The book “Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen” by Donald Miller published in 2017. It quickly caught on as an easy-to-understand framework for talking about your business.

Based on principles of storytelling, the framework made sense to business owners trying to figure out a better way to tell their story in the marketplace and reach more customers.

I read the book in late 2017 and loved the concept. I was eager to figure out how to integrate it into my existing business. So, I jetted off to Nashville in February 2018 to earn my StoryBrand Guide certification. At that time, I was among only a handful of StoryBrand Guides. Today, there are several hundred Guides in marketing agencies and solo marketing practices around the globe.

Today, the StoryBrand Marketing Framework is much more well known among business owners. The book has sold more than 1 million copies, and thousands of businesses are implementing the framework in their marketing.

The concept of StoryBrand is simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy for businesses to translate the concepts into actual marketing collateral – websites, emails, social media posts.

That’s where StoryBrand Guides are invaluable. We understand the ins and outs and the nuances of how to craft your brand message so it clearly resonates with your customers and moves them to action.

Hiring a StoryBrand Guide isn’t always the least expensive option. Working with a StoryBrand Guide often means investing a few thousand dollars in your marketing.

So, why hire a StoryBrand Certified Guide versus any other marketer?

StoryBrand Guides use a proven marketing framework.

Many businesses approach marketing with a spaghetti mindset: let’s throw something against the wall and see what sticks. Yes, there’s certainly some element of testing your marketing and adjusting as needed. But doing that time and time again gets expensive, frustrating and likely doesn’t yield great results.

One of the things I love about the StoryBrand framework is that I know it works. If executed and implemented properly, it’s successful. I’ve seen it work in my own marketing and in my clients’ businesses. Plus, countless success stories roll in daily from other Guides or into StoryBrand HQ.

Skip the spaghetti approach and go with a marketing framework that’s tried, tested and successful.

StoryBrand Guides are continually learning and honing their skills.

I’m fortunate to have access to ongoing training and tools that help me develop my skills as a StoryBrand Guide. I learn from the StoryBrand HQ team and from other Guides in the community. StoryBrand invests in the Guide program. They don’t kick us out with a certification badge and wish us well.

Personally, I do my best to participate in as many trainings and skill development courses as possible. Side note: if you’re hiring a StoryBrand Guide, ask if they participate in ongoing training.

StoryBrand Guides are part of a generous and helpful community.

Here’s a helpful tip: StoryBrand Guides might have the same certification but our businesses are unique. We don’t have to follow a particular model (we’re not a franchise!) so we have the freedom to work with a particular industry or offer a specific service.

I focus on brand messaging and copywriting. That means I take clients through the StoryBrand framework to craft a clear message that explains how they solve a problem for their customers and clients. Then, I use that messaging to write website copy, lead generators, email campaigns and other marketing content.

I don’t design logos, build websites, handle SEO, manage your social media or run digital advertising campaigns. But, here’s the cool thing: I know a lot of uber talented people who do. I often partner with other marketers (many of them fellow StoryBrand Guides) to complete client projects.

Hiring a StoryBrand Guide means you have access to an even larger marketing team.

StoryBrand Guides have invested in their careers.

Real talk: Anyone can put up a website, start an Instagram account and call themselves a marketer. That doesn’t necessarily mean they have the skills, expertise or experience to help you achieve your marketing goals.

As a StoryBrand Guide, I invested time and money into getting certified. I traveled to Nashville for four days of training. As previously noted, I continue to hone my skills through ongoing education.

Each year, I pay a fee to renew my certification. I’m invested in my career and my business. Now, I’m not dismissing someone who just started a marketing business. We all have to start somewhere.

But working with a marketer who is invested in her own business means you’re getting someone who will be invested in your business too.

StoryBrand Guides are passionate about client success.

I want my clients to succeed, and I believe other StoryBrand Guides feel the same way. We rejoice when our clients see an increase in website leads or a boost in sales thanks to a new email campaign.

When I deliver the draft of a brand message and a client is thrilled, I’m thrilled! When a client reviews website copy and says, “This is great! No changes!” I’m delighted.

I’m committed to client success. I know business owners put time, money and energy into their businesses. They have incredible products and important services. They are solving problems and making lives better. I want to help them reach more people and be as successful as possible.

StoryBrand Guides help you do StoryBrand right.

Is StoryBrand simple to understand? Absolutely! But it’s not always easy to implement – especially if you’re not a marketer, copywriter or website designer.

As a StoryBrand Guide, I’m always thinking about how a business can create a clear message and invite customers into a story. I’ve written dozens of BrandScripts, crafted a lot of website copy, and put together numerous email campaigns. I should know StoryBrand better than you!

I’ve worked with quite a few business owners who read “Building a StoryBrand” and totally bought into the concept. But, they struggled to implement it successfully. I get it! I could read a book about golf, but that doesn’t mean I’m suddenly Tiger Woods on the golf course.

When you work with a StoryBrand Guide, you’re getting someone who has studied and used the StoryBrand framework time and time again. You’re getting an expert.

Should you hire a StoryBrand Guide to help you with your marketing? I might be biased, but I say, “Yes!” If you want to craft a clear and powerful brand message. If you want a dedicated and committed professional on your team. If you want results, then hiring a StoryBrand Guide is a smart investment for your business.

Want to learn more about what it’s like to work with a StoryBrand Guide? Let’s talk over virtual coffee! Book a free 30-minute call and we’ll work through any questions or concerns you have.