The things I learned from Donald Miller’s “Building a StoryBrand”
Helps companies attract customers by making their messages clear and engaging!
In Donald Miller’s book “Building a StoryBrand,” he introduces the StoryBrand 7 Framework, a marketing strategy that helps businesses clarify their messaging and engage customers effectively.
Here are a few of the book’s most important lessons that stood out for me and that I believe small businesses can learn from; of course, you must read the book to get all of the information.
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1. Understand Internal, External, and Philosophical Problems
Customers face three types of challenges: internal, external, and philosophical.
Internal problems are the emotional or psychological issues customers experience, such as desires, fears, frustrations, or aspirations. External problems are tangible obstacles like time constraints, financial limitations, or skill gaps. Philosophical problems relate to customers’ belief systems and values.
To effectively connect with customers, businesses need to identify and address these problems. By understanding the emotional, practical, and ideological aspects, businesses can craft messages that resonate on a deeper level.
2. Connect on an Emotional Level
By addressing internal problems, businesses can tap into customers’ emotions.
Emotionally resonating with customers helps create a stronger connection, as people are more likely to engage with brands that understand and empathize with their feelings.
For instance, a fitness brand can address the internal problem of feeling self-conscious by emphasizing the confidence and self-esteem gained through their workout program.
3. Highlight Practical Solutions
External problems require practical solutions. Customers need to see how a product or service can address their tangible challenges and make their lives easier.
By showcasing how a business can provide practical solutions, companies can position themselves as problem solvers. For example, a productivity tool can address the external problem of inefficient processes by highlighting how it streamlines tasks, saves time, and improves productivity for business owners.
4. Align with Customers’ Values
Understanding customers’ philosophical problems, their belief systems and values, helps businesses build trust and create a stronger connection.
By aligning messaging with customers’ principles, businesses can show that they share the same ideals, fostering trust and loyalty.
For instance, an eco-friendly brand can address the philosophical problem of sustainability by emphasizing its commitment to the environment and offering environmentally conscious products.
5. Craft a Compelling Message
To effectively communicate with customers, small businesses should create a clear and concise message that addresses their problems and presents a solution.
Using the one-liner formula can help structure the message effectively:
- Identify your customer’s problem: Open with a problem statement that captures their attention.
- Explain your plan to help them: Clearly outline how your product or service solves their problem.
- Offer a successful ending: Summarize the story of how your product or service brings resolution to their problem.
By following this formula, businesses can create a compelling message that resonates with their target audience and encourages engagement.
Using the lessons from “Building a StoryBrand,” small businesses can improve their marketing strategies, make their messages clearer, and engage customers in a way that leads to more sales and growth for the business.
Remember that the key is to understand your customers’ problems, connect with them on an emotional level, offer practical solutions, align with their values, and craft a message that speaks directly to their needs and wants.
