IN this episode of Strategic Storytelling, we explore why your real, everyday stories—not dramatic or overly polished ones—are often the most powerful for your content.

As an example, I talk about ]how comedian Loni Love stayed true to her voice despite pressure to "play a character," and how that lesson applies directly to your brand storytelling.

If you've ever been told your story isn’t “exciting” enough, or you're not being "vulnerable" enough, this episode is for you.

You will learn...

• Why “authentic storytelling” doesn’t mean airing all your struggles
  
  

• The danger of following cookie-cutter storytelling advice
  
  

• What Loni Love’s comedy journey reveals about audience connection
  
  

• Why the best content starts with your actual experience—no exaggeration needed
  
  

• How to spot the right advice (and ignore what doesn’t feel right)
  
  

Links and Resources:

• Book Mentioned: I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To by Loni Love
  
  

Want help developing your unique voice and content strategy?
Book a consultation: https://cathygoodwin.com

Struggling to find the right words for your marketing? In this episode, we unpack why your business story isn’t just relatable — it’s a strategic treasure trove!

You’ll discover how storytelling becomes a diagnostic tool to uncover your most powerful marketing message.

Whether you're a coach, freelancer, or creative entrepreneur, your story already holds the key to your branding, positioning, and message.

We'll explore three story types that reveal your value proposition, brand positioning, and unique angle.. The breakthrough is in the story you've already experienced.

You will learn…

...What is an aha moment and how it can help your strategy...The 3 types of stories that can give you new insights into branding and positioning (including that don’t depend on your personal journey)

...How real-world business owners used stories to develop their strategy (and in some cases, transform their businesses)

You can also download a workbook to create your own path from story to strategy. Currently free when you click here.

I can also work with you one-to-one to take your own story on the journey to finding a new business model and a new strategy. Click here.

Reach out to me with your story! I'll give you a quick answer.

Don't forget to rate and review this episode, preferably at Apple or Spotify. that' how we grow.

A lot of solopreneur marketing challenges become easier with a story -- and with knowing the clients' backstory.

In this episode, we’re tackling a challenge many solopreneur service providers face: how to sell when your offer seems “non-essential” or even frivolous.

From personal shopping to manicures, pantry organizing to lighting setups — these services are often dismissed as luxuries. But as the backstories reveal, the real value often lies beneath the surface.

You will learn ...

... many non-essential services can be critical when you understand why people buy

... how to uncover the emotional backstories that drive buying decisions

... how to position your offer as a solution to deep, often unspoken needs.

You’ll hear real-world examples of frivolous products that become "must haves" when you learn why they're purchased.

If you're a coach, consultant, or creative struggling to articulate your value, this episode will show you how to connect with your audience where it matters most — at the story behind the need.

Please leave a review at Apple and/or Spotify. That's how we grow!

Want to learn more about backstories: I have a free guide you can download here.

Have you ever faced a blank page, saying to yourself, “I know I need a story…a good story…for business. But I keep drawing a blank.”

And most of the story prompts—those questions beginning “Tell me a story about” are not designed for business. They’re designed to get your personal stories. So you get prompts like, “What was your proudest moment…” which rarely helps your business.

As I’ve said many times, a business story serves a purpose. It doesn’t just amuse and entertain. It supports your strategy…which is rarely about helping you feel good about yourself.

In this episode I talk about story prompts and introduce my newest product—a list of 30 story prompts for b business stories, one for each day in a month. A no-brainer at $7 when you click here.

The podcast helps you understand:

• What is a story prompt and how does it help
  
  
• Why some prompts may work well for personal stories but not for stories you use in business
  
  
• A tip about how to start a collection of prompts for business stories
  
  
• A sample: 5 business prompts you can use now (with tips about how to use them)
  
  
• Why the prompt “Talk to your former self…” isn’t helpful for business stories

In this episode, I mentioned a movie: Harold and Maude - a classic oldie.

Introducing: 30 Prompts for Strictly Business Stories - Click here for immediate download. Just $7.

If you’re a small service-oriented business, you want to get people to talk about you! But how do you do this?

Small companies—especially service-based solopreneurs—can’t generate buzz the same way as big companies. They need to dip into their client’s backstories. When someone says, “You seem to be talking to me!” -- that's how your buzz begins!

In this episode, I talk about what it means for a solopreneur to create buzz. It’s not the same thing as big-company buzz.

You’ll get examples of stories that never became the subject of conversation, and how they’re different from stories that generated buzz.

You’ll also learn:

Why my first website didn’t get clients for relocation coaching

How backstories hold the key to going viral

3 reasons why backstories help generate buzz

RESOURCES AND MENTIONS:

Christina Hills - Get her ebook “Web Design for Non-Techies” If you click at a different time, you'll get a different resource.

Peter Guber - Tell to Win - Buy on Amazon. https://amzn.to/3G0dHNg

My book on relocation (free with Kindle Unlimited - available in paperback or ebook on Amazon) Click here.

My DIY 1course can help you find your client’s backstory. Click here.

FREE ebook on finding your client’s backstory. Click here.

My website.

"You're the expert." How do you feel when you hear those words?

You'd better get used to hearing that sentenence if you're a service-based solopreneur! Because when you sell a service, you’re selling expertise.

You’re offering knowledge and skills beyond what “everybody” has.

You hire a licensed electrician because a handyman might do the job...but you want to be sure they won't set the place on fire by mistake.

You hire a professional decorator because you want someone with flair who adds something to the project…something your best friend just can't do.

So how do you get labeled as an expert?

You can present credentials and testimonials. You can talk about how long you’ve been in business and point to a list of satisfied clients.

But your most effective strategy for presenting yourself as an expert will be the stories you tell.

They won’t necessarily be about you or your successes. These stories have specific qualities that communicate, “I know what I’m talking about.”

You’ll never have to say that directly. Your audience knows. In this episode, you’ll hear examples of 2 stories from a business book, The End of Average.

We'll analyze stories to see how they work.

RELATED PODCAST: Episode 128: How to use your brand archetype to brand yourself as an expert.

MENTIONED: Todd Rose, The End of Average

RESOURCES: How to create content that establishes you as a credible expert in your field - Self-paced course. Click here.

FREE Report - 17 surprising ways to use stories to market your business -

FREE with Kindle Unlimited - Grow Your Business One Story At A Time

You’ve got a nice draft of the copy, all set to go…but will your audience ever read that copy?

The answer is: Not unless you’re reeling them in with a strong headline!

The truth is, most people don’t get past the headline when they’re reading a sales letter. And yet headlines can be incredibly hard to write…unless, of course, you start with a good story.

In this episode you’ll get three tips for using stories to write headlines. It’s one of my favorite topics because we tell business stories to help the copywriting—not to entertain or amuse the audience.

You will learn:

• The purpose of a headline in copywriting (and it’s usually not to sell)
  
  
• Why an AI headline generator will often not be enough to get a great headline
  
  
• A good example of a client’s hidden backstory
  
  
• The kind of story that’s not helpful in writing headlines
  
  
• Why to write a headline for what the client consciously wants (not what you know is good for them)

And more!

RESOURCES

Free ebook on finding the client’s backstory: Click here,

Course on writing headlines: Click here.