March 18, 2025 • 10 mins
Social media is packed with content, but let’s be real—most of it gets scrolled past without a second thought. The difference between a forgettable post and one that stops someone in their tracks? Storytelling.
In this episode of The Social Media Reality Check, I’m breaking down why storytelling is the secret weapon for building emotional connections, keeping your audience engaged, and turning casual scrollers into loyal fans. No fluff—just real, actionable tips you can start using today.
Why Storytelling is a Game-Changer
📢 People are craving connection—nobody wants another sales pitch.
📢 Stories make you memorable—facts fade, but feelings stick.
📢 Storytelling builds trust—relatable content turns followers into fans.
📢 92% of consumers say they’re more likely to connect with brands that use storytelling in their content. (Adweek, 2024)
How to Tell Stories That Stick
🔥 1. Be relatable—Share real, human moments, not just the highlight reel.
🔥 2. Create conflict—Hook your audience by sharing struggles before the breakthrough.
🔥 3. Show transformation—Make sure your story has a takeaway your audience can apply.
Where to Use Storytelling Across Platforms
📌 Instagram – Hook them with captions that make them stop and read.
📌 TikTok – Keep it casual, like talking to a friend.
📌 LinkedIn – Share career lessons and personal insights.
📌 YouTube – Go deep with long-form storytelling.
📌 Facebook – Connect emotionally with personal or business stories.
Final Takeaways
✅ The best stories aren’t perfect—they’re real.
✅ You don’t need to be a master storyteller—just start sharing.
✅ Social media is about connection, not just content.
Connect With Me
📌 Instagram: @wheeler_marketing_agency
📌 Website: wheelermarketingagency.com
Found this episode helpful? Share it with someone who needs to hear it! Let’s make social media more human again.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:05):
welcome to the Social Media Reality Check
the show that cuts through the noise
and brings you real
actionable social media strategies that really work
I'm your host Danielle Wheeler
and with over 15 years of experience
managing social media for business
I'm here to share what's actually moving the needle
no fluff no outdated tactics
practical strategies you can implement today
(00:26):
hey everyone
welcome back to the social media reality check
I'm your host Danielle Wheeler
and today
I'm diving into something that can completely
transform your social media game
and that's storytelling
how many posts have you actually scrolled past today
without even stopping probably a lot right
so social media is packed with content
(00:46):
but most of it doesn't stick
it's just noise
think about that last post you actually stopped to read
watched all the way through or even shared
what made it different
I'm willing to bet it was a story
something that pulled you in
made you feel something
or even reminded you of your own life
(01:08):
that's the power of storytelling
it's either
the difference between being just another post
in someone's feed
and being the post that changes their day
or even their life in this episode
I'm going to unpack
how you can actually use storytelling to build real
emotional connections with your audience
and I'm not talking about perfectly curated
(01:30):
cinematic stories I'm talking about raw
authentic human stories the kind that make people think
wow I feel seen or that's exactly what I needed to hear
today I'm gonna dive into why storytelling works
and why it's more important than ever
the ingredients of a great story
(01:50):
how do you storytelling on any platform
from Instagram to LinkedIn to TikTok
and of course as always
actionable tips you can implement today
so grab your coffee
tea or whatever fuels your creativity
and let's get started
let's kick this off with why storytelling is
(02:11):
such a game changer here's the thing
social media is built for
drum roll please storytelling
we are wired as humans to connect through stories
from the cave paintings of ancient civilizations
to the movies we binge on Netflix
stories are how we understand the world and each other
(02:34):
but here's where it gets interesting
in the social media landscape
people are desperate for connection
they are so tired of being sold to 24 7
they're craving something real
something human and by doing that
that is how you will stand out on social media
(02:55):
and there's data to back this up too
a study by Adweek found that 92% of consumers say
they're more likely to connect with brands
that use storytelling in their content
that's not just big corporations
it's you whether you're a solo entrepreneur
a small business owner or even a content creator
(03:15):
this applies to you now
here's what storytelling does
No.1 obviously
it makes you memorable facts fade
but feelings stick if your content sparks an emotion
people will remember you and of course
it builds trust when you share your struggles
(03:37):
your lessons or your journey
you become relatable
you're not just a logo or a username
you're a person and No. 3
it inspires action people are more likely to engage
share
and even buy when they see themselves in your story
(03:58):
and here's the kicker
storytelling works on every platform
whether it's a 15 second TikTok
a heartfelt Instagram caption
or a long form LinkedIn post
stories resonate alright
so now that you know why stories work so well
let's break it down and show you how to do it
(04:21):
because a great story doesn't need to be complicated
in fact the simpler the better
it's about three key elements
No.1 relatability
being human and not perfect
your audience needs to see themselves in your story
this means showing your human side
not just the highlight reel
(04:42):
so for example let's say you're a personal trainer
instead of posting a generic
here's my gym routine try sharing
a time when you struggled to stay consistent
talk about the mornings
you didn't want to get out of bed
what motivated you and how did you overcome it
when you open up about your challenges
your audience thinks oh wow
(05:03):
they get it they're just like me
and that's what creates connection
No. 2 conflict or tension
the you know
the hook that pulls them in
no great story starts with everything was perfect
and then it got even better
no people love drama
tension and problem solving
(05:25):
so for example
instead of saying I grew my business by 200%
share the messy middle six months ago
I was ready to quit nothing I tried was working
but then
I stumbled onto a strategy that changed everything
see the difference see how that conflict pulls you in
it creates curiosity your audience will stick around
(05:49):
because they want to know how you solve
the problem that they're also struggling with
alright key No. 3 is the transformation
share the lesson every story needs a resolution
what changed what did you learn
how can your audience take something valuable away
here's a great example if you're a say
(06:09):
travel blogger
don't just post a photo of a stunning beach and say
oh my God I love this trip
instead
tell them the story of how you almost missed the flight
the local you met who showed you the hidden spot
and how it reminded you to embrace the unexpected
the takeaway your audience sees the transformation
(06:30):
and feels inspired to create their own story
all right now let's get into the more practical stuff
how do you actually use storytelling
on the different platforms
let's start off with let's start off with Instagram
Instagram absolutely loves storytelling
for example in your captions
start with a hook like I almost quit last year
(06:51):
but here's what saved me
then take your audience through the story step by step
and pro tip
pair your storytelling with behind the scenes photos
or raw unfiltered images
when it comes to TikTok storytelling is gold
the best performing
videos are often just people sharing their experience
in a super casual and relatable way
(07:15):
you can start off with a hook like
here's how I turn my biggest failure into my greatest
success and keep it very conversational
talk like you're just chatting with a friend
don't be afraid to show emotion
whether it's excitement frustration
or joy and for LinkedIn
I know storytelling on LinkedIn might sound weird
(07:36):
but it's actually one of the best ways to stand out
most people post you know
that dry professional update
so
a personal story can actually be a breath of fresh air
so share a lesson you Learned in your career
talk about a challenge you overcame
and how it shaped your perspective
or even end with a question to invite engagement like
(07:58):
have you ever experienced something similar
now as for YouTube
YouTube is perfect for long form storytelling
you can really dive deep into your journey
or teach through stories
here's the format that I recommend is No. 1
start with a teaser
what's the story about and why should people watch
(08:18):
No. 2 share the journey with all of the UPS and downs
and No. 3 end
of course with a clear takeaway or called action
like
here's what I Learned and here's how you can apply it
and last but not least Facebook
Facebook is a blend of
personal and professional storytelling
(08:38):
making it a great place to connect with your audience
on an even deeper level so for business pages
share customer stories or behind the scene insights
or a day in the life of
to make your brand feel more human
and if you're using Facebook for personal branding
authentic
storytelling can help position you as an expert
(09:00):
while keeping it conversational
and a little pro tip for Facebook
Facebook users engage most with emotion driven posts
so don't be afraid to get personal
or even vulnerable when telling a story
alright so here's your challenge for this week
think about a story only you can tell
(09:21):
maybe it's a lesson you've Learned
a challenge you faced
or a moment that changed your perspective
share it whether it's on Instagram
TikTok LinkedIn or wherever you hang out online
and remember social media isn't about perfect posts
it's about creating moments of connection
when you tell your story
(09:42):
you give your audience permission to connect
engage and even see themselves in what you are sharing
and if this episode sparked an idea for you
DM me on Instagram tell me about it
I'd love to hear your story
and thank you so much for hanging out with me today
on the social media reality check
keep telling your stories and I will see you next time
(10:04):
remember social media doesn't have to be complicated
it just has to be real until next time
this is Danielle Wheeler
reminding you to keep it authentic
keep it strategic
and always get your social media reality check
welcome to the Social Media Reality Check
the show that cuts through the noise
and brings you real
actionable social media strategies that really work
I'm your host Danielle Wheeler
and with over 15 years of experience
managing social media for business
I'm here to share what's actually moving the needle
no fluff no outdated tactics
practical strategies you can implement today
(00:26):
hey everyone
welcome back to the social media reality check
I'm your host Danielle Wheeler
and today
I'm diving into something that can completely
transform your social media game
and that's storytelling
how many posts have you actually scrolled past today
without even stopping probably a lot right
so social media is packed with content
(00:46):
but most of it doesn't stick
it's just noise
think about that last post you actually stopped to read
watched all the way through or even shared
what made it different
I'm willing to bet it was a story
something that pulled you in
made you feel something
or even reminded you of your own life
(01:08):
that's the power of storytelling
it's either
the difference between being just another post
in someone's feed
and being the post that changes their day
or even their life in this episode
I'm going to unpack
how you can actually use storytelling to build real
emotional connections with your audience
and I'm not talking about perfectly curated
(01:30):
cinematic stories I'm talking about raw
authentic human stories the kind that make people think
wow I feel seen or that's exactly what I needed to hear
today I'm gonna dive into why storytelling works
and why it's more important than ever
the ingredients of a great story
(01:50):
how do you storytelling on any platform
from Instagram to LinkedIn to TikTok
and of course as always
actionable tips you can implement today
so grab your coffee
tea or whatever fuels your creativity
and let's get started
let's kick this off with why storytelling is
(02:11):
such a game changer here's the thing
social media is built for
drum roll please storytelling
we are wired as humans to connect through stories
from the cave paintings of ancient civilizations
to the movies we binge on Netflix
stories are how we understand the world and each other
(02:34):
but here's where it gets interesting
in the social media landscape
people are desperate for connection
they are so tired of being sold to 24 7
they're craving something real
something human and by doing that
that is how you will stand out on social media
(02:55):
and there's data to back this up too
a study by Adweek found that 92% of consumers say
they're more likely to connect with brands
that use storytelling in their content
that's not just big corporations
it's you whether you're a solo entrepreneur
a small business owner or even a content creator
(03:15):
this applies to you now
here's what storytelling does
No.1 obviously
it makes you memorable facts fade
but feelings stick if your content sparks an emotion
people will remember you and of course
it builds trust when you share your struggles
(03:37):
your lessons or your journey
you become relatable
you're not just a logo or a username
you're a person and No. 3
it inspires action people are more likely to engage
share
and even buy when they see themselves in your story
(03:58):
and here's the kicker
storytelling works on every platform
whether it's a 15 second TikTok
a heartfelt Instagram caption
or a long form LinkedIn post
stories resonate alright
so now that you know why stories work so well
let's break it down and show you how to do it
(04:21):
because a great story doesn't need to be complicated
in fact the simpler the better
it's about three key elements
No.1 relatability
being human and not perfect
your audience needs to see themselves in your story
this means showing your human side
not just the highlight reel
(04:42):
so for example let's say you're a personal trainer
instead of posting a generic
here's my gym routine try sharing
a time when you struggled to stay consistent
talk about the mornings
you didn't want to get out of bed
what motivated you and how did you overcome it
when you open up about your challenges
your audience thinks oh wow
(05:03):
they get it they're just like me
and that's what creates connection
No. 2 conflict or tension
the you know
the hook that pulls them in
no great story starts with everything was perfect
and then it got even better
no people love drama
tension and problem solving
(05:25):
so for example
instead of saying I grew my business by 200%
share the messy middle six months ago
I was ready to quit nothing I tried was working
but then
I stumbled onto a strategy that changed everything
see the difference see how that conflict pulls you in
it creates curiosity your audience will stick around
(05:49):
because they want to know how you solve
the problem that they're also struggling with
alright key No. 3 is the transformation
share the lesson every story needs a resolution
what changed what did you learn
how can your audience take something valuable away
here's a great example if you're a say
(06:09):
travel blogger
don't just post a photo of a stunning beach and say
oh my God I love this trip
instead
tell them the story of how you almost missed the flight
the local you met who showed you the hidden spot
and how it reminded you to embrace the unexpected
the takeaway your audience sees the transformation
(06:30):
and feels inspired to create their own story
all right now let's get into the more practical stuff
how do you actually use storytelling
on the different platforms
let's start off with let's start off with Instagram
Instagram absolutely loves storytelling
for example in your captions
start with a hook like I almost quit last year
(06:51):
but here's what saved me
then take your audience through the story step by step
and pro tip
pair your storytelling with behind the scenes photos
or raw unfiltered images
when it comes to TikTok storytelling is gold
the best performing
videos are often just people sharing their experience
in a super casual and relatable way
(07:15):
you can start off with a hook like
here's how I turn my biggest failure into my greatest
success and keep it very conversational
talk like you're just chatting with a friend
don't be afraid to show emotion
whether it's excitement frustration
or joy and for LinkedIn
I know storytelling on LinkedIn might sound weird
(07:36):
but it's actually one of the best ways to stand out
most people post you know
that dry professional update
so
a personal story can actually be a breath of fresh air
so share a lesson you Learned in your career
talk about a challenge you overcame
and how it shaped your perspective
or even end with a question to invite engagement like
(07:58):
have you ever experienced something similar
now as for YouTube
YouTube is perfect for long form storytelling
you can really dive deep into your journey
or teach through stories
here's the format that I recommend is No. 1
start with a teaser
what's the story about and why should people watch
(08:18):
No. 2 share the journey with all of the UPS and downs
and No. 3 end
of course with a clear takeaway or called action
like
here's what I Learned and here's how you can apply it
and last but not least Facebook
Facebook is a blend of
personal and professional storytelling
(08:38):
making it a great place to connect with your audience
on an even deeper level so for business pages
share customer stories or behind the scene insights
or a day in the life of
to make your brand feel more human
and if you're using Facebook for personal branding
authentic
storytelling can help position you as an expert
(09:00):
while keeping it conversational
and a little pro tip for Facebook
Facebook users engage most with emotion driven posts
so don't be afraid to get personal
or even vulnerable when telling a story
alright so here's your challenge for this week
think about a story only you can tell
(09:21):
maybe it's a lesson you've Learned
a challenge you faced
or a moment that changed your perspective
share it whether it's on Instagram
TikTok LinkedIn or wherever you hang out online
and remember social media isn't about perfect posts
it's about creating moments of connection
when you tell your story
(09:42):
you give your audience permission to connect
engage and even see themselves in what you are sharing
and if this episode sparked an idea for you
DM me on Instagram tell me about it
I'd love to hear your story
and thank you so much for hanging out with me today
on the social media reality check
keep telling your stories and I will see you next time
(10:04):
remember social media doesn't have to be complicated
it just has to be real until next time
this is Danielle Wheeler
reminding you to keep it authentic
keep it strategic
and always get your social media reality check
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