.png)
Storytelling Can Build Your Personal Brand
We follow businesses, influencers and brands for a variety of different reasons. It could be that we share their values, or that we like their products or because we find their educational content or professional advice helpful.
One of the main reasons why we follow businesses and individuals is that we resonate with the story behind the brand. As part of your personal and professional branding, you need to be able to create and tell an interesting and engaging story. If you look at the companies you love, you’ll discover that each one has a powerful story behind it that resonates with you and your values.
Why Storytelling Works
Stories are powerful because:
They put a human face on your business
Since we were children, stories have captivated our imagination
A good story offers one more way to communicate your values
Stories engender trust because they explain “why”
People engage with stories when they can relate to them on a personal level
Your Founding Story
An absolutely essential story is the one that describes around how your business or brand came to be. Most of these stories have a similar plot arc:
You suffered from some seemingly insurmountable problem (which is the same or similar problem that your audience faces)
You went through the same or similar problems, frustrations and setbacks as your audience is experiencing now
You were able to eliminate the confusion and complications by bringing yourself back to one very simple idea to focus on
This one simple idea eventually worked and brought you some great results, which you’re now teaching to other people
Of course, this isn’t the only way to tell a great founding story. I personally like the above storyboard framework because it says: “I overcame your problem…and I can help you overcome it too.”
Other Ideas for Personal Branding Stories
At the very least, you should develop a story that tells about the founding of your brand, but there are many other ways you can use storytelling as well:
When you talk about your life and especially your business, what do people find most interesting about your journey? This is another story that needs to be told.
Explain how you came up with an idea for a certain program, service or product. Pick the one you most want to see increase in sales.
Think of specific challenges you faced along the way, or major milestones you met and turn each into a piece of content you can share.
Tell the story of a customer or client that you helped. Even better, have them tell the story. You can use this as a piece of social proof.
There are stories everywhere waiting to be told. It’s just a matter of finding them.
Where to Share Your Stories
You can use storytelling in blog posts, social media posts, videos, the “About” page of your website and anywhere else you publish content. You don’t have to be a master storyteller. Just get out there and explain to people why you do what you do, and it’ll have the desired effect.
If you want to remove the barriers and obstacles that are preventing you from building and scaling your coaching or consulting business, please click on the button at the top of the page and register for your Free Business Strategy Session.