Why Small Business Storytelling is Just as Critical

Small business storytelling is just as, if not more, important as for large corporations. In fact, most major brands started out as small family operations, such as McDonald's, and they all had a story to tell! From being authentic to making an impression, here are some reasons why.

Creating Emotional Connections

People are drawn to brands they feel a connection to. Coca-Cola and McDonald's are masters at this kind of marketing, cashing in on special times of the year and family occasions. Lifelong associations are formed, resulting in a customer for life! Stories are a major way to connect with the audience, and event photography for corporate gatherings will help capture the moments your business wants and needs to share, in order to inspire passion and connection.

Building Trust through Authenticity

Customers can tell the difference between an inauthentic voice and one that isn't as genuine. The reason why authenticity matters, especially for small businesses, is that people are willing to back the underdog, but only if they feel it's worth it. Although huge brands usually offer convenience, customers will pay a little extra or go out of their way to support a smaller brand that provides a superior product, especially if they feel even the slightest emotional connection.

Small Business Storytelling Helps Stand Out

Based on a study by the Temkin Group, it has been revealed that storytelling ROI drives profit, with emotionally engaged customers 70% more willing to buy, and an average of 23% more sales (Nielsen's Consumer Neuroscience). Storytelling helps you stand out among big competitors as a small company, as people will get behind a compelling narrative, and that sets you apart from faceless corporations, as customers will feel like they are helping you get ahead.

Making a Lasting Impression

There are tons of facts you could splurge all over your website, blog, and social media profile. But customers don't want a lecture when they are interacting with a brand; they want something that they feel connected to. Storytelling has always been a form of entertainment, no matter where and how it is used. Studies have shown that people are 22 times more likely to retain the data from engaging media than from bare facts alone, so get working on making an impression!

Community and Customer Empowerment

Small brands, as much as large ones, have passionate followers. One of the most novel yet powerful methods of storytelling is social proof, where you get customers involved in telling the story for you. Any business can say how good they are, but it is how customers feel that really hits home. There is nothing more powerful than word of mouth, so using testimonials, reviews, and encouraging user-generated content can transform how a small business resonates.

Summary

Creating an emotional connection is a top reason why small business storytelling is essential. A smaller company can also stand out from major competitors with a compelling narrative that hits home. However, you can also get the community involved in sharing their experiences as proof.