Tips for Authentic Storytelling on Digital Platforms

Branding is a first impression with a handshake When you first meet someone, if the conversation ends with your title and what you do, you won’t be remembered. You should share experiences and stories that show who you are. Here’s how I’d communicate your story 🧵 Start with your origin story Maybe it was a problem you faced that had no solution, or a passion that grew into a business. Remember those early days and the spark that started everything. Share the challenges and wins you faced along the way. When I started my agency, I wanted to help businesses navigate digital marketing. I remember working late nights, learning everything I could about the industry, and facing setbacks that made me question if I could pull it off. Each challenge only made me work harder. What are the principles that guide your business? These values should be in every aspect of your story. If customer service is your bread and butter, share stories of going above and beyond for clients. We believe in clear, honest communication with our clients. When a campaign didn’t perform as expected, we had an open conversation with the client and analyzed what went wrong. This honesty not only saved the relationship but also built deeper trust. Your story should highlight the impact you’ve had on your clients. Share specific examples of how your work has made a difference. These stories don’t just showcase your expertise—they show your commitment to your clients’ success. A great brand story connects on an emotional level. Go past facts and figures. You need to make your audience feel something. Whether it’s hope, excitement, or a sense of belonging, your story should create emotions that align with your brand. Your brand story should be consistently reflected in all your website communication and your social media. Look at this as an ongoing dialogue with your audience. We regularly share behind-the-scenes looks at our projects, client success stories, and personal reflections. Communicating your brand story is about living and sharing a narrative that connects with your audience. Start with your origin, highlight your values, showcase your impact, and always strive to connect emotionally. Be consistent and genuine, and your story will resonate. In the end, your brand story is what sets you apart. It’s the unique journey that only you can share. Take the time to craft it well and share it widely. Your audience is waiting to connect with the real, authentic you. Follow me at Kody Nordquist for more insights on business growth and storytelling.

I had the privilege to take the stage and discuss a topic that's becoming increasingly crucial in today's digital landscape: Trust. As AI continues to weave into the fabric of our daily lives, the rise of deep fakes and other manipulative technologies has blurred the lines between reality and fabrication. This is not just a tech issue—it's a broad market challenge that affects all of us, particularly in marketing and business leadership. The old playbook won't cut it anymore. We need to pivot towards creating authentic moments throughout the buyer journey, ensuring transparency and integrity are at the forefront of what we do. "Trust is a good business practice." This isn't just a saying; it's a mandate for our times. Creating authentic moments in the buyer journey is all about fostering genuine connections and transparency. Here are a few examples on how businesses and marketing leaders can implement this: Storytelling with Real Impact: Use real customer stories and case studies to highlight your solutions' impact. This isn't just about showcasing benefits, but also being upfront about the challenges and how your company worked to address them. Authentic storytelling can resonate deeply with potential buyers, making your brand more relatable and trustworthy. Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share behind-the-scenes content that shows how your solutions are made, your team in action, or the thought processes behind major decisions. This kind of transparency can build trust and give customers a sense of being part of your brand’s journey. Live Interactions: Host live Q&A sessions, webinars, or interactive events where potential and existing customers can engage directly with your team. These live interactions allow for real-time communication and can help clarify doubts, share insights, and personalize the experience. Customer-Centric Customization: Offer personalized experiences or products that cater to individual customer needs or preferences. When customers see that a brand is paying attention to their specific requirements, it enhances trust and loyalty. Responsive and Open Communication: Ensure your customer service is not only responsive but also genuinely helpful. Open lines of communication, like social media interactions and customer service chats that provide real solutions, can strengthen trust. Ethical Marketing: Use marketing techniques that are ethical and honest. Avoid overstating capabilities or benefits. Honest marketing will always resonate better with informed consumers who value integrity. How are you building trust in your business? #BusinessLeadership #MarketingInnovation #DigitalTrust #AI #Authenticity

🔍 Recent research by the American Psychological Association reveals a fascinating insight: Seeing your life story as a Hero’s Journey increases meaning in life. 🦸 What is the Hero's Journey? It's a classic template where a hero embarks on an adventure, faces a crisis, overcomes challenges, and returns transformed. This pattern is so prevalent in storytelling that once you notice it, it's everywhere! This template is seen in everything from ancient myths like David and Goliath to shows like Game of Thrones. Hero’s Journey can do more than just increase your sense of meaning and purpose in life; it's a powerful tool in personal branding, sales, job interviews, and even relationships. Here's how transforming your narrative can make a tangible difference. Take, for example, the case of personal branding: 😴 Before: I'm a digital marketing expert with 10 years of experience. 😎 After: Back when I was an intern, my boss put me in charge of our company's social media accounts, a task that seemed straightforward at first. But I quickly realized that getting noticed in the crowded online world was a challenge. My early attempts barely made a dent. Eager to improve, I turned to a colleague who opened my eyes to the world of ranking algorithms and SEO. It took perseverance and a lot of experimenting, but gradually, I mastered the art and science of engagement. Now, I've used these skills to help numerous brands build a strong online presence, reaching out and connecting with millions of customers. 🧩 Let's break that down. What you read was a classic Hero's Journey formula: — Protagonist: Budding digital marketing intern. — Shift: Task with managing the brand's social media. — Quest: Build an online presence and a following for the brand. — Allies: Mentors, colleagues, and industry veterans. — Challenge: Navigating SEO and algorithm nuances. — Transformation: From intern to savvy digital marketing strategist. — Legacy: A seasoned professional known for revitalizing brands' digital identities and growing large followings. 🔥 Your Turn: Reflect on your life and career. Can you see the elements of the Hero's Journey in your own story? Plug in your story in those elements above and see how it sounds versus what you told yourself and others before.  #marketing #research #psychology #brandbuilding

The ‘secret’ ingredient to Social Media success: YOU! Faceless social media pages aren't effective anymore. With AI content improving, standing out is tougher than ever. Many still try to hack their way to success with generic accounts, but it doesn’t work. They fail to connect and engage with their audience, leading to stagnation. The best social media brands are personal brands. >> Here's a deeper dive into why and how to make it work << 1. Tell Professional Stories: Sharing your career journey and client successes makes your content relatable and credible. For instance, talk about the challenges you’ve faced in your industry and how you overcame them. This not only shows your expertise but also humanizes your brand. 2. Share Examples: Use personal experiences to illustrate your points. If you’re discussing a particular strategy, provide a real-world example of how you applied it successfully. This makes abstract concepts tangible and easier to understand. For example, if you’re explaining the importance of SEO, share a story about how optimizing a client’s website led to a significant traffic increase. 3. Give Opinions: Don’t shy away from expressing your views. Whether it’s subtly criticizing a common practice in your niche or taking a stand on industry trends, sharing your opinions can spark meaningful discussions. This not only engages your audience but also establishes you as a thought leader. Why Does It Work? A. Authenticity: In an era where AI can generate generic content, authenticity stands out. People crave genuine connections and are more likely to engage with content that feels real. B. Engagement: Personal stories and opinions invite interaction. They prompt your audience to share their own experiences and views, fostering a community around your brand. C. Trust: Sharing your journey and successes builds trust. Your audience sees you as a credible source of information, which can translate into business opportunities. >> Quick actionable tips << Mix Personal with Professional: Your posts don’t have to be all about you. Start with a broad idea and back it up with a personal story. For example, if discussing the importance of content marketing, mention how a specific campaign you ran brought great results. Use Visuals: A picture is worth a thousand words. Use photos or videos that reflect your personal brand and resonate with your audience. Consistency: Regularly share your stories, examples, and opinions. Consistency helps in building a strong personal brand. Faceless brands are losing their impact. By adding a personal touch to your content, you not only make it more engaging but also build a stronger, more relatable brand. Be real, share your journey, and watch your audience grow. 👉 Whenever you're ready, I offer five ways to assist you: (Details in the comments)

Have you ever felt like your potential clients are dropping off before they make a purchase? 🤔 Don't worry because I've got some storytelling techniques that will help guide your audience through every stage of the customer journey. As a storyteller myself, I know the power of a good narrative. It's the foundation of creating a connection between your audience and your product or service. By using storytelling, you can help your potential clients see themselves in the shoes of the characters in your story, making it easier for them to understand the benefits and value of what you're offering. Here are some storytelling techniques that have worked for me: 1️⃣ 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: I always start with a personal story that highlights the problem my audience is facing. I provide details and context that make it relatable to my target audience, and then I introduce my product as the solution. 2️⃣ 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Incorporate stories that show real people and their emotions and experiences while using your product. Make the characters relatable to your audience so they can more easily envision themselves having those experiences. 3️⃣ 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹-𝘁𝗼-𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Create a strong call-to-action in your storytelling. Highlight the positive outcomes of those who made the decision to use your product and encourage your audience to take action. 4️⃣ 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆'𝘀 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀: Use storytelling to build a relationship with your customers. Share stories about your company's values, community, and commitment to customer satisfaction. It gives your audience an insight into your brand and makes them feel more connected to your business. Remember to measure the effectiveness of your storytelling. Keep track of engagement, conversion, and customer retention rates. If certain stories aren't resonating with your audience, don't be afraid to tweak them or try new approaches. Now tell me, how have you used storytelling to guide your audience through their customer journey? 👇 Let's keep the conversation going in the comments!

Many marketers struggle with how to incorporate storytelling into their emails. But we're in the business of storytelling. So, who better to learn from than stand-up comedians? Last night I went to see Chelsea Handler live on stage. It was so much more than a laughter fest — it was a masterclass in storytelling! Comedians are the ultimate solo marketers. They know how to… → Capture attention → Build a narrative → Deliver a message … All while keeping their audience engaged and entertained. Here are a few things you can swipe from Chelsea for your next email marketing campaign: 1. Authenticity wins. Chelsea's humor is unapologetically *her.* She knows her audience and is inappropriate, super spicy, and not afraid of who she’s going to offend. Your brand's voice should be just as authentic. People connect with realness, not a sales pitch. 2. Timing is everything. Long pauses? Check. Just as a comedian knows when to deliver the punchline, you need to know the right moment to deliver their message for maximum impact. 3. Engage emotionally. Watching Chelsea last night, I felt a whole range of emotions from amusement to awkwardness to empathy and surprise. Effective marketing taps into emotions — it’s how you create a memorable connection with your audience. Make them feel something. 4. Embrace being bold. Chelsea’s comedy feels fearless and un-self-conscious… she’s not afraid to let her true colors show. Dare to be different in your marketing messaging. Take a stand on issues important issues, and don’t shy away from being distinct. 5. Adapt and improvise. A stand-up set, much like a marketing campaign, needs to adapt to the room's energy. Listening and pivoting are key skills in both arenas. I think the most important thing you can swipe from Chelsea Handler’s comedy is that she successfully weaves her jokes into stories that transport you to a specific place and time… → To a beach house on Martha’s Vineyard → To a dinner table in New Jersey → On a cross-country road trip Through storytelling, she takes her audience on a journey… And that’s exactly what you should do in your emails. Whether it’s “How I Built This,” a client success story, or a behind-the-scenes look at how you serve your clients, always make your readers feel like they’re part of the narrative. I’m Lindsay Hope I post entrepreneurship stories and email marketing tips almost every day. If you found this helpful, give me a follow 😉

We tested 20 different storytelling frameworks. Only 7 actually moved the needle on conversions. Everyone talks about storytelling in marketing. But we tested frameworks across campaigns reaching over 1.2 million impressions. We drilled down to 7 that consistently drove conversions. Here’s what we learned about the ones that worked: 1/ The Hero's Journey: Your Customer Is Luke Skywalker → They face a problem (the Death Star) → You're Obi-Wan, not the hero → Guide them to transformation 💡 Reality: Stop making your brand the hero. Nobody cares about your origin story as much as their own journey. 2/ Before-After-Bridge: The Simplest Framework That Works → Before: Their current pain → After: Their desired outcome → Bridge: Your solution 💡 Reality: This framework converted 3x better than our "innovative" campaigns. Simple beats clever every time. 3/ Problem-Agitate-Solution: The Uncomfortable Truth → Identify the problem → Twist the knife (ethically) → Present the relief 💡 Reality: Agitation without empathy is manipulation. Use this responsibly or lose trust forever. 4/ The StoryBrand Framework: Clarity Wins → Customer = Hero → Problem = Villain → Your brand = Guide → Plan = Weapon → Success = Victory 💡 Reality: We rewrote our entire website using this. Bounce rate dropped 40%. 5/ The Pixar Pitch: Once Upon A Time... → Once upon a time... → Every day... → Until one day... → Because of that... → Until finally... 💡 Reality: This works because humans are wired for narrative. Even B2B buyers are human (shocking, I know). 6/ The Data Story: Numbers With Soul → Context: Why this matters → Conflict: The surprising finding → Change: What it means → Carryout: What to do next 💡 Reality: Data without story is just noise. Story without data is just opinion. You need both. 7/ The Confession Framework: Radical Honesty → Admit a mistake or misconception → Share what you learned → Show the transformation → Invite others to avoid your pain 💡 Reality: Our most vulnerable posts get 5x more engagement. Perfection is boring. Progress is magnetic. The uncomfortable truth about storytelling? Most marketers use frameworks like recipes. Mix ingredients. Follow steps. Hope for results. But great storytelling is about understanding that every purchase decision is emotional first, rational second. Your framework is just the container. The magic is in the connection. Here's what actually matters: ✓ Know your audience's real struggles (not what you think they are) ✓ Speak their language (not your internal jargon) ✓ Show transformation (not just features) ✓ Be human (not a brand robot) The best framework? The one that helps you tell the truth in a way that moves people to action. Which framework has worked best for you? Share below 👇 ♻️ Repost if your network needs this reminder. Follow Carolyn Healey for more real-world marketing insights. 

We get it - you want to tap into the cultural zeitgeist. Every brand wants to be relevant and resonate. But I'm sure you've noticed how trying too hard comes off desperate. Forcing irrelevant references falls flat. We all recognize it when we see it happening because it feels forced. Your audience will also recognize any shallow attempts at coolness. What they want is authenticity. So how do you stay relevant without losing yourself? 👂 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 Truly understand your audience - what matters to them and how they want to engage. Don't assume that they care about whatever is trending on social media - especially as it relates to their relationship with your business. ✨ 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Don't force it. Identify themes that organically connect to your brand and 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 relevance on the themes that connect your products and services to customer needs. 🗣 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 Don't stray too far from what makes you unique. Stick with the themes that define your value proposition. Customers want and expect consistency. 🤔 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Have a sense of humor and show your playful side - but do it in moderation.  Don't lose your core voice and purpose and 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 don't force it. 💡 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 Focus on value vs. jumping on trends. Customers care about solutions and how they can help solve their problems.  That trend you're rushing to jump on will be gone soon anyway. 🌱 𝗘𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 Stay true to your purpose while evolving with the times. New formats, new look/feel, new subjects - great.  Awkward trend chasing - not great. Be boldly you. Deliver value. Relevance will happen naturally. Don't make the mistake of trying hard to be hip and relevant. With an authentic, customer-focused approach, you can organically become a relevant part of the cultural conversation - all while still being true to your brand's voice. #contentmarketing #SEO #digitalmarketing  

A few years ago, my paid advertising copies weren't hitting the mark. I’d put in the hours, craft what I thought were great posts, and...crickets. Engagement was low, and the audience just wasn’t connecting. It felt like I was shouting into the void. Frustrated, I realized I needed a change. I needed a simple, effective strategy. So, I created a checklist that transformed my approach to content creation. Now, I follow this every single time: 1️⃣ Honesty First: Authenticity is non-negotiable. People can sense when you're being genuine versus just trying to sell something. I always make sure my message is honest and true to my values. 2️⃣ Clarity is Key: If your message isn’t clear, it’s lost. I break down complex ideas into simple, digestible parts. No jargon, no fluff—just clear, straightforward content that’s easy to understand. 3️⃣ Utility Above All: Every piece of content must be useful. It has to provide value, whether it’s actionable tips, insightful information, or a fresh perspective. I ask myself, "How does this help my audience?" If I can’t answer that, it’s back to the drawing board. This checklist has been a game-changer for me. My engagement soared, and my audience started connecting with my content on a deeper level. In my latest video, I walk you through this checklist in detail and show you how to apply it to your content strategy. Check it out and start creating content that truly resonates. #ContentCreation #MarketingTips #AuthenticContent #DigitalMarketing #ContentStrategy

My LinkedIn content got 145,022 views in 7 days. The crazy part? I don’t even have a big audience (yet). 1 thing that’s helped me expand my reach. Better storytelling! I learned some storytelling techniques from my new favorite book “Storyworthy” by Matthew Dicks. This book has been a game-changer for my writing. Here are 7 storytelling principles from Storyworthy that helped me get 145k views in 7 days. (steal them!) 1) 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝘀 𝗮 5-𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 - Great stories hinge on a single, transformative moment. - It’s that moment when everything changes. - For example, in one of my recent carousels, I showed how formatting can 4x reach. It’s a powerful realization for those who don’t think about mobile formatting. 2) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱 - “I was once this, but now I am this. I once thought this, but now I think this. I once felt this, but now I feel this.” - Posts that showcase a transformation are inherently compelling. - Highlighting the journey from A to B can be really powerful. 3) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 - “Stakes are the reason an audience wants to hear your next sentence. They are the difference between a story that grabs the audience by the throat and holds on tight and one that an audience can take or leave.” 4) 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁 - This is about signaling to the audience what a story is about. - It’s about being direct and upfront. - Don’t “burying the lead” on LinkedIn — get straight to the point. 5) 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗲 - Set the scene for your story.  - Creating more vivid imagery (and visuals) in posts can have a big impact. Even my first attempt at this got 10k views. 6) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 "𝗕𝘂𝘁" 𝗮𝗻𝗱 "𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲" - “And” stories have no movement or momentum. They are equivalent to running on a treadmill.” - I've been trying to be more intentional about using "but" and "therefore" to create movement. - It's a simple thing, but it makes a big difference in terms of engagement. 7) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆? 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲. - Some of my most successful posts have been about small, relatable moments. - Like the post about how kids feel when they get hurt - it wasn't about a big, dramatic event, but it resonated because it was so universal. I'm no storytelling guru. I'm still learning and experimenting and I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences too. Feel free to leave a comment below 👇 If any of this resonates with you, I highly recommend checking out "Storyworthy" by Matthew Dicks. It's a huge inspiration for me. Don't be afraid to try, fail, and learn. That's what I'm doing here every day. ✌️ — 👋 I’m Michael Jaindl. A tech CRO w/ $1B+ in exits. ♻️ Repost this if it's helpful.