Everyone loves a good story!

We are dealing with people every day as business owners. So human to human connections are important and vital for your business. When people hear your business story, then they hear your purpose.

Developing and telling your company story allows you to connect and interact with your customers, potential investors, and employees. There are several ways to engage with your audiences, but you can engage on a deeper level with your compelling business story that encourages relationships. Your business story is more effective than other marketing strategies because they are memorable and lasting. Your story will build trust and will reassure the customer that you and your business are worth investing in.

When developing your business story, be authentic and consistent with your story. Customers will connect with the truth versus a fabricated story. Transparency gives insight to you being human and you have faced challenges that were not always easy to overcome. You will earn the trust of your customers when you can emotionally connect with them. Your consistency should be shared in all channels of marketing and reflected in your brand. Your business story is the underscore of your online presence.

Here are some tips to develop your compelling business story.

1. Alleviating pain. What encouraged you to start the business? This should be focused on the need of the customer. What makes you wake up each morning? This is not your mission statement. This part of your story should NOT relate to making money, but about prioritizing your customers.

2. Solving problems. What direction are you headed because of the lessons you have learned? Give insight to your outcome.  Provide a hopeful, thought-provoking message with actionable points that compel your audience to connect with your brand.

3. Customer experiences. Allowing customers to be a part of your story will allow you to provide a positive customer experience and build relationships. If you develop ways for them to get involved in your story, then you will keep them engaged. It’s about positive engagement at this point. Ask questions. Ask for their opinions on products and services you offer. Create customer curiosity on your social channels. Your business story is a vital part of your marketing plan and should not be overlooked. Storytelling is a big voice for start-up and small business owners. There is no better strategy to capture the attention of your audience than your business story that makes your brand stand out. Stop selling and start sharing your values, strengths, and weaknesses. Customers will connect with a REAL HUMAN before a business promotion.

Written by Susan Miller – The Serial Entrepreneur TM.
www.theserialentrepreneur.biz