Why Some Businesses Are Afraid of Storytelling (and Why It’s Hurting Their Growth)

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There’s a weird idea floating around that storytelling is only for lifestyle brands, the skincare startups, fashion houses, and cozy little candle shops. But here’s the truth: storytelling isn’t about glitter or glamour. It’s about connection. And every business, no matter how practical or data-driven, relies on connection to grow and stay relevant.

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The “Fluffy” Myth That’s Holding People Back

One reason businesses shy away from storytelling? They’re scared it’ll sound too soft or off-topic. Many entrepreneurs and marketing teams believe that if they step away from numbers and hard facts, they’ll lose credibility or come off as unprofessional. They imagine storytelling as something best left to influencer culture or multimillion-dollar TV ads. But that’s the wrong way to look at it.

A story doesn’t water down your message; it makes it stick. When done right, it gives people a reason to care about what you’re saying, not instead of the numbers, but right alongside them. It makes your message memorable, even if you’re talking about insurance, logistics, or spreadsheets.

Playing It Safe Isn’t Always Smart

Here’s the other issue: vulnerability. Telling a story means putting your personality out there. Your values. Maybe even the messy stuff. And yeah, that can feel risky. It’s easier to play it safe, use familiar language, follow a basic format, and stay behind the curtain.

But that’s also how you end up sounding exactly like everyone else.

“We’re Not That Interesting” Is a Lie

Lots of companies assume they don’t have a story worth telling. “We’re just a consultancy.” “We handle B2B services.” “There’s nothing fun about accounting.” Sound familiar?

But those day-to-day moments, the late-night fix, the team joke that turned into a product name, the weird hiccup that taught you a lesson, that’s your brand voice.

It might not seem flashy, but people connect with what’s real. Not everything has to be dramatic or emotional. Just honest. The difference between being forgettable and being remembered often comes down to sharing those little, specific things that make your business real, and just a little bit different.

Storytelling Builds Brands People Trust

Think about it: there’s information everywhere. But which pieces actually stay with you? Usually, they are delivered in story form. That’s no accident.

 

That’s why smart businesses are starting to invest in ways to make their stories more engaging, through origin reels, customer journey clips, or day-in-the-life snapshots. And many bring in a trusted video production company to help shape that content without making it feel overly produced or robotic.

Video, in particular, can say a lot in a short amount of time. And when done well, it doesn’t feel like marketing. It just feels like truth, shared in motion.

Want More Impact? Say Something Real

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s honesty. It’s about having something to say and saying it in a way that feels human.

Start small. Pick one real story from your work week and write it down the way you’d tell a friend. No marketing lingo. No filler. Just something real. Maybe it’s about a customer win. Maybe it’s about a hiccup you learned from. Whatever it is, tell it.

Businesses that win aren’t always the ones shouting the loudest; they’re the ones willing to connect, and connection starts with a story that actually means something.

Ken Boyd

Author: Cost Accounting for Dummies, Accounting All-In-One for Dummies, The CPA Exam for Dummies, 1,001 Accounting Questions for Dummies and 34 Stories That Explain Personal Finance

(amazon author page) amazon.com/author/kenboyd

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