels.html\" class=\"broken_link\">humanely raised\u201d<\/a>\u00a0chickens that turn out to be anything but.<\/p>\n<p>Just don\u2019t let it be your brand. It takes years to build a reputation, but only a few minutes to wreck it.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, do the research and the groundwork to ensure that your message paints a true picture of what your brand stands for. As you grow, keep a close eye on cost-cutting strategies that can cut into your authenticity. Then, let your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/content-marketing\/develop-content-marketing-strategy-not-plan\/\">content marketing strategy<\/a>\u00a0reflect who you really are as a brand.<\/p>\n<p>In other words, you might want to raise prices a bit instead of outsourcing your manufacturing to a sweatshop. You might want to pay that free-range farmer a bit more for her authentic free-range eggs than to risk the loss of reputation that comes from someone discovering that your definition of \u201cfree-range\u201d is a 3\u2019 x 3\u2019 cage.<\/p>\n<p>Tell the truth\u00a0\u2013 and you\u2019ll never lose a good night\u2019s sleep. Even if that My Pillow guy crawls into your bathroom mirror. We guarantee it.<\/p>\n<p>If you are ready to get more traffic to your site with quality\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/content-marketing\/how-great-brand-stories-connect-you-with-your-customers\/\">brand stories<\/a>\u00a0published consistently, check out our Content Builder Service. Set up a <a href=\"https:\/\/go.marketinginsidergroup.com\/free-consultation\">quick consultation<\/a>, and I&#8217;ll send you a free PDF version of my books.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/content-builder-services\/\">Get started today<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 and generate more traffic and leads for your business.<\/p>\n<h3>Convey Your Brand Purpose<\/h3>\n<p>Today\u2019s consumers aren\u2019t just passively buying from brands. They view their purchases as extensions of their identity and values. What this means for marketers is that effective marketing can\u2019t just be about promoting a product for its sole use or benefits anymore. Successful marketing needs to be able to create a purpose, a community and a culture that consumers can share and be a part of.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPurpose\u201d is about values \u2013 values about who you are, what you stand for, what you do for others, the causes you serve. A compelling purpose gives consumers a way to connect with your brand and values, and to get to know how your products or services add real value to people\u2019s lives beyond just selling things for profits. Brands who can successfully target consumers based on these shared values are ones who will ultimately win their attention and dollars.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2013\/03\/purpose-is-good-shared-purpose\">big brands<\/a> like Nike, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Adidas are turning to purpose to better connect and engage their consumers. So what makes some companies so successful while others fail?<\/p>\n<p>The difference lies in storytelling. You can\u2019t activate and reinforce purpose without storytelling. As a marketer, you need to be able to connect your own personal values and drives to your brand\u2019s purpose and articulate that story to your audience. This type of narrative is what\u2019s needed for consumers to listen to you and be inspired to join in on your brand\u2019s purpose. Here&#8217;s one example from Yeti:<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2IFOjWPZvqE\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>And how do you this? Marshall Ganz, who teaches storytelling courses at Harvard\u2019s Kennedy School of Government, recommends following this simple 3-step framework to develop compelling, purpose-driven narratives for your brand:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. \u201cSelf\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The first step to creating an effective narrative for your brand is to start with \u201cself.\u201d This focuses on explaining how certain events in your life established specific personal values that will later link to your company\u2019s values.<\/p>\n<p>An excellent example is Steve Jobs\u2019 famous <a href=\"https:\/\/news.stanford.edu\/news\/2005\/june15\/jobs-061505.html\" class=\"broken_link\">Commencement address<\/a> at Stanford University in 2015. Jobs shared three stories that were largely a personal reflection of his life \u2013 his humble working-class upbringing and dropping out of college, founding and later getting fired by Apple, and his cancer diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>Jobs spoke about how his passion for calligraphy would later guide his design work at Apple, and how his cancer diagnosis encouraged him to live more passionately and authentically as if every day were his last.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s so compelling about Jobs\u2019 speech is how real and raw his stories seemed. Each story gave the audience a glimpse into who Jobs was and his values, motivations and passions.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UF8uR6Z6KLc\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>A great story of self has to be authentic and genuine. Finding that story may require a deep reflection on your past and your values, and sharing these personal experiences and moments with your audience.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. \u201cUs\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The second step is what Ganz calls the \u201cus,\u201d which involves connecting your values with broader values shared by your audience. By weaving your personal stories into the experiences, values and passions of others, you create a common narrative for your audience.<\/p>\n<p>A great example of this is the story of Burt\u2019s Bees founder, Burt Shavitz, featured on their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.burtsbees.ca\/w\/about-us\/our-story\/our-history.html\">company\u2019s website<\/a>. The journey takes us from the time Burt met his partner Roxanne and how the two started the business, to how their story became the \u201cstory of us\u201d \u2013 of the company, their consumers and products, and the values they shared.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2428365 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-03-30-at-2.20.16-PM-1024x511.png\" alt=\"burts bees website brand story\" width=\"604\" height=\"301\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A good \u201cus\u201d story aims to build a community and a set of collective values, and share how these values came about.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. \u201cNow\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The final step is a call to action for your audience who wishes to join in on the purpose of your brand.<\/p>\n<p>Take a look at the way the public-benefit corporation Kickstarter asks potential candidates to join their team. Their narrative begins with the founder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/about?ref=about_subnav#the-full-story\" class=\"broken_link\">Perry Chen<\/a> sharing his inspiration behind the launch of Kickstarter (the \u201cself\u201d).<\/p>\n<p>The next section of the site includes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/team?ref=about_subnav\" class=\"broken_link\">photos and short bits of info<\/a> about each employee on the Kickstarter team (the \u201cus\u201d).<\/p>\n<p>The narrative ends with a call to action on their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/jobs?ref=about_subnav\" class=\"broken_link\">careers page<\/a>, asking potential candidates: \u201cLove Kickstarter? You\u2019ll fit right in.\u201d People can click to view all current open positions and apply.<\/p>\n<p>Great brand stories are authentic and real, and collectively work together to build common narratives and values your consumers can relate to, and excite them to join in on your purpose and community.<\/p>\n<h3>Use Characters and a Plot<\/h3>\n<p>One of the most effective ways to create an emotional connection is through the use of characters. This can be done in a number of ways.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Brand mascots like the Geico Gecko, Mr. Clean, and the Pillsbury Doughboy<\/li>\n<li>Through the point-of-view of a buyer persona<\/li>\n<li>Through an employee\u2019s point-of-view<\/li>\n<li>Not always possible, but in some cases you can storytell with the product\u2019s point-of-view<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Another important concept to keep in mind is plot. (Feel like you are back in your freshman year creative writing course at college? Good, those are the lessons you should be recalling right now!)<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Start with a strong beginning that places your character in a setting<\/li>\n<li>Follow the character through the middle as they face their conflict<\/li>\n<li>Come to a final resolution at the end<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>With a good plot \u2013 it doesn\u2019t have to be complex, in fact simple is better in most marketing campaigns \u2013 your audience will stay interested whether you are publishing a promotional video on one of your social media channels or are following a character through a series of posts.<\/p>\n<h3>Be Digitally Creative<\/h3>\n<p>This is where it can be really fun to be a marketing professional today. In the world of content marketing, there are so many <a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/marketing-strategy\/marketing-trends\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">mediums and channels you can use<\/a>, from downloadable apps for your brand to live streaming, and email newsletters. You can go as simple as a video series on Facebook to help drive brand awareness, to being more dynamic, getting the audience involved in your character\u2019s journey through social media interaction.<\/p>\n<h2>Connecting with Customers Through Stories<\/h2>\n<p>Sure, telling a good story is about using your imagination and being creative with the content and your format, but it\u2019s also about being tuned into your audience. Keep your main buyer personas in mind as you work on your brand storytelling. What would they think of your messaging?<\/p>\n<p>The question many companies and organizations continue to struggle with is:\u00a0 how do we use stories to create and nurture customer relationships?<\/p>\n<p>It comes down to <a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/content-marketing\/13-examples-engaging-interactive-content\/\">listening, learning and engaging<\/a> with your customers. Take out assumptions and lead your audience along a journey without selling or pushing them. Staying genuine and authentic will increase brand awareness, return higher engagement rates and, ultimately, convert more qualified leads.<\/p>\n<p>Keeping your content honest equates to authentic storytelling. Strive to provide customers with an opportunity to feel like they are part of a larger group.<\/p>\n<p>Research from psychologists Roy Baumeister and Mark Leary best describes this need in their \u201cbelongingness hypothesis\u201d: \u201cPeople have a basic psychological need to feel closely connected to others, and that caring, affectionate bonds from close relationships are a major part of human behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Find a way to connect with your customers on a deeper, <a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/content-marketing\/ways-connect-audience-emotional-level\/\">more emotional level<\/a>. Do you give them peace of mind? Do you make life easier? Use these triggers to strengthen your relationship and foster loyalty. Enhanced loyalty might be the most impactful outcome of well-done storytelling, leading to more engagement with your brand.<\/p>\n<p>Take, for example, a client of a client who focuses in the biopharma market, specifically the rare disease space. Rather than promote one-off campaigns they have designed and executed on behalf of pharma and biotech companies, or differentiate on the novel treatments they helped commercialize, for the past several years they\u2019ve used Rare Disease Day to elevate their story.<\/p>\n<p>This places the larger focus more holistically on rare disease, making it personal by showcasing the patients and care givers who make up this unique community.<\/p>\n<p>Through podcasts, documentary movies, earned, owned and shared media, they have taken their audience down a path via a well-thought out and executed content strategy, one that engages the audience, solicits emotion and, in effect, connects them more closely to the brand.<\/p>\n<p>Given that Rare Disease Day typically falls in February, they use this milestone as a jumping-off point to set the tone of their content marketing, PR and communications strategy for the remainder of the year.<\/p>\n<h2>Visual Storytelling for Brands<\/h2>\n<p>According to research from\u00a0Nielsen, there are 27 million pieces of content shared each day.<\/p>\n<p>We check our phones\u00a0150 times\u00a0per day and our email\u00a030 times\u00a0an hour.<\/p>\n<p>And with the amount of information in the world\u00a0doubling\u00a0every 18 months,\u00a0visual stories\u00a0are becoming more important to brands and individuals alike.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s no surprise that the saying &#8220;A picture is worth a thousand words&#8221; was coined by one of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/A_picture_is_worth_a_thousand_words\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">leading editors<\/a>\u00a0of the 20th century.<\/p>\n<p>Here in the 21st century, there is a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/content-marketing\/the-battle-for-customer-attention\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">battle for customer attention<\/a>\u00a0and the pressure to deliver meaning and business impact quickly is compounded by our always-on digital, social and mobile world.<\/p>\n<p>Images play an increasingly important role in today&#8217;s content marketing approach. They\u00a0help to capture your audience&#8217;s attention, reach deep into their hearts and minds, and they can accomplish all this (literally) at the speed of light.<\/p>\n<p>Some years ago, when I was working for NewsCred, we announced\u00a0an interactive microsite called\u00a0<strong>The Power of Visual Storytelling<\/strong>\u00a0along with an accompanying\u00a0white paper\u00a0and Slideshare deck that we created in partnership with Getty Images.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"The Power of Visual Storytelling \" src=\"https:\/\/www.slideshare.net\/slideshow\/embed_code\/key\/afXkepz2fJ7ayi\" width=\"427\" height=\"356\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"border:1px solid #CCC; border-width:1px; margin-bottom:5px; max-width: 100%;\" allowfullscreen> <\/iframe> <\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom:5px\"> <strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.slideshare.net\/NewsCred\/the-power-of-visual-storytelling-36047183\" title=\"The Power of Visual Storytelling \" target=\"_blank\">The Power of Visual Storytelling <\/a> <\/strong> from <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.slideshare.net\/NewsCred\" target=\"_blank\">NewsCred<\/a><\/strong> <\/div>\n<p>It focuses on the impact of compelling imagery, and defines four principles of visual content. The idea is to bring our audience an engaging digital experience (that is also very visual), while providing tactical take-aways to brand marketers.<\/p>\n<p>When I first saw the microsite, I was blown away. And so I interviewed the person who drove the effort,\u00a0Erika Velazquez, NewsCred&#8217;s Brand and Communications Manager. Check out how the project came about, the process to create it, and our expectations for the content.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>How did you come up with the idea to do the piece?<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nWe&#8217;ve had a long standing relationship with Getty Images. They&#8217;ve been a content partner for years and they spoke at our summit. After being embedded in each others companies for so long \u2013 the idea developed pretty organically. We wanted to create something beautiful that conveyed the power of visual content, but also provide tactical take-aways for marketers to thoughtfully select visuals.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>What was the process like?<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nOverall, it was an extremely collaborative process between our marketing team (including our stellar designer) and the Getty Images team. We worked very closely with Getty Images to develop the storyline \u2013 interviewing key players on their teams, such as Pam Grossman and Micha Schwing.\u00a0We had frequent check-ins, and\u00a0I believe participation across teams drove a ton of creativity along the way. Additionally, we built the entire microsite on Ceros, which was fun because it became an opportunity to learn a new platform.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>What did you learn about creating something like this?<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nMy biggest take-away would be that thoughtfulness is absolutely essential when it comes to design. Our designer was included in the very first meetings. In doing so, it gave him the space to both think through the look and feel, while also contributing ideas that ultimately influenced the content.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Any &#8220;funny&#8221; or &#8220;personal&#8221; stories from the project that you can share?<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nOf course! It was probably one of the most fun projects I&#8217;ve worked on. Having an excuse to comb through the Getty Images library was an absolute dream.\u00a0It sparked really interesting discussions on the evolution of stock photography. But of course, in talking so much about stock photography, we also become obsessed with finding terrible stock images (not from Getty Images, of course). Just to give you a sense of what we were talking about, check out this Buzzfeed gem we found:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzfeed.com\/daves4\/unexplainable-stock-photos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">50 Stock Images You&#8217;ll Never Use<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>What is your expectation for the piece?<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nAside from hoping it goes completely viral, my expectation is that\u00a0visitors\u00a0have a really fun experience and understand the value of impactful visuals, and the value of design.<\/p>\n<h2>Creating Brand Advocates Through Stories<\/h2>\n<p>Speaking of building better relationships, look no further than the earned-shared-owned ecosystem to understand how they magnify each other to support an advocacy program that can take your storytelling to the next level.<\/p>\n<p>At the end of the day, a big part of your content marketing effort is storytelling, not exclusively how you tell your story, but how those who engage with your brand, products and services tell it.<\/p>\n<p>Building brand advocates takes time and resources. It also takes a dedicated approach to nurturing customers\u2019 experiences, so they become loyal and willing to testify to your company\u2019s vision.<\/p>\n<p>Just as brands build advocates in the B2C space, so too can brands in the B2B arena. Why? Because it all comes down to a few core tenets: trust, reference and reviews. If you hit on all of these critical elements, you\u2019re on the path to building brand loyalists.<\/p>\n<p>The winning combination\u00a0of word-of-mouth marketing, trustworthy recommendations and online \u201creviews\u201d move a brand toward higher rates of consideration; therefore, the peer testimonial holds the same weight as it does for consumer brands. The challenge is guiding their passion and honing their experience to funnel into high-quality referrals and, ultimately, drive sales.<\/p>\n<p>What do you think? Have you used a similar approach to tell your brand\u2019s story? I\u2019d love to know if it\u2019s working (or not working) for you. Please share your ideas below!<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Are you interested in engaging and converting new customer for your business? <a href=\"https:\/\/marketinginsidergroup.com\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Contact me here<\/a>\u00a0and let&#8217;s talk about how we can help!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is more motivating \u2013 reason or emotion? This amazing quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupery helps provide an answer. \u201cIf you want to build a ship, don\u2019t drum up the men to gather wood or assign them tasks. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.\u201d Think about it. What is the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":75986,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-strategy"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.3.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Brand Storytelling: How to Craft &amp; Tell Your Brand Story - Marketing Insider Group<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Brand storytelling is a powerful component of content marketing. 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