Building a StoryBrand Book Summary

Book Summary

15 min

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Brief Summary

"Building a StoryBrand" by Donald Miller focuses on using the power of storytelling to create a clear and compelling brand message. The book introduces the StoryBrand Framework, a seven-part model that helps businesses clarify their message, connect with customers, and grow their brand by positioning the customer as the hero of the story. It offers practical strategies for marketing, communication, and branding to engage audiences and drive results.

About the Author

Donald Miller is an American author, public speaker, and business owner. He is the CEO of StoryBrand, a company that helps businesses like Pantene, Chik-fil-A, Steelcase, clarify their messaging. Widely considered an innovative and entertaining speaker, he wrote Blue Like Jazz, his first New York Times Best Selling book. He has written personal essays reflecting on his religion and self-discovery. He is married with two dogs.

Topics

Communication Skills Marketing & Sales

Building a StoryBrand Book Summary Preview

Key Insights

Stories are all around us.

They are featured in movies, podcasts, comic books, web series, the list goes on and on.

And chances are, stories have helped to shape you into the person you are today.

So, how can you take the power of a story and use it to brand your product?

“Never assume people understand how your brand can change their lives. Tell them.”- Donald Miller

In Donald Miller’s, “Building A StoryBrand”, you will learn how to harness the power of the story and create a unique StoryBrand for your product.

Your newly developed StoryBrand will help you create an irresistible brand and get a leg up on the competition by connecting on a deeper level with your customers.

A Clear Marketing Message

A fancy new website won’t make sales increase all on its own. You need a straight-forward and clear marketing message to accompany it.

“Pretty websites don’t sell things. Words sell things.”- Donald Miller

There cannot be any confusion or the customer will deem the product or brand too complicated. It should be very easy-to-understand for everyone.

The marketing message should tell the consumer three things:

Who You Are

What You Do

Why The Customer Should Choose You Over Your Competitors

If a customer is confused by your message, they will not stick around to try to figure it out. They will go to another competitor that has a simpler message.

To help you develop your message, you should always think of the customer first. How does your service help them?

To make it easier on yourself, think of Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which includes, food and drink, safety and shelter, companionship, and greater needs such as spirituality and self-love.

Use this hierarchy to target how your product helps the consumer.

StoryBrand 7-Part Framework

A good story holds your attention. It can make an hour or two fly by without you even noticing it.

The difference between a story versus video clips, or social media posts, is that it is organized information in a specific structure. There is a beginning, middle, and end. This makes it more memorable and easier for people to retell.

“In every line of copy we write, we’re either serving the customer’s story or descending into confusion; we’re either making music or making noise.”- Donald Miller

A story is like a song. It is easier to remember a song than simple noises such as doors slamming and cars honking. A song can get stuck in your head, just like a story.

To create a catchy story, use the 7-Part StoryBrand Framework which includes 7 aspects of a story: character, problem, guide, plan, calls to action, failure, and success.

Before we break it down more, the rough outline of this module is that the character wants something that is hard to attain. When they are about to give up on what they want, a guide appears. This guide instructs the character what to do. This will allow the character to succeed rather than fail.

With this StoryBrand module, you will develop your StoryBrand Script which will help you to engage your customers.