Once Upon a Brand: The Irresistible Pull of Storytelling

Do you remember those childhood bedtime stories your parents or grandparents told you? Stories stick. They entertain. They inspire. And they shape the world we live in. 

If you want your business to be known, stay relevant, and build trust with the people you serve, then it’s time to tell your story. But first, let’s explore why storytelling is so irresistible. Then, we’ll examine some spiffy examples of brands that have done it right.

Psychology Behind the Pull

Now, we love a good statistic as much as the next guy. But did you know the human brain is wired to crave, understand, and remember stories better than facts or data alone? 

Storytelling activates multiple regions in the brain that are responsible for processing sensory information, emotions, and memory formation.

When you get caught up in an intriguing story, your brain responds by producing a dose of oxytocin, the "love hormone" associated with empathy, trust, and emotional bonding. That is also why you may get so lost in a book or a movie and forget about everything else.

Now, imagine what could happen for your brand if you shared YOUR story and the why behind what you do. How might that impact a future client? What if they heard the reason you decided to start your business and had a similar experience in their life, too? Poof! You may have some marketing magic on your hands. 

Stories Help You Stand Out 

In a crowded marketplace, storytelling helps differentiate your brand by creating a unique and memorable identity. The emotional trigger drives a deeper connection between your audience and your brand's narrative. 

By leveraging storytelling, you can craft your narrative in a way that resonates emotionally with your target audience, fostering customer trust, enhancing brand recall, and ultimately driving better marketing results.

Strategic Storytelling Musts

To make this happen, you have to be strategic. And you need to spread the story across various marketing channels to build a strong and consistent brand identity. The key is developing a cohesive narrative, and here are some helpful tips to make it happen.

1. Define your brand's core values, mission, and unique selling proposition. These elements form the foundation of your brand story.
2.  
3. 1. Identify your target audience and tailor the narrative to resonate with their values, aspirations, and pain points.
4. 2. Craft a compelling brand story that weaves together your brand's history, values, and impact on customers or society.
5. 3. Use storytelling techniques like a relatable protagonist, conflict, and resolution.
6. 4. Ensure the brand story is consistent in tone, messaging, and visual elements across all channels.

Dive Into More Effective Brand Strategies 

Brands Who’ve Done it Right

Several successful brands leverage the power of brand storytelling in their unique ways. These brands stand out and make a lasting impression. 

Coca-Cola

With its rich history, we love how Coca-Cola continues to delight audiences. It is a prime example of how a long-standing brand can STAY relevant. Que the jingle, “Always Coca-Cola…” Their commercials feature simple yet meaningful moments. Even as their product lines have expanded, they tell the story of bringing people (or polar bears) together. It’s pure happiness.

Warby Parker 

Now, there may or may not be a certain copywriter on our team who is a Warby Parker loyalist, (cough, cough Brittany Lewis). But, this just goes to show that this brand is living up to the story it tells. What’s that? Straight from their website, “Every idea starts with a problem. Ours was simple: Glasses are too expensive.” 

And there you have it. The Warby Parker story starts with a problem one of its founders experienced in grad school. Then they go on to solve that problem for people everywhere, even right here in our Prim Pack.

sam™

Now, if you’re familiar with sam™ then you know that their story is an intriguing one. We should know, because we’re the marketers sharing it. 

In short, sam™ is an app founded by three dietitians who saw the need for people with chronic illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes to manage their diet. Through sam™, users can find custom meal plans, recipes, and education built around their specific conditions, preferences, and goals. Their story centers around the idea that their users finally gain a partner in their health journey. sam™ launched its beta testing in February of 2024 and is already making a difference in its customers’ lives. 

While we are proud of the work our award-winning team continues to produce for sam™, we are even more proud of the unique story they tell. When we hear a story like theirs, we are moved and honored to share it. 

Have a Story to Tell? 

Of course, there are many more brand stories to share. And yours is one of them! If you aren’t sure where to start, don’t worry–brand storytelling is kind of our thing. 

We’ll go through a fun and insightful discovery phase to uncover your unique brand story together.