How I use storytelling to build influence and attract the right audience

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Takeaways

Facts and stats alone won’t grab your audience’s attention

Stories create stronger connections and make your message stick

A good hook is critical to stop people from scrolling past your post

Sharing real-life stories can attract the right people for your business

Anyone can find and use stories to make their content more relatable

Reading time: 6 minutes

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably shared a lot of “value” posts before. You know the ones, facts, stats, advice, only to see them fall flat. I’ve been there. I’ve written posts packed with useful information, but they didn’t seem to connect with people.

Here’s the thing I learned: People don’t care about facts and figures. They won’t remember your brilliant insights or perfectly created bullet points. But they will remember stories.

Why? Because stories trigger emotion. They’re relatable. They stick with people. And when someone connects with your story, they’re more likely to engage, follow, and trust you.

That’s why I started weaving stories into my content. And let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer for how I connect with my audience.

How I turned boring lessons into stories people loved

Let me share a few examples of how I turned ordinary lessons into stories that actually resonated with people.

Take this one: I could have just posted something like, “Did you know you can make money as a blue-collar entrepreneur?” Maybe a few people would’ve cared, but most wouldn’t. So instead, I told a real-life story:

I paid a guy $130 to move my treadmill in 30 minutes. He told me he had eight jobs lined up that day. That’s $1,040 in one day. Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be flashy. Sometimes it’s as simple as moving treadmills. Maybe your idea is fancy. Maybe it isn’t. Either way, go for it.

When I shared this story, it blew up. It got over 24,000 reactions one time and 34,000 reactions another time when I reposted it. People either loved it or hated it, and that’s the point. The story got a reaction.

And here’s the thing: The people who agreed with me, the ones who resonated with that story, were exactly the kind of people I want in my audience, entrepreneurs and leaders who aren’t afraid to think differently.

Now imagine if I’d just said, “Entrepreneurship can be blue-collar.” Boring, right? Stories like this make your message memorable.

The hook that makes people stop scrolling

You know how fast people scroll through LinkedIn. If you don’t grab their attention in the first line, you’ve already lost them. So I started focusing on how to hook people right away.

Here’s an example: I wanted to talk about work-life balance. I could have written something generic like, “Work-life balance is important.” But instead, I wrote:

I left the rat race 21 months ago. My secret sauce is less ambition.

That first line hooks people. It’s bold, relatable, and makes them curious. Everyone’s heard about people leaving their jobs to work for themselves, but calling it the “rat race” feels raw and real. And when I followed it up with “My secret sauce is less ambition,” it made people scratch their heads. Most people think entrepreneurship requires more ambition, not less.

The key here is to make your audience stop and think. If you can make them curious, they’ll want to know more. And when they click “see more,” you’ve got them.

Why storytelling attracts the right audience

One thing I’ve learned is that not every story will resonate with everyone, and that’s okay. When I told the treadmill story, some people missed the point and criticized me for paying $130. But you know what? Those people weren’t my audience anyway.

The ones who got it, the ones who saw the value in the story, are exactly the kind of people I want to connect with.

When you tell stories, you’re not just sharing content. You’re building relationships with people who share your values. And as a founder or executive, those are the connections that matter.

Use stories to reflect your business or brand

If you’re wondering how to apply this to your business, here’s what I’d suggest: Start with real-life examples. Think about your clients, your team, or even your own experiences. What moments highlight the value of what you’re offering?

For example, if you’re in email marketing, don’t just tell people it works. Share a story like this:

John was about to get evicted before he learned email marketing. Today, he runs a seven-figure business.

Or:

Kathy went from stay-at-home mom to running a thriving e-commerce store, all through email marketing.

These kinds of stories show people what’s possible. They’re not just hearing what you do, they’re seeing how it changes lives.

How to find your own stories

If you’re thinking, “I don’t have stories like that,” let me stop you right there. You do. You just need to think back to moments that taught you something or helped someone else.

Look at your clients or customers. What results have they achieved? How did they get there? If you’re just starting out, look at your industry. What success stories inspire you?

The point is, stories don’t have to be elaborate. They just have to feel real and relatable. When you tell them, focus on the lesson or emotion behind them. That’s what people connect with.

My challenge for you

If you’re serious about growing your influence and connecting with your audience, start using stories in your content. Think of one lesson you’ve learned in your business and turn it into a story.

Post it today. Watch how people react. I promise, it’s worth it.

Stories aren’t just a way to share your message. They’re how you stand out, connect with the right people, and build a loyal audience. And as a founder or executive, those connections are everything.

Whenever you’re ready, here are two ways I can help you:

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