“These stories suck.”
I was stunned. And, if I’m being honest, a little offended.
There I was, on a Zoom call with one of the top storytelling consultants in Hollywood—the guy who had worked with writers like Will Smith, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, and more.
My hands were sweaty as I sent him a Google Doc filled with the stories I had poured my heart into for weeks.
And then, just like that, my excitement was shot down by the expert.
“All I want is for this book to REALLY resonate with people, and to be different from all the other books they read,” I said, trying to recover from the sting of his feedback.
Michael Hauge looked at me through the screen, his big, bushy white beard enveloping a warm smile.
“Well, luckily, I can help you with that,” he said.
For hours, Michael and I worked through my stories. He pointed out what wasn’t working, where I could improve, and—most importantly—he taught me six storytelling hacks that would make my stories truly unforgettable.
A few months later, I was standing on a stage in front of 5,000 people, talking about my book, waiting to see if my storytelling had truly landed.
At first, I wasn’t sure.
The audience clapped, but I worried that most people would just take the book home and let it collect dust.
But then, it happened.
One by one, I started getting notifications on my phone.
People were posting about the book on social media.
They were making videos, sharing their thoughts, and sending me messages about how much the book had impacted them.
One message read:
“You have no idea how profoundly this book impacted me. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down!”
Over the next few days, my phone exploded with notifications.
I texted Michael to share with him the news.
“We did it. The stories worked.”
Why Stories Matter More Than You Think
Building a personal brand and a business isn’t about selling. It’s about connection.
And nothing builds connection faster than storytelling.
Think about your favorite characters from movies and TV. You feel like you know them, right? You’re invested in their journey, their struggles, and their triumphs.
That’s the power of storytelling. And as an entrepreneur, content creator, or marketer, it’s a skill you NEED to master.
Stories aren’t just for books and movies. You should be telling stories in your:
- Content
- Newsletters
- Landing pages
- Webinars
- Stage presentations
- Books
- And more
And the stories you tell should include:
- Your journey (how you got where you are and what you’re doing now)
- Your customers’ success stories
- Your epiphanies (how you learned what you know so others can learn too)
- Your struggles (because people relate more to struggle than success)
In this letter, I’m going to break down six storytelling hacks I learned from Hollywood’s top storytelling consulting.
So you can make your stories unforgettable, and make a bigger impact.
Let’s go:
1. The Dramatic Open
Every great story starts in the middle of the action.
Movies do this all the time. Think about The Dark Knight. The movie doesn’t start with Batman waking up and making coffee—it starts with a high-stakes bank robbery.
When you start a story, drop the reader into the most dramatic moment. Create instant tension, suspense, or curiosity. Make them need to know what happens next.
✅ Example: Instead of “Three years ago, I started my business…,” try “I was staring at my bank account. $17 left. Rent due tomorrow. I needed a miracle.”
This dramatic open will grab your audience’s attention, and make them interested in reading the rest of the story.
2. The Vivid Memory
Once you’ve hooked your audience, take a moment to paint a picture.
Use descriptive language to immerse them in the world of your story. Make them feel like they’re right there with you.
✅ Example: Instead of “It was a big event,” try “The lights were blinding. The crowd murmured with anticipation. My heart pounded as I stepped onto the stage, gripping the mic like a lifeline.”
These descriptive words really make the audience feel like they are part of the action.
Which will make them more interested in the struggle and payoff that comes later.
3. The Public Declaration
In the hero’s journey, the hero always wants something. But here’s the trick—make them say it out loud.
This is what makes the audience truly feel the character’s desire and investment.
✅ Example: Instead of “I wanted to grow my business,” try “I looked my wife in the eyes and said, ‘I’m going to make this work, no matter what it takes.’”
When the character of the story states out loud their intentions, it makes the emotional appeal that much stronger.
4. The Painful Struggle
Nobody likes a perfect hero. We connect more with struggle than we do success.
Before the big win, you have to show the pain, the obstacles, the doubts. Make it hurt.
✅ Example: Instead of “It was tough,” try “Every night, I sat at my desk, staring at my laptop, wondering if I was just wasting my time. The fear of failure gnawed at me.”
When you show the character’s journey toward their desire, really take the time to make sure the audience sees how painful it is.
That way, the victory will feel that much sweeter.
5. The Awkward Silence
Right before the victory, there’s always a moment of uncertainty.
In movies, it’s that moment where the hero thinks they’ve won—but then there’s a pause… and suddenly, the monster reappears.
This moment builds massive emotional payoff when the success finally comes.
✅ Example: In Avengers: Endgame, after Iron Man snaps his fingers, there’s a long silence where the heroes aren’t sure if it worked. Then slowly the enemy starts fading away. That pause makes the moment HIT HARDER.
Make sure to incorporate the awkward silence into your story to help the final payoff feel even bigger.
6. The Internal Success
The most powerful success stories aren’t just about achieving something external.
They show internal transformation—how the hero changed as a person.
✅ Example: Cars (the movie) – Lightning McQueen doesn’t win the Piston Cup. Instead, he sacrifices the win to help an injured racer, showing he’s grown into a true champion.
Your story’s ending should leave the audience with a deeper message—not just a happy outcome.
At the end of the day, what people really connect with is the emotional change, not the external success.
Are You Coming To The Creator Revolution Event?
Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you have as a creator and entrepreneur.
The better you tell stories, the more people will connect with you, trust you, and remember you.
On March 14, I’m hosting a LIVE virtual event for entrepreneurs and creators.
In the event, I’ll be showing you my best strategies for building a personal brand and growing your business online.
Especially in this day and age of AI and new technology.
I’ll also be celebrating the launch of my book Create Don’t Capture, and you’ll have a chance to be one of the first to get access to the final version before anyone else.
If you haven’t yet, make sure to go here to reserve your spot.
Let me know—what’s the most powerful story you’ve ever heard? Hit reply and share it with me. I read every response.
