What Is StoryBrand?
The book, Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller, was published in 2017.
In the 5 years since the book hit the market, StoryBrand has transformed from a small company conducting copywriting workshops in Nashville to an online business education powerhouse used by business owners, marketers, managers, and sellers around the world.
I personally believe StoryBrand is currently in the “Late Majority” phase of their popularity bell curve, which means anyone who is just now being introduced to StoryBrand risks feeling a little bit behind the times.
Not only has the company StoryBrand taken off, but the amount of content and information they have published online has blown up as well. Donald Miller has now written 3 additional books (with a 4th on the way), gone live with multiple websites, recorded hundreds of podcasts, conducted dozens of online workshops, and created a complete series of online courses for leadership, marketing, sales, products, overhead & operations, and cash flow.
There is so much StoryBrand content online now that it would be easy to get overwhelmed and give up before even getting started.
Which is exactly why I put together this article series, “A Beginner’s Guide to the StoryBrand Messaging Framework.”
“A Beginner’s Guide to the StoryBrand Messaging Framework” article series from 8Bend Marketing:
- What is the StoryBrand Messaging Framework? (this article)
- How do you write StoryBrand messaging? (future article in series)
- Who should write your StoryBrand messaging? (future article in series)
- What can you do with StoryBrand messaging? (future article in series)
- What should you do next after StoryBrand messaging? (future article in series)
What is the StoryBrand Messaging Framework?
The book that started the phenomenon, Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller, introduced the 7-part StoryBrand Messaging Framework. This framework provides a simple formula copywriters and marketers can use to create brand messaging that is clear and easy to remember.
If you are interested in what StoryBrand messaging could do for your business, but you haven’t read the book yet, I strongly recommend it. It is a fantastic read and will really answer your “what is StoryBrand?” question with well-crafted insights and information. Donald Miller is an exceptional writer.
StoryBrand book on Amazon (not an affiliate link)
If you want a condensed explanation to your “what is StoryBrand?” question, I recommend listening to episode 65 of the Building a StoryBrand podcast. Donald Miller and J.J. Peterson provide a thorough “podcast length” explanation with their typical high energy and entertaining banter.
Building a StoryBrand podcast – episode 65
A simple explanation of StoryBrand Messaging.
If you just want a quick take to answer your “what is StoryBrand?” question without reading a book or listening to a podcast – here is my simplest explanation:
The StoryBrand Messaging Framework is a copywriting methodology. The most important concept to understand and utilize with this methodology is that your customer should be the “hero” of the stories you tell, NOT your brand. If you focus your time and energy creating brand messaging, sales assets, and marketing content that feature your customer as the main hero, you will get more attention from and a stronger connection to your ideal prospects.
The 7 parts of the StoryBrand Messaging Framework.
If you understand the concept that your customer needs to be the hero of your stories, then the only thing left to do is to start writing your new StoryBrand brand messaging. The tool that will help you write good messaging is the 7-Part StoryBrand Framework. There are 7 elements of a good story that Donald Miller teaches in his book and workshops – a character, the character’s problem, a guide, the guide’s plan, the call to action, successful outcomes from following the plan, and negative consequences from not following the plan.
Once you create these 7 story elements for your brand, then your goal should be to use it. Share your StoryBrand messaging with your employees and have them memorize the story elements. Direct your sales reps and marketers to use the story elements consistently in all sales assets, marketing content, and business communications. There are a great number of ways you should consider using your StoryBrand messaging in your business, so be sure to continue reading the next article in this series, “What can you do with StoryBrand Messaging?”
The bottom line is this – when you incorporate a compelling story into your brand messaging, you will attract more buyers, give your employees more confidence when talking about your business, and you will make it easier for marketers to create high quality sales assets and marketing content for your brand. Those are BIG WINS for a business.
I wish you the best while exploring StoryBrand and all the benefits that this copywriting methodology offers. I started using this framework in 2019 and it has added incredible value to my sales and marketing work. If you would like to meet and discuss StoryBrand, I’d be glad to answer questions and share my expertise – Book a meeting to discuss StoryBrand.
Josh Davis is the co-founder and President of 8Bend Marketing. Josh is a skilled marketing strategist, copywriter, and StoryBrand messaging expert who is passionate about helping customers clarify their messaging and stop losing deals they should be winning.
