Once upon a time... The importance of brand storytelling
Once upon a time there was a young woman living in London. She realised she’d had enough of grey office blocks, long commutes and concrete surroundings so she packed up her things and left for the green climbs of her youth to set up a business she really believed in.
The tool was a laptop, the fuel was tea and the purpose was to get incredible small businesses, growers, artists and makers to reach their full potential online with perfect brands and beautiful websites.
Her five years of studying and working with the intricacies of branding, retail and web design meant she could help her wonderful clients discover the beauty in their own stories, in turn helping their customers connect with brilliant local businesses.
The business owners fell in love with their new websites, delighted customers found new small & local brands which they loved to shop and the young woman thrived living and working in the green valleys - Everyone lived happily ever after.
The end.
Stories have been part of the human journey from the beginning and are still the best way to deeply connect and communicate information. They are what we tell our children, weaving their sense of place, fun and the importance of right & wrong into their early identities.
Stories are how we start to learn about our world and, coincidentally, many other things… LIKE BUSINESSES!
When we tell people about our new clothes, favourite shops and most loved businesses - WE START WITH THEIR STORY!
A business's brand is the character that tells this story, at once telling customers the narrative and also communicating the deeper brand values.
How many times have you heard conversations that go a little like this…
Oh, thank you!
I got these online from a lovely weaver called Jazz, he’s based in Devon. Yep, started up a few years ago making napkins with organic linen, it’s all done in his studio by the sea.
He has an online shop and delivers all over the place.
Pretty tasty, right?
It’s from this couple in Fife, all rare breed sheep and some family recipes, that’s why the cheese is so good.
Have a look online, they have a shop and post it to you!
So beautiful!
I am very picky about my mugs, they have to be perfect! That one is from a potter in Northern Ireland. A friend got it sent to me from the lady’s online shop for my birthday. She does it as a hobby in her shed, all inspired by nature.
See my point?
EVERYONE LOVES A STORY!
With a great brand story customers quickly become ambassadors for your business. This is doubly useful as word-of-mouth is such a powerful way for people to hear about you!
Potential customers are way more likely to act on a friend’s recommendation that a Facebook advert or newspaper flyer.
In a nutshell
Find your brand voice with me
Tell the awesome story of your business
Get customers truly invested and telling all their friends!
Want to have a deep dive into your story, realise how best to frame it and get customers spending and recommending you to all their mates?
As part of the Hive package I explore your businesses story, think about the best way to present it and focus on your BRAND which will carry this story to your customers and make them see the value in you as a business, beyond your basic products and services.
Just get in touch for your free consult call and we can talk aaaaall about it!
Ottilie Xoxo