{"id":3180,"date":"2026-05-06T15:00:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T15:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.vebnox.com\/positioning-using-storytelling\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T15:00:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T15:00:57","slug":"positioning-using-storytelling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vebnox.com\/blog\/positioning-using-storytelling\/","title":{"rendered":"Positioning using storytelling"},"content":{"rendered":"

[ad_1]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Imagine you\u2019re wandering around a Saturday farmers market. The sun\u2019s out, you\u2019re craving something sweet. There are 10 stalls selling honey. All of them have jars that look almost the same. One stall has a handwritten sign taped to the table: \u201cRaw Honey $10\u201d. Another stall next to it has a little framed photo of an old man in overalls holding a smoker, and a sign that says: \u201cMy grandpa kept bees in this same valley for 40 years. He taught me to never heat the honey, so every jar tastes exactly like the wild clover he used to pick for my lunch. $10\u201d.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Which jar do you reach for first? I\u2019d bet it\u2019s the second one. Even if the first one\u2019s honey is just as good. Why? Because the second stall didn\u2019t just tell you what they sell. They told you a story that makes you care. That\u2019s the core of positioning using storytelling.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Wait, hold on. You might be thinking: \u201cI run a tiny coffee shop\/a freelance design business\/a local dog walking service. What does \u2018positioning\u2019 even mean for me?\u201d Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll get there. No jargon, I promise. We\u2019re going to break this down like you\u2019re five years old, because that\u2019s the best way to make it stick.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Wait, First: What Is Positioning, Anyway?<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the basics. Positioning is just a fancy word for how people think about you when they hear your name. That\u2019s it. No big corporate jargon, no secret tricks.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

You know how when someone says \u201cStarbucks\u201d, you think \u201ccoffee, everywhere, sometimes burnt\u201d? That\u2019s Starbucks\u2019 positioning. When someone says \u201cthe local indie coffee shop down the street\u201d, you might think \u201ccozy, knows my order, good pastries\u201d. That\u2019s that shop\u2019s positioning.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Positioning isn\u2019t what you say about yourself. It\u2019s what other people believe about you. You can tell everyone \u201cI\u2019m the most reliable plumber in town\u201d all day long. But if you show up late three times, people will position you as \u201cthe flaky plumber\u201d.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not about being the best at everything. It\u2019s about being the best at one specific thing in people\u2019s minds. Let\u2019s take pizza places as an example. You have:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n
  • \u201cFast pizza: 20 minutes or free\u201d (positioning: speed)<\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • \u201cArtisan pizza: slow-fermented dough, fancy toppings\u201d (positioning: quality)<\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • \u201cCheap pizza: $5 large pies\u201d (positioning: price)<\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • \u201cFamily pizza: kids eat free on Tuesdays\u201d (positioning: family-friendly)<\/li>\n

    \n <\/ul>\n

    <\/p>\n

    All of these are different positionings. None is \u201cbetter\u201d than the other. They just appeal to different people. Positioning using storytelling is just using stories to get people to pick which of those spots you want to fill.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Think of it this way: if you\u2019re at a party, and someone asks \u201cwhat do you do?\u201d, you don\u2019t want to say \u201cI sell honey\u201d. You want to say something that makes them go \u201coh, that\u2019s cool! Where can I buy it?\u201d That\u2019s positioning. Stories make that happen way more often than just listing facts.<\/p>\n

    \n <\/section>\n

    <\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Why Stories Work Better Than Bullet Points For Positioning<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Humans are hardwired for stories. We\u2019ve been telling stories since we lived in caves. It\u2019s how we pass down information, how we connect with each other, how we remember things.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Studies say we remember stories 22 times better than plain facts. But you don\u2019t need a study to know that\u2019s true. Think about the last time you watched a movie, or read a book, or listened to a friend tell you about their day. You remember the story, right? You don\u2019t remember a list of facts they told you.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    When you tell someone a fact, only the language part of their brain turns on. When you tell them a story, their whole brain lights up. They feel the emotions, they picture the scenes, they connect with you. Let\u2019s test this:<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Fact: \u201cOur software has 99.9% uptime.\u201d<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Story: \u201cLast Valentine\u2019s Day, a small bakery owner called us crying. Her old system crashed, and she lost 200 orders for heart-shaped cookies. We built our software so that never happens to anyone again.\u201d<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Which one sticks with you? I\u2019d bet it\u2019s the second one. The first one is nice, but it\u2019s just a number. The second one makes you feel for the bakery owner, and it makes you trust the software more.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Here\u2019s a simple table to show the difference between facts and stories for positioning using storytelling:<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
    Facts (No Story)<\/th>\n

    <\/p>\n

    		Story (Positioning Using Storytelling)<\/th>\n

    <\/p>\n

    		What The Customer Thinks<\/th>\n

    \n <\/tr>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Raw Honey, $10<\/td>\n

    <\/p>\n

    		My grandpa kept bees here 40 years, never heats honey, tastes like wildflowers. $10<\/td>\n

    <\/p>\n

    		This honey is special, I want it<\/td>\n

    \n <\/tr>\n

    <\/p>\n

    We fix leaks fast<\/td>\n

    <\/p>\n

    		I show up on time, because my mom waited 3 days for a water heater fix. 1 hour response time<\/td>\n

    <\/p>\n

    		This plumber is reliable, I can trust them<\/td>\n

    \n <\/tr>\n

    <\/p>\n

    We design bakery logos<\/td>\n

    <\/p>\n

    		I design bakery logos, grew up in my mom’s bakery, know how to stand out against chains<\/td>\n

    <\/p>\n

    		This designer gets my business, I should hire them<\/td>\n

    \n <\/tr>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Yoga for seniors<\/td>\n

    <\/p>\n

    		I make yoga for over 60s, my grandma fell trying to keep up with fast classes, so mine are slow and safe<\/td>\n

    <\/p>\n

    		This yoga is safe for me, I won’t get hurt<\/td>\n

    \n <\/tr>\n

    \n <\/table>\n

    <\/p>\n

    See the difference? The story gives context. It gives a reason to care. That\u2019s why positioning using storytelling works better than any list of features or benefits.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Another big reason: stories don\u2019t feel like sales pitches. When you list facts, people put up a wall. They think \u201cyou\u2019re trying to sell me something\u201d. When you tell a story, they put their wall down. They think \u201coh, tell me more about that\u201d. That\u2019s a huge advantage when you\u2019re trying to get customers.<\/p>\n

    \n <\/section>\n

    <\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    How To Do Positioning Using Storytelling, Step By Step<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    It\u2019s not hard. You don\u2019t need to be a writer, or a marketer, or have a big budget. Just follow these 5 steps, in order.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Step 1: Figure Out What Makes You Different (No, Really)<\/h3>\n

    <\/p>\n

    First, you need to find your \u201cthing\u201d. What is the one thing that makes you different from every other business like yours? It doesn\u2019t have to be huge. It just has to be true.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t say \u201cwe\u2019re the best\u201d or \u201cwe\u2019re the cheapest\u201d or \u201cwe have the highest quality\u201d. Those are claims, not differences. Claims are easy to make, hard to prove. Differences are specific.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Here are some examples of real differences:<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n
    • Dog walker who sends 30-second daily videos of your dog playing<\/li>\n

      <\/p>\n

    • Coffee shop that roasts beans in-house every morning<\/li>\n

      <\/p>\n

    • Plumber who answers the phone in 2 rings<\/li>\n

      <\/p>\n

    • Kids\u2019 clothing brand that uses pre-shrunk fabric (no shrinking after wash)<\/li>\n

      <\/p>\n

    • Accountant who only works with outdoor brands<\/li>\n

      \n <\/ul>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Not sure what your difference is? Ask your current customers. Send them a quick email: \u201cHey, we\u2019re trying to figure out what makes us special. Why did you choose us over the other guy?\u201d Their answer is your difference. I promise, they\u2019ll tell you exactly what it is.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      One more tip: don\u2019t try to be everything to everyone. If you\u2019re a plumber, don\u2019t say you do \u201cresidential, commercial, emergency, remodeling, everything\u201d. Pick one thing: \u201cthe plumber who shows up on time\u201d. That\u2019s enough.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Step 2: Find The Story That Fits That Difference<\/h3>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Now that you know your difference, you need a story that explains why you have that difference. The story has to be 100% true. No making stuff up. People can smell a fake story from a mile away.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      The story should answer the question: \u201cWhy do you do that thing?\u201d Let\u2019s take the dog walker example. Difference: sends daily videos. Why? Maybe:<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      \u201cI started dog walking because my rescue dog Milo had separation anxiety. I realized most walkers just let dogs out in a yard and left. I wanted to show owners their dogs were okay, so I started sending videos.\u201d<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      That\u2019s a real story. It\u2019s not fancy, it\u2019s not dramatic, it\u2019s true. It connects the difference (videos) to a real reason (Milo\u2019s anxiety).<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Your story doesn\u2019t have to be sad. It can be happy, or funny, or just normal. Here\u2019s a happy one:<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      \u201cI started making candles because my sister loved lavender, and she passed away last year. Now we donate 10% of profits to her favorite animal shelter. Every candle smells like her favorite scent.\u201d<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      That\u2019s a powerful story, even if it\u2019s sad. It makes people want to buy your candles, because they\u2019re supporting a good cause, and they\u2019re remembering your sister.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Stuck? Think back to why you started your business. What was the problem you were trying to solve? That\u2019s almost always your story.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Step 3: Keep The Story Short, Stupid (Yes, That\u2019s A Rule)<\/h3>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Stories for positioning using storytelling should be 2-3 sentences max. Maybe 50 words total. No longer. I mean it.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      People have short attention spans. If your story is a whole paragraph, no one will read it. They\u2019ll skim it, get bored, and move on. Remember: you\u2019re not writing a novel. You\u2019re giving people a tiny nugget of information they can remember.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Bad long story (300 words): \u201cI started my bakery 10 years ago when I was 22. I went to culinary school in Paris, then worked at a Michelin star bakery, then moved back home because my parents were sick, and now I bake all the bread myself, and I use my grandma’s recipe for sourdough, and we have 10 types of croissants, and we host free tastings on weekends\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Good short story (2 sentences): \u201cI bake sourdough using my grandma\u2019s 50-year-old recipe. After working in Paris bakeries, I realized nothing tastes better than home.\u201d<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      See the difference? The short one gets the point across immediately. The long one is full of extra info people don\u2019t care about.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      If you can\u2019t explain your story in 10 seconds out loud, it\u2019s too long. Cut it down. Delete every word that\u2019s not necessary.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Step 4: Put The Story Everywhere (But Not In A Weird Way)<\/h3>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Once you have your short, true story, you need to share it everywhere you talk to customers. Everywhere. But don\u2019t scream it. Weave it in naturally.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Here\u2019s a list of every place you should put your story:<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n
      • Homepage hero section (the first thing people see when they visit your website)<\/li>\n

        <\/p>\n

      • About page<\/li>\n

        <\/p>\n

      • Social media bio (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)<\/li>\n

        <\/p>\n

      • Business cards<\/li>\n

        <\/p>\n

      • Email signature<\/li>\n

        <\/p>\n

      • Voicemail message for your business phone<\/li>\n

        <\/p>\n

      • Script for employees answering the phone<\/li>\n

        <\/p>\n

      • Note you include in packages or orders<\/li>\n

        <\/p>\n

      • Your elevator pitch (when someone asks \u201cwhat do you do?\u201d)<\/li>\n

        \n <\/ul>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Let\u2019s take the plumber example. Bad voicemail: \u201cYou\u2019ve reached Acme Plumbing. Please leave a message.\u201d Good voicemail: \u201cYou\u2019ve reached Acme Plumbing. I\u2019m the plumber who shows up on time because my mom waited 3 days for a water heater fix. Leave a message, I\u2019ll call back in 10 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        That\u2019s positioning using storytelling in a 15-second voicemail. It tells the customer exactly what to expect, and why you\u2019re different.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Don\u2019t overdo it. You don\u2019t need to put your story on every single social media post. Just put it in your bio, and mention it every once in a while. If you post 10 times a day with your story, people will get annoyed.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Step 5: Let Your Customers Tell Their Own Stories Too<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Your story is great. But customer stories are even better. Why? Because people trust other customers way more than they trust you. You\u2019re trying to sell them something. Customers aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        A testimonial that says \u201c5 stars, great service\u201d is useless. It doesn\u2019t tell anyone anything. A testimonial that says \u201cI was so nervous leaving my dog Bailey with a stranger. The daily videos made me feel like I was there. Now Bailey whines when he sees the walker\u2019s car, he loves them so much\u201d is gold. That\u2019s a story that positions you as the trusted dog walker.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        How to get story testimonials? Don\u2019t ask \u201ccan you leave a review?\u201d. Ask \u201cwhat was your biggest worry before hiring us, and how did we fix it?\u201d. That question will get you a story every time.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Share these customer stories everywhere too. Put them on your website, post them on social media, read them out loud when talking to new customers. They\u2019re free marketing, and they work better than anything you can say about yourself.<\/p>\n

        \n <\/section>\n

        <\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Real-Life Examples Of Positioning Using Storytelling (That You Can Copy)<\/h2>\n

        <\/p>\n

        These are all real examples, from small businesses just like yours. Feel free to steal the structure, just make sure the story is true to you.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Example 1: Small Coffee Shop<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Story: \u201cWe\u2019re the only coffee shop in town that roasts our beans in the back every morning at 6am. My dad was a roaster in Colombia, he taught me that coffee tastes better when it\u2019s fresh. Come try a cup, we\u2019ll tell you which bean matches your favorite candy.\u201d<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Positioning: Fresh, family-owned, personal, community-focused.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Extra touches: They host free coffee tastings on weekends, their cups have a little drawing of their dad on them, they have a chalkboard that lists the roast date of each batch. All of this ties back to their core story.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Example 2: Freelance Graphic Designer<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Story: \u201cI design logos for small bakeries. I grew up helping my mom run her bakery, so I know how hard it is to stand out when you\u2019re up against big chain grocery stores. Your logo should taste as good as your croissants.\u201d<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Positioning: Niche expert, understands bakery owners, empathetic.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Extra touches: They offer a free \u201cbakery story audit\u201d where they look at a bakery\u2019s current branding and tell them if their story is coming across. They only work with bakeries, so they\u2019re known as the go-to designer for that industry.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Example 3: Local Plumber<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Story: \u201cI\u2019m the plumber who shows up when I say I will. My mom had a plumber cancel on her 3 times when her water heater broke, and she had to take cold showers for a week. I\u2019ll never do that to a customer.\u201d<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Positioning: Reliable, empathetic, customer-focused.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Extra touches: They send a text 30 minutes before arriving, send a photo of the problem and the fix after they\u2019re done, they never charge extra for same-day service. All of this proves their story is true.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Example 4: Online Yoga For Seniors<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Story: \u201cI make yoga videos for people over 60. My grandma couldn\u2019t find any classes that didn\u2019t move too fast, and she fell trying to keep up with a regular class. My classes are slow, safe, and you can do them in your pajamas.\u201d<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Positioning: Safe, accessible, understands seniors, low-pressure.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Extra touches: They have a private Facebook group for members to share progress, they send a birthday card to each member, they have chairs available for people who can\u2019t stand for long. All of this makes their positioning stronger.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Example 5: Kids\u2019 Clothing Brand<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Story: \u201cWe make t-shirts that don\u2019t shrink in the wash. I got so mad when my kid\u2019s favorite dinosaur shirt shrunk after one wash, and he cried for an hour. All our shirts are pre-shrunk, guaranteed.\u201d<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Positioning: Parent-friendly, durable, solves a common problem.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Extra touches: They have a \u201cgrow with me\u201d guarantee\u2014if your kid outgrows a shirt in 3 months, they replace it for half price. They use 100% cotton, so they\u2019re soft on kids\u2019 skin. Parents love them because they don\u2019t have to replace shirts every month.<\/p>\n

        \n <\/section>\n

        <\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Common Mistakes People Make With Positioning Using Storytelling<\/h2>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Everyone messes up at first. It\u2019s okay. Just avoid these 5 big mistakes, and you\u2019ll be fine.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Mistake 1: Making Up Stories That Aren\u2019t True<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        This is the biggest mistake you can make. If you lie about your story, people will find out. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but they will. And when they do, they\u2019ll never trust you again.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        You don\u2019t need a dramatic story. A small, true story works way better than a big, fake one. If you started your business to pay off student loans, that\u2019s okay. You can say: \u201cI started this business to pay off my student loans, but once I started working with customers, I realized I love helping people fix their leaks more than anything. Now I pay my loans, and I get to help people every day.\u201d That\u2019s true, it\u2019s relatable, it works.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Don\u2019t exaggerate either. If you\u2019ve been in business for 2 years, don\u2019t say 10. If you roast beans once a week, don\u2019t say every morning. Keep it real.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Mistake 2: Telling A Story That Has Nothing To Do With What You Sell<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Your story has to tie back to the value you provide to your customer. If you\u2019re an accountant, don\u2019t tell a story about your love for hiking. Unless you only work with outdoor brands, then it ties: \u201cI love hiking, so I only work with outdoor brands because I understand how hard they work to protect the trails.\u201d<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        If your story doesn\u2019t answer the question \u201cwhy does this matter to the customer?\u201d, it\u2019s useless. The hiking story for a general accountant doesn\u2019t matter to the customer. The hiking story for an outdoor brand accountant does.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Mistake 3: Making The Story All About You<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Positioning is about the customer, not you. Remember that. Customers don\u2019t care about how great you are. They care about what you can do for them.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Bad story: \u201cI\u2019ve been a plumber for 20 years, I\u2019m a CPA, I went to Harvard, I\u2019m the best.\u201d That\u2019s all about you. The customer doesn\u2019t care about your Harvard degree. They care that you\u2019ll fix their leak fast.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Good story: \u201cI\u2019ve been a plumber for 20 years, so I can fix your leak in 10 minutes, so you don\u2019t have to cancel your kid\u2019s birthday party.\u201d That\u2019s about the customer. It tells them what they get out of hiring you.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Mistake 4: Using Big Fancy Words No One Understands<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Keep it simple. Remember ELI5? Explain it like you\u2019re five. Don\u2019t use jargon, don\u2019t use corporate speak, don\u2019t use words that only marketing people know.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Bad jargon: \u201cWe utilize narrative-driven positioning to optimize customer acquisition and enhance brand loyalty.\u201d What does that even mean? A normal person would read that and click away.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Good simple version: \u201cWe tell stories so people remember you, like you, and buy from you.\u201d Everyone gets that. No fancy words needed.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Mistake 5: Telling Too Many Stories At Once<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Pick one core story, and stick to it. Don\u2019t tell the grandpa bee story, the never heat honey story, the wildflower story, the valley story all at once. Pick the one that matters most.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        People get overwhelmed if you give them too much info. They won\u2019t remember any of it. If you have multiple stories, pick the one that\u2019s most unique to you. The other stories can be smaller, extra details. But the core story should be one sentence, max two.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Here\u2019s a table of mistakes and fixes:<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
        Mistake<\/th>\n

        <\/p>\n

        		Fix<\/th>\n

        \n <\/tr>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Made up story<\/td>\n

        <\/p>\n

        		Use a true story, even if small<\/td>\n

        \n <\/tr>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Story not related to product<\/td>\n

        <\/p>\n

        		Tie story to customer value<\/td>\n

        \n <\/tr>\n

        <\/p>\n

        All about you<\/td>\n

        <\/p>\n

        		Focus on customer benefit<\/td>\n

        \n <\/tr>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Big jargon<\/td>\n

        <\/p>\n

        		Use simple words<\/td>\n

        \n <\/tr>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Too many stories<\/td>\n

        <\/p>\n

        		Pick one core story<\/td>\n

        \n <\/tr>\n

        \n <\/table>\n

        \n <\/section>\n

        <\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Simple Best Practices For Positioning Using Storytelling<\/h2>\n

        <\/p>\n

        These are small things you can do to make your positioning using storytelling work even better. They\u2019re easy, and they make a big difference.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Best Practice 1: Test Your Story On A Friend First<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Tell your story to a friend who doesn\u2019t know your business. If they can repeat it back to you in their own words, it works. If they say \u201cwait, what do you do again?\u201d, fix it.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        You can also test it on strangers. If you\u2019re at a bar, tell the person next to you your story. If they ask more questions, it\u2019s good. If they say \u201coh cool\u201d and change the subject, it\u2019s boring. Tweak it until people care.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Best Practice 2: Tie Your Story To A Feeling, Not Just A Fact<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Facts are \u201cwe use organic flour\u201d. Feelings are \u201cmy mom used to bake bread with organic flour every Sunday, and the smell filled the whole house. We use that same flour so your bread tastes like home.\u201d<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Feelings stick. People remember how you made them feel, not what you said. Tie your story to a feeling: safe, happy, nostalgic, relieved, excited, cared for. That\u2019s how you make people remember you.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Best Practice 3: Update Your Story As You Grow<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Your story shouldn\u2019t stay the same forever. As your business grows, your story should grow too. If you start as a one-person dog walker, then hire 5 more walkers, your story might change from \u201cI send videos\u201d to \u201cAll our walkers send videos, because we know how scary it is to leave your dog with a stranger.\u201d<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Don\u2019t keep a story that doesn\u2019t fit anymore. If you add cat sitting, update your story to include cats. If you start selling beekeeping supplies, add that to your story. Just don\u2019t change it every week, or people will get confused.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Best Practice 4: Use Visuals With Your Story<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        A photo of your grandpa with bees is better than a text story about him. A 10-second video of a dog playing is better than a text story about sending videos. Visuals make your story more real.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        You don\u2019t need a professional photographer. Use your phone. People like real, unpolished photos more than perfect stock photos. A blurry photo of your dog Milo is way more relatable than a stock photo of a perfect golden retriever.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Best Practice 5: Don\u2019t Be Afraid To Be Small<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Big stories are for big companies. Small stories are for small businesses. \u201cI started this lemonade stand with my daughter to save up for her bike\u201d is a better story for a local lemonade stand than \u201cwe’re the leading lemonade provider in the tri-state area\u201d.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Small stories are relatable. People want to support small businesses with real stories. They don\u2019t want to support faceless corporations. Embrace your smallness, it\u2019s your superpower.<\/p>\n

        \n <\/section>\n

        <\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Conclusion<\/h2>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Positioning using storytelling is not some fancy marketing trick. It\u2019s just telling people the real reason you do what you do, in a way that makes them care. You don\u2019t need to be a professional writer. You don\u2019t need a huge budget. You just need a true story that shows what makes you different, and you need to share it everywhere you talk to customers.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Remember: positioning is how people think about you. Stories are the easiest way to get them to think what you want them to think. It\u2019s not about being the best, it\u2019s about being remembered.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        The next time someone asks \u201cwhat do you do?\u201d, don\u2019t give them a list of facts. Tell them a tiny story. Watch how their face changes. That\u2019s the power of positioning using storytelling. Try it for a week, I promise you\u2019ll see a difference.<\/p>\n

        \n <\/section>\n

        <\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        FAQs<\/h2>\n

        <\/p>\n

        What if I don\u2019t have a \u201cgood\u201d story?<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Everyone has a story. It doesn\u2019t have to be dramatic. \u201cI started my laundry service because I hated doing my own laundry, and figured other people probably do too\u201d is a perfectly good story. It\u2019s true, it\u2019s relatable, it tells people what you do. Even \u201cI started this business to make money\u201d is a fine story, as long as you add why that matters to the customer.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Can I use positioning using storytelling for a big company?<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Absolutely. Big companies do this all the time. Think of Nike\u2019s \u201cJust Do It\u201d story\u2014it\u2019s not about the shoes, it\u2019s about the athlete in all of us. Apple\u2019s story is \u201cwe make tools for creative people to change the world\u201d. Even trillion-dollar companies use simple stories to position themselves. You don\u2019t have to be small to use this.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        How long should my story be?<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        2-3 sentences, max. If you\u2019re writing it down, keep it under 50 words. If you\u2019re saying it out loud, keep it under 30 seconds. Any longer than that, and people will stop paying attention. Short is better.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Do I have to tell the same story forever?<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        You can have a core story that stays forever, and smaller stories that change. The core story is the main thing that makes you different. Smaller stories can be about new products, new hires, new events. Just don\u2019t change your core story every week, or people will get confused.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        What if my story is similar to my competitor\u2019s?<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        That\u2019s okay, as long as it\u2019s true to you. Two coffee shops might both have \u201cfamily recipe\u201d stories, but one is Colombian, one is Italian. They\u2019re similar, but unique to each business. The details make it different. Don\u2019t worry about being 100% unique, just be 100% true.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Can I use stories for positioning on social media?<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Yes! Social media is the best place for it. You can post a photo of your grandpa with bees, or a video of a dog playing on a walk, with your story in the caption. TikTok and Instagram Reels are great for 10-second story videos. It\u2019s way more engaging than a post that says \u201cBuy our honey today!\u201d<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Is positioning using storytelling the same as branding?<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        They\u2019re very close, but not the same. Branding is the whole look and feel of your business\u2014your logo, colors, font, voice. Positioning is the place you hold in the customer\u2019s mind. Positioning using storytelling is the tool you use to get that positioning. They all work together, but storytelling is just one part of branding.<\/p>\n

        <\/p>\n

        What if I mess up my story at first?<\/h3>\n

        <\/p>\n

        That\u2019s totally fine. No one gets it perfect the first time. Test your story, see if people respond. If no one cares about your grandpa bee story, try the \u201cnever heat the honey\u201d story instead. Tweak it until it works. Most people won\u2019t even notice if your story is a little off at first.<\/p>\n

        \n <\/section>\n

        \n<\/article>\n

        [ad_2]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        [ad_1] Imagine you\u2019re wandering around a Saturday farmers market. The sun\u2019s out, you\u2019re craving something sweet. There are 10 stalls selling honey. All of them have jars that look almost the same. One stall has a handwritten sign taped to the table: \u201cRaw Honey $10\u201d. Another stall next to it has a little framed photo […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[686],"tags":[1583,2399,803],"class_list":["post-3180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-digital-business-growth","tag-positioning","tag-positioning-using-storytelling","tag-storytelling"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vebnox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vebnox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vebnox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vebnox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vebnox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3180"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vebnox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3180\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vebnox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vebnox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vebnox.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}