Writing Authentic Brand Stories

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 (𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱): Trying to be someone else. 𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲: 🔸 Posting only what works for others not what they truly want to share 🔸 Letting AI write 100% of their posts 🔸 Adopting someone else’s tone, style, or voice 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Your audience gets confused, disconnected, or just scrolls past. So what should you do instead? 𝗕𝗲 𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗖. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝟱 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝟭. 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 ↳ What truly excites me? 𝟮. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 ↳ How does this relate to my skills? 𝟯. 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 ↳ Who am I speaking to? 𝟰. 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 ↳ What sets my perspective apart? 𝟱. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 ↳ Is my content aligned with my overall brand and values? Because here’s the truth: Authenticity builds trust. And trust is the foundation of a strong personal brand. 𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼, 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟲𝟱/𝟯𝟱𝟬. 𝗣.𝗦. 𝗜 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗖𝗫𝗢𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗗𝗠 𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻.

Everyone always talks about authenticity. But I wanted to break down exactly what it means so we could turn it into an SOP. Because right now, rightfully, all our prospects are saying: “I want my posts to feel like I wrote them — like there’s no trace of ChatGPT.” And that’s what the 5 execs at our new $1.6bn signing were saying when we first started working together. Here’s the SOP we put together: 1. Start with a real moment Not an idea or topic, but an actual moment that has recently occurred. That means digging into what’s already happening in their business & life: – A tension from a recent leadership offsite – A hiring tradeoff they had to make – A product bet that paid off (or didn’t) – A board conversation that forced a decision – A conversation with a customer It ensures there is a “why” and genuine reason behind the person posting. So they come across as "business leader" not "influencer." 2. Make sure content is Experience-led or Expertise-led (1) Experience - story or career journey, lessons, moments that sparked insight (2) Expertise - specific IP problems, your process, your ideas and industry opinions This avoids random generic posts that aren't grounded in something you're uniquely positioned to share. And there is no possibility of the post looking like a Chat-GPT post. 3. Break the traditional format The goal: How do you make it LOOK like it was hand-typed. Because right now, LinkedIn is full of posts where: – Over-done dramatic hooks following a content formula – Line breaks every sentence like they’re writing for pre-school kids – Predictable structures that are overused We do the opposite. Some posts flow like a well-paced monologue. Others feel like a quick, punchy memo to the team. Some have no hook at all — and that’s what makes them work. Less "LinkedIn template" and more how you'd communicate to your team. 4. Build a human & real tone The goal: How do you make it SOUND like it’s actually them? We include all the parts that make us human: – Asking questions to continue the conversation – Reflections like a diary entry – Both sides of the argument – Capture nuance, depth and specificity – Moments of hesitation or curiosity: “I’m still figuring this out, but here’s where I’m at…” The best posts often feel like they were never meant to be public — just thoughts that accidentally spilled out. That’s what makes people trust the person behind the words — not just engage with the words themselves. Because, they know they're real. -- My take: Authenticity is far less about being vulnerable and sharing overly personal aspects of your life. It's about ensuring you sound unique, share unique insights, and do so in a unique way. Save this so you can come back to it!

I walked into my favourite cafe when I spotted a familiar face. I went over to say hi and he asks, “Anna, where do you find all your content ideas for LinkedIn?” “I use the same technique from storytelling. I bank my stories. It’s like saving money in the bank. Instead of money, I use stories or ideas of stories.” Finding Content for LinkedIn: The Art of Storytelling Ever feel stuck on what to write about on LinkedIn? You’re not alone. But here’s a tip – finding content is a lot like finding a story to tell. Here’s how you can make it happen: 1. Dig into Your Day-to-Day Your everyday experiences are goldmines. Think about the small wins, the challenges, and those aha moments. There’s so much content hiding in your daily grind, just waiting to be shared. 2. Find the Lesson Every story has a takeaway. What did you learn from that tough project or that difficult conversation? Share the lessons you’ve picked up along the way. 3. Know Your Audience Just like a good story, your LinkedIn posts should resonate with your audience. What are their pain points? What interests them? Craft your content around these insights to make a real connection. 4. Show, Don’t Just Tell Instead of saying you’re a passionate leader, share a moment when you had to lead under pressure. For example, I once had to rally my team for a crucial deadline with just hours to spare. I described the chaos, the strategy, and the eventual triumph. Paint a picture with your words – describe the scene, the feelings, and the outcome. This makes your content more engaging and relatable. 5. Be Authentic People connect with authenticity. Share your real successes and failures. Be honest about your journey. Authentic stories are the ones that stick. 6. Engage with Your Audience Storytelling is a conversation. Encourage your readers to share their thoughts, experiences, and stories. Ask questions and engage with the comments. This not only enriches your content but also builds a sense of community. Finding content for LinkedIn doesn’t have to be hard. Treat it like storytelling – start with your experiences, find the lesson, and share it in a way that speaks to your audience. You’ll find that not only will you have more content ideas, but you’ll also create deeper connections with your readers. Hi, I’m Anna Ong! I'm the host and creator of What's Your Story Slam, an event where people from all walks of life come together to share their stories. It's like standup but with stories. It's a platform to connect and inspire each other through storytelling. Keen to learn more? DM me, and let's chat! P.S. What’s one personal experience you think would make a great LinkedIn post? I’d love to hear it!

I dropped 3 client deals in 2024 because I refused to fabricate "success stories” and bring forced engagement. This is not about ethics. This is not about morals. This is about the power of authentic storytelling. Let me break it down: Audiences have built-in BS detectors. The moment they sense fabricated stories: → Trust evaporates → Credibility crashes → Connection breaks Here's what happened when I shifted to purely authentic storytelling for my clients: Client A: The engagement rate jumped from 1.2% to 4.7% Client B: Lead quality improved, closing ratio up 35% Client C: The content resonated so deeply that competitors started following The authentic storytelling framework that transformed results: 1/ Real Struggles ↳ Share genuine challenges without sugar-coating 2/ Honest Process ↳ Detail the messy middle, not just the glossy result 3/ Actual Results ↳ Present true metrics, even when imperfect 4/ Learned Lessons ↳ Reveal what you'd do differently next time 5/ Human Elements ↳ Include emotions and personal reactions When I implemented this for a career coach: Instead of: ❌ "How I helped a leader get a 3x salary increment overnight." I created: ✔️ "How I helped a nearly lost leader who was tired of linear salary get a 3x raise with these 7 additions over a month." The result? 7 qualified leads in 48 hours. Authentic storytelling isn't just a marketing tactic. It's your most powerful business asset. Because in a world of fabricated success, honesty cuts through the noise. P.S. What's one authentic story you've been hesitant to share that might actually strengthen your connection with your audience? PPS: If you also want to get similar results, my DMs are open to talking about new projects.

Struggling to write LinkedIn posts that actually connect with people? You’re not alone. Every week, I meet brilliant professionals with powerful journeys, but their LinkedIn presence tells none of it. No impact. No visibility. No connection. That’s where storytelling changes everything. Over the last few years, I’ve helped hundreds of professionals turn bland updates into stories that spark engagement, build thought leadership, and unlock career opportunities. Here’s the exact storytelling framework I use with them: 🔹 1. Start with a hook that creates tension Don’t say: “I got promoted.” Say: “I almost quit my job last week. Then something unexpected happened…” 🔹 2. Follow the 3-Act Structure Beginning: Set the scene Middle: Share the challenge/conflict End: Deliver the outcome/lesson 🔹 3. Use vivid details Not: “I had a tough meeting.” Say: “My hands were shaking as I opened that PowerPoint at 9:03 AM…” 🔹 4. Add real dialogue Dialogue draws readers in. “Are you sure you can lead this team?” “Watch me,” I said. 🔹 5. Show vulnerability Own your missteps. Talk about your doubts. That’s what makes you relatable and trustworthy. 🔹 6. Keep paragraphs short No walls of text. White space improves readability and retention. 🔹 7. Always end with value Wrap with a takeaway: “What did YOU learn?” “What can OTHERS apply?” It builds a human connection, which is what LinkedIn is truly about. Not just B2B or B2C. But H2H — Human to Human. I offer LinkedIn Profile Optimization for professionals who are ready to attract better opportunities. 👉 DM me if you’d like a profile audit or want help revamping your profile from checkbox to client magnet. #LinkedInTips #PersonalBranding #Storytelling #ContentStrategy #CareerGrowth #ProfileOptimisation

When I first started my personal brand, I received zero traction. Now, my posts reach thousands within hours. I've switched from focusing on 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 I posted to 𝘩𝘰𝘸 I told my story. Storytelling doesn’t just engage—it connects. It’s the difference between a good post and a great one. A story that makes people stop scrolling, pay attention, and leave feeling a sense of desire, motivation, or direction. Here’s how you can master storytelling in your LinkedIn posts: 1️⃣ Start with a Hook Open with a question, surprising fact, or challenge your audience is facing. 2️⃣ Focus on Conflict & Resolution Every good story needs tension. Present the problem first, then show how you overcame it to keep the audience engaged. 3️⃣ Make It Relatable Share stories that resonate with your audience’s pain points or aspirations. If they can relate, they’ll engage. 4️⃣ Use Emotion Don’t just tell facts—make them feel something. Emotion drives action and makes your story memorable. 5️⃣ Keep It Simple Stick to one core message or takeaway. Simplicity is powerful. 6️⃣ Create an Actionable Ending Leave your audience with something they can act on. Ask for their take, challenge them, or prompt reflection. 7️⃣ Be Authentic Share your real, raw experiences. People want to connect with 𝘺𝘰𝘶, not perfected stories. Turn your posts into conversations to skyrocket your engagement. It worked for me, and it can work for you too. 👉 What’s your hardest challenge when it comes to storytelling? #storytelling #personalbranding #engagement

We live in an era where social media often showcases highlight reels rather than the full spectrum of human experience. But here's the secret - people crave connection with realness. Why Authenticity Matters in Personal Branding: Trust: When you share your authentic self, you build trust. People can sense when someone is genuine, and this forms the bedrock of all professional relationships. Relatability: By showing your journey, including the ups and downs, you make yourself relatable. Your audience sees themselves in your story, which is far more engaging than an unblemished facade. Memorability: In a sea of sameness, authenticity makes you stand out. It's not just about being different; it's about being distinctively you. How to Build a Real Brand: Share Your Story: Don't just tell what you do; share why you do it. Talk about your failures as well as your successes. This narrative approach not only humanizes you but also provides valuable learning points for others. Be Consistent: Authenticity isn't a one-off post; it's a consistent portrayal of who you are. Ensure your content, interactions, and even your profile aesthetics echo your true self. Engage Genuinely: Respond to comments, ask questions, and participate in discussions. Genuine engagement shows that you value community over mere numbers. Show Vulnerability: It's okay to admit you don't have all the answers. Sharing your learning process, asking for help, or expressing uncertainties can make your brand more human and approachable. Adapt, Don't Pretend: As you grow, your brand will evolve. Let it evolve authentically by adapting your message to reflect where you are now, not where you might feel pressured to be. The goal isn't to be perfect but to be perfectly you. In doing so, you'll not only attract opportunities but also create meaningful connections that last. What's one way you've shown your authentic self in your professional journey? Follow #socialJJ to read more personal branding posts. #personalbranding

The Art of Brand Storytelling—and Why It’s Essential for Business Growth In a digital world overflowing with content, data, and distraction, the brands that win aren’t just louder—they’re more human. They connect. They resonate. They tell stories. Welcome to the age of brand storytelling—where authenticity, emotion, and narrative are the new differentiators. More than a marketing trend, storytelling is a strategic growth lever that helps businesses build trust, foster loyalty, and create long-term value. What Is Brand Storytelling? Brand storytelling is the strategic use of narrative to express who you are, what you stand for, and why you exist. It’s more than a logo or a tagline—it’s your mission, your origin, your people, your customers, your values. And it’s told in a way that creates emotional engagement across every touchpoint. Think Apple’s “Think Different,” Nike’s “Just Do It,” or Dove’s “Real Beauty.” These aren’t just campaigns. They’re living stories that reflect something deeper—something customers want to be part of. Why Storytelling Is Critical for Growth 1. Emotion Drives Decisions Research shows that people make buying decisions based on emotion, not logic. A great story taps into those emotions—whether it's aspiration, belonging, trust, or transformation—and helps customers see themselves in your brand’s journey. 2. Differentiation in Crowded Markets Products and services are easy to replicate. Stories are not. A compelling brand narrative gives your business a distinct identity that competitors can’t copy. It answers the question: Why you? 3. Builds Trust and Loyalty In an era of skepticism and fleeting attention, transparency and authenticity win. Storytelling gives you a platform to show—not just tell—your audience what you stand for. When customers believe in your story, they stay loyal, become advocates, and spend more over time. 4. Unifies Internal Teams A powerful brand story isn’t just outward-facing. It rallies your internal teams, aligns cross-functional efforts, and reinforces your mission at every level of the organization. Employees who connect with your story become your most passionate brand ambassadors. 5. Amplifies Omnichannel Engagement From websites and social media to customer service scripts and sales presentations, storytelling can be woven into every channel. It ensures consistency, continuity, and relevance, critical for meeting today’s customer wherever they are. Focus on five core elements: Purpose – Why you exist beyond making money Problem – The challenge you help solve People – Who do you serve Promise – The value or change you deliver Proof – What backs it up (results, testimonials, data) In a world where facts are forgotten but feelings endure, your brand story is what people will remember, trust, and champion. Tell it with clarity, live it with purpose, and watch it become the catalyst that turns attention into action—and customers into believers. #branding #brandstorytelling #growth

Want to know the secret to a high-performing LinkedIn post? Stop overthinking it. Seriously, I see coaches and consultants tie themselves in knots trying to crack some imaginary LinkedIn code. Here's what actually works based on my experience helping hundreds of business owners go from invisible to in-demand: THE MUST-HAVES: → One clear message - don't try to teach everything in 300 words → A conversation starter - end with a question that invites engagement → A hook that stops the scroll - your first line needs to grab attention immediately → Value that your audience can actually use - practical tips, insights, or perspectives they care about THE LEAVE-OUT LIST: → Corporate codswallop that makes you sound like a robot → Ten different topics crammed into one post → Humble bragging disguised as advice → Asking for likes, shares or follows I've noticed the posts that perform best for my clients have one thing in common: They sound like the person actually wrote them. Not their marketing team. Not ChatGPT. Them. Your personality is your competitive advantage on LinkedIn. Use it. The algorithm doesn't care about perfect grammar or fancy formatting. It cares about genuine engagement from real humans who connect with what you're saying. So here's my advice: write like you're talking to one person who needs to hear exactly what you have to say. Keep it simple. Keep it real. Keep it valuable. The rest will follow. What's the best LinkedIn post advice you've ever received?

The Power of Storytelling in Beauty Marketing: Why Data Alone Won’t Sell 🔑 We’ve all seen beauty brands brag about their results: “Our moisturizer increases hydration by 72%!” or “This serum reduces wrinkles in just two weeks!” 📊 But do numbers alone really drive people to buy?...People don’t remember stats; they remember stories. ✨ Take Dove, for example. Instead of just saying, “We promote real beauty,” they share powerful stories of women embracing their natural selves. The "Real Beauty" campaign focused on real women, showcasing their unique journeys of self-acceptance and empowerment. This emotional connection turns viewers into loyal customers. Why does storytelling work? 🎭 It creates emotion: People often make purchases based on feelings and then justify them with logic. Research shows that emotionally driven campaigns can increase engagement significantly. 🧠 It makes your brand memorable: Stories stick in our minds far better than dry statistics. Dove's campaign reached over 3 million women in its first year, demonstrating the effectiveness of storytelling in enhancing brand recall. 🤝 It builds trust: Authentic stories create deeper connections. A survey indicated that 80% of women felt more positively about their self-image after engaging with the "Real Beauty" campaign, showcasing the impact of authenticity in branding. In a world overflowing with information, stories are what make brands stand out. The best marketing doesn’t just inform; it resonates, inspires, and motivates people to take action. What’s a brand story that has stuck with you? Let’s discuss! 👇 #MarketingStrategy #Storytelling #BrandGrowth #ConsumerPsychology #EmotionalMarketing