The Simple Storytelling Formula Every New Business Owner Should Know
My LinkedIn post went viral - here's how I did it
We’ve all seen them. Those viral social media posts that seem to pull you in effortlessly, starting with a hook so good you can’t help but keep reading. They follow a tried-and-true formula, almost like a magician’s trick... or, as I prefer to call them, a snake oil salesman’s pitch.
Here’s how it works:
Start with a short, attention-grabbing sentence.
Follow it with a twist that subverts expectations.
Tell a story that entertains, educates, or inspires.
End with a resolution that ties it all together.
I saw a perfect example of this on LinkedIn the other day. I suspect the author had taken liberties with the truth and yet managed to rack up 61,880 views, 3,115 comments, and 745 reposts. That got me thinking: could I follow the same format, but with a real story of my own, and achieve similar results?
Testing the Formula
Here’s what I did:
I wrote about the time I got banned from Tinder for trying to promote an upcoming gig. Spoiler: I’m still banned. But the funny thing was, my “failure” turned into a win because I gained a handful of new audience members and contacts that ultimately led to more work.
It was a good story, but I wasn’t sure how to make it pop.
I took my original story that I had written up and then grabbed the viral LinkedIn post for reference. I used the example to format my story in a similar way. It took multiple extra edits on my part but I finally had something I was happy with.
On Wednesday, I posted it. You can read it here.
The Results
In just 20 hours, my post had:
35,671 impressions
311 reactions
28 comments
4 reposts
Not bad for a story about getting banned on a dating app, right?
Why This Matters for Your Business
If you’re starting a business, or you’re just trying to grow your brand, this framework can work wonders for building visibility and engagement. Why? Because everybody loves a good story. They’re memorable, relatable, and they create a connection with your audience.
Here’s how you can replicate this for your own business:
Start with a hook. What’s something surprising, funny, or intriguing about your product, journey, or experience?
Subvert expectations. Add an unexpected twist to keep people curious.
Tell a story. Share a real (or relatable) moment that ties back to your business or message.
Finish with a resolution. Show how the challenge was overcome or what you learned and then tie it back to your audience’s needs.
Don’t Overthink It
Sure, my story may not have gone mega-viral, but it’s reaching potential participants for Startup School for Seniors (the plug at the end). And that’s what matters. As a new business owner, your goal shouldn’t be to go viral for the sake of it. You want to connect with people who could benefit from what you’re offering.
So, take a chance. Share your story. And don’t be afraid to tweak it, test it, and refine it along the way. You never know. You might just create the post that gets people talking about you.
Join my next PR on a Shoestring Workshop
If you’re interested in discovering the multiple ways to gain awareness for your business, join my next PR on a Shoestring Workshop on 8th November. Get Work Done Club members are entitled to a FREE ticket, for all others it’s £14.99. Here’s the link to book:
PR Opportunity!
The Telegraph newspaper is seeking to speak to those from under represented backgrounds who have started businesses in their 60s, 70s and beyond for a feature they are writing. (If you started your business in your 50s, and are now in your 60s, that’s OK too!).
Contact me at suzanne@advantagesofage.com and I’ll put you in touch with the journalist for further information.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
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