People Don’t Follow Brands. They Follow Stories.

Let’s be honest: the internet doesn’t need another expert. It needs more humans.

In today’s hyper-connected, hyper-crowded marketplace, it’s not your credentials, price tag, or 100-page strategy doc that sets you apart. It’s your story.

Yes, the real one, the one with a few cracks, some tears, a little laughter, and maybe even a breakdown or two.

❝ Funny how the messy moments stick with people more than the polished ones. ❞

Sound familiar? It should. Because whether you're building a business, a brand, or a reputation, your biggest asset isn’t your highlight reel. It’s your human reel.

Why “Real” Wins in the Attention Economy

We’re all tuned out.

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Our feeds are flooded with offers, filters, LinkedIn wins, and “10x secrets” from people who seem to have it all figured out. And guess what? Most of it feels… hollow.

But then a founder shares how they cried in their car after losing a major client.

Or a creator admits they launched their business during a panic attack in a grocery store aisle.

And suddenly, people lean in. Not because of the drama. But because it’s honest.

That’s the paradox: the more vulnerable and unpolished your story, the more magnetic it becomes.

So, What Makes a Story Stick?

The stories we remember—the ones that live rent-free in our heads—usually check three boxes:

1. They start with the mess, not the success.

Nobody wants another polished pitch. But start with the moment you failed, froze, panicked, or made the wrong call? Now you've got our attention.

We don’t relate to the superhero. We relate to the moment before they became one.

2. They sprinkle in humor (especially at your own expense).

Self-deprecating humor is a fast track to likability. Tell people how you once called a client by the wrong name or bombed your first pitch, and you’ll earn more trust than any credentials can buy.

3. They reveal one unexpected, emotional detail.

It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Just human.

Something like:

“I wasn’t upset we lost the deal. I was upset because it made me question if I was actually good at what I do.”

Those tiny, honest moments are what break through the noise.

Your audience doesn’t want another expert.  They want someone they can feel.

Building Your Story Bank: Your Brand's Secret Weapon

Every great storyteller you admire has a “story bank” a collection of meaningful experiences tied to key themes like

• Leadership

• Resilience

• Client relationships

• Creativity

• Risk-taking

Think of it like this: You don’t need one perfect story. You need the right story for the right moment.

Start here:

• What’s a moment when everything almost fell apart?

• When did you surprise yourself?

• What’s something you’ve never shared publicly but shaped who you are?

Write those down. You’re not creating content. You’re creating connection points.

Why Storytelling is Your Brand Moat

Your product can be copied. Your pricing can be undercut. Even your strategy can be stolen.

But your story?

That’s untouchable. And in a world of sameness, that’s your edge.

So, the next time you're

• Writing a post

• Pitching a client

• Giving a talk

• Launching a course

…don’t just share the “how-to.”

Tell a story that only you can tell.

TL;DR: If You Want to Be Remembered, Be Real.

People are done with polished perfection. What they crave is realness. Relatability. A glimpse behind the curtain.

And you already have everything you need:

✅ The stumbles

✅ The lessons

✅ The weird, honest, beautiful truth

So go ahead. Tell it.

Because in business and in life the mess is often the message.