Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
Explore How to Share Your Brand Story To Grow Your Online Business
When I share with my clients why it’s important to share their story to grow their business and create a profitable brand, they often resist. The thought of sharing and being vulnerable in front of their audience is super scary. I mean after all we’re experts in our industry, so we often wonder do we want to share such deep emotions and be so raw with our audience?
So you might be asking yourself, Why you should share your story? I’ll share the why as well as the steps to take to figure out what your story is.
When I share with my clients why it’s important to share their story to grow their business and create a profitable brand, they often resist. The thought of sharing and being vulnerable in front of their audience is super scary. I mean after all we’re experts in our industry, so we often wonder do we want to share such deep emotions and be so raw with our audience?
I often get asked:
~What will people think of me?
~How much should I share?
~How vulnerable should I be?
~Why would this be important to share?
The truth is that we connect best when we share stories. So when you open up and share from your heart you start to build a deeper connection with your audience and that allows them to get to know who you are and you really feel into
One of my stories that I share is that I was pregnant in high school.
I graduated from high school and 4 months later became a single mom.
I was determined to raise my son and provide an amazing life for him so I worked hard and got a job in retail and quickly got promoted into management.
I loved the work that I did but I worked crazy hours and missed so much of my son's firsts that I knew I wanted to find a career that would allow me to have a more flexible schedule so I could be home with him more, and be there for all of the important moments.
This is a huge connection story piece for why I started searching for ways to start my own business.
I often hear from my clients that they can relate to this because they’re moms too or because they’ve had jobs that took up too much of their time.
We’ve heard it a million times but people buy from people they know, like and trust.
Sharing your story does just that.
You may not want to hear it but the truth is:
You must start telling your story.
The more open you are the more you will open your audiences hearts and make them lean in and want to learn more.
Here are three reasons why you should share your story:
1. People want to know the real you.
Not the perfect polished view that everyone posts on social media but the truly authentic and sometimes messy version of you. When you’re vulnerable and share from your heart and connect the puzzle pieces of your life that lead you to why you’re in business and how you came to be on this journey. You’ll start attracting the right people to work with you.
2. People remember stories.
Your audience might not remember everything about how you can help them, or what exactly your program covers but …
when you share how your health was struggling because you stopped taking time for you and you realized that you had to learn how to balance family, work and self-care to live a life of freedom. This is what she will remember because it connects with her where she is at now and brings her into your story.
3. People need connection.
More than anything we’re seeking a deep connection beyond a simple, how are you? Or a “heart” on Instagram. When it comes to how you show up and connect with your audience, you need to build trust and let her know that you “see, hear and get” her. Share what obstacles have come your way (birth, death, breakup) and how you used them to have a breakthrough in your brand.
The best part is that your story is yours alone, it is uniquely a part of you and no one has the same story or experiences to share. Just show up and give from your heart.
You never know how the changes in your life can inspire and completely alter the path for someone else.
Sharing your story is the easiest way to set yourself apart from the competition and stand out in an overcrowded market. It’s your secret weapon, as no one else has a story exactly like you do, so it’s important to share from your heart and use your life experiences to differentiate yourself to grow your brand and business.
When I started sharing my story online that was when my business changed and I was able to start connecting at a deeper level with my audience and take my business to the next level. I want that for you too.
5 Steps to Frame Your Story
1. Brainstorm
Write down every single story, experience, memory that you can think of about your life and go back as far as you remember. Look at past work experience, life experiences your purpose and gifts. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write down everything that comes to mind.
2. Ask yourself these 4 questions with each story you wrote down in your brainstorm session.
- what happened
- how you were impacted
- what changed for you and
- what lessons you learned
3. Pick three Connecting Stories
Now find 3 connecting pieces/stories that you feel got you to where you’re at today and have made the biggest impact on your life. Circle those.
examples from my story... Single mom working 60+ hours, losing my mom suddenly and knowing I needed to live my life my way- life is short, starting my business to allow more flexibility in my schedule.
4. Market Research
Your story is not just about you, now you have to look at who your audience is. Find 5 Ideal clients and have a virtual coffee date and ask them these 4 questions.
- What is their biggest struggle/pain?
- What do they desire?
- What is standing in their way?
- What needs to happen to get them from struggle to desire?
5. Pull it all together.
Now you can start to build your brand story based on what you learned in steps 1-4.
Places you can share your story:
- On your website: about me page, work with me page, sales pages
- Your weekly email newsletter
- In your email nurture sequence
- Podcasts, virtual summits, collaborations- any training you are invited onto
- Video: Facebook Live, Instagram Live, YouTube
- Case studies and testimonials
- Your Blog
- Social Media Posts
Remember your story is not cookie cutter and it shouldn't sound like everyone else. Your story is uniquely yours as it is based off of all of your life lessons, skills and experiences.
Own your story and share it everywhere.
If you need help with this I invite you to sign up for my
Create Your Brand Story 90 minute Intensive you’ll get clarity on which stories to share and how to connect them to your messaging so that you have the confidence to share your story on video, blogs, guest posts, and podcasting.
I believe in you! You're allowed to stand out. You're allowed to shine. You're allowed to be you.
✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.
In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.
Plus, you’ll get a
step-by-step workbook and
personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.
Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
