July 7, 2025 • 20 mins
Feeling like you need to post more educational tips to grow on Instagram? Think again. In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m breaking down the real reason your audience connects—and it’s not your perfectly curated content. It’s your storytelling.
You’ll learn how to show up like a human (not just a business), say the things your audience is thinking but not saying, and repurpose your content without burning out. If you’re ready to create content that actually connects and converts, this one’s for you.
Let’s make your content feel more like you—and less like a checklist.
👉 Check out the full show notes for this episode.
What I cover inside the episode:
✨ Why posting more tips doesn’t build trust—storytelling does
✨ 3 ways to use storytelling to deepen audience connection
✨ How to repurpose your podcast to work smarter, not harder
✨ Why vulnerability builds brand loyalty (even if it scares you)
✨ The behind-the-scenes mindset shift I’m navigating while recording video
📌 Episode Resources
My Top 10 Most Commented on Storytelling Posts
Connect with me:
🫶🏼 Follow me on Instagram for daily insights
🫶🏼 Join my 321 Create Newsletter for weekly content tips
🫶🏼 Check out The Content Coven Membership
Be sure to hit "Subscribe" or "Follow" so you never miss an episode!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
The reason people feel like I'mtheir bestie isn't'cause I post
(00:04):
daily can tips.
Okay?
It's'cause I show up like ahuman.
I tell the truth and I say thequiet parts out loud and you can
do the same.
And when you do, people aregonna feel it.
Welcome to the Creative Bodega,a podcast about content
marketing, Instagram growth, andpersonal branding for female
(00:24):
service-based solopreneurs whowanna grow their business
without letting it take overtheir lives.
I'm your host, EM Connors, andeach week I'll share actionable
tips, expert advice, andunfiltered truths to help you
create engaging content, connectauthentically with your audience
and turn followers into loyalcustomers, all without the
burnout.
(00:45):
If you're ready to simplify yourcontent creation, navigate the
ever changing trends and build abusiness that works for you
while staying sane in this.
Crazy season of life, thenyou're in the right place.
Hey guys, I'm here and today Iwanna talk about storytelling.
So just a little behind thescenes information.
(01:08):
I'm actually recording this withvideo today, and I don't know if
I'll use it on YouTube because.
The thought of putting this onYouTube terrifies me.
I don't know why.
Hiding behind a mic andpodcasting without actually
looking at a screen and likeanalyzing myself and judging
myself, which is a lot easier,but.
I'm gonna try it because if Ican work smarter, not harder,
(01:30):
and literally just like use mypodcast for YouTube, like that
makes the most sense, right?
Like why would I not?
But we'll see.
So I just wanna let you know ifI sound weird today, it's
probably'cause of that, but I'mnot gonna even look at the
screen as I'm talking.
I'm gonna look at my notesbecause I mean, I wouldn't be
able to stay on track otherwise.
Okay.
Storytelling to build connectionand community.
(01:54):
As a service based solopreneur,so everybody asks me all the
time, how do I increase myengagement?
How do I increase my storyviews?
And all I want you to try thisweek is to tell a personable,
relatable story.
And I'm absolutely gonna giveyou some ideas to help maybe
(02:15):
spark some ideas in you or someaha moments.
Like, oh, like this happened tome a couple weeks ago, I could
share about that, right?
So if you've ever felt like yourcontent is.
Fine, but not quite connectingwith your audience, or they're
not replying to you.
You know, they're not commentingon your post in your feed, or
(02:36):
they're not replying to yourstories in Instagram.
I mean, or they're not.
Like my audience dms me afterlistening to my podcast episode
to say, I love this or loved it,da da, da.
So if you're not getting thatverbal confirmation that your
audience is paying attention andthey're listening to you and
they're enjoying what you'retalking about.
Storytelling's, likely themissing piece.
(02:59):
When I look at a student or amember inside the covens feed
and I just see like teaching,teaching, teaching, teaching,
and there's really no like.
Pause, personal connectionmoment.
No storytelling.
It's the first thing I tell themto do.
Some people are the opposite.
It's actually too much.
Storytelling, storytelling,storytelling.
I have a friend that's like thatand there's really no like
(03:21):
tangible teaching moments or,you know what I mean?
I'm like, well, you need somemore education.
Or the other person would needmore personal storytelling
moments.
Okay.
It sort of falls into theentertainment category if you're
thinking about it like.
Entertain, inspire, educate.
Or it could fall into inspire,but it's just vital.
(03:43):
And when I first started postingon social media, what I did was
each week on Wednesday, I wouldjust share a photo of myself and
the value would be in thecaption and I'd be storytelling.
And I actually have a freeresource.
It's like my top 10 most repliedto.
Story-based captions, and I'llinclude that link in this show
notes today.
(04:03):
And if you do need any shownotes, you're simply gonna go to
the creative bodega.com/blog/ 23for all the notes on this
episode.
But you should download that'cause.
I basically hyperlink each ofthese posts that got me the most
replies, right?
And they're, they'restorytelling.
It's just a photo of me.
So clearly when you see a photoof someone, you're like, well,
(04:24):
the values in the caption.
Let's see what this caption'sall about.
And I would just try to tell astory.
Why?
'cause listen, I could giveCanva and content creation tips
tell blue in the face.
But like sometimes you gottapause and just be like, what's
up?
This is me.
I am M, this is something Iexperienced.
This is something I wentthrough.
Can you relate to this?
(04:44):
That's where people feel thatconnection piece.
And I'm telling you, it has beenthe biggest difference maker in
my business to build it to whatit is today.
You know, a multi six figurebusiness on track to hit a
million dollars in revenue thisyear.
And that's from my last threeand a half years of being in
(05:05):
business.
That is not any year.
I'm not one of those, you know,success stories, but I'm really
proud of what I've built.
And my gosh, the fact that I'mgonna hit a million dollars.
In this thing that I just builtin my fourth spare bedroom is,
is something to celebrate.
So, and storytelling really is,or sharing parts of my life is,
(05:25):
is really at the, the beast ofthat.
So when I say storytelling,like, what do I mean?
I mean, my husband thinks I loadthe dishwasher the wrong way.
I saw a hummingbird outside mywindow and it made me think of
my grandfather.
I have a kid who is incrediblyanxious and having issues
falling asleep at night.
What would you do?
(05:46):
So it's, it's really invitingpeople into your story where
they can then say, me too, or Ihave an idea for that, or my
husband thinks the same.
Like, it's just getting peopleto relate to you on a human
level.
Right.
And it's so important.
Okay, so this episode's gonna beyour roadmap.
(06:07):
So what we're gonna dive intotoday, why storytelling's the
most underrated strategy forgrowth?
How to start, even if you thinkyour stories are boring, which
is something I hear all thetime.
Oh, I have nothing to talkabout.
My life is so boring, false.
So, um, I wanna share somesimple ways that I share stories
that build that trust andconnection.
Okay, so let's just get into it.
(06:29):
This is why storytelling works,even if you don't think you're a
good storyteller.
There's one thing I've learnedfrom my business on Instagram
and in my emails and on mypodcasts and in the dms, it's
that people don't buy frompeople they admire.
Okay.
They buy from people that theyfeel the closest to the most
comfortable with.
(06:50):
How are you gonna get someone tofeel close to you as a human
being?
By telling stories, not byshowing that you know the most,
there are so many experts outthere that know more than me.
I'm the first to admit that Idon't pretend like I know
anything.
And when somebody calls me outand is like, there's a better
way to do that, I'm like.
Awesome.
Thank you.
Now I'm gonna update that reeland do it better next time.
(07:13):
I don't pretend I know it all,but.
I absolutely help people feelclose to me by being vulnerable
and by sharing parts of my lifethat I'm comfortable sharing.
I'm not forcing this and I'llexplain kind of how I approach
it in a little bit, but youknow, a Canva tip here or there,
content creation ideas orstreamlining it, like that'll
(07:34):
get saved.
Absolutely.
But when I share something, likeI almost didn't record this
episode because I felt.
Off today because I'm about toget my period, or you know, it
gets like all these replies,like, oh, same like, oh, you
know, oh my God, thank you forsaying this.
I thought I was crazy.
Or literally me today.
Like I, I get flooded with thosetypes of replies and that's what
(07:57):
you want.
That's connection.
That's community building.
It's not just visibility, it'snot just growth.
It's community building, so howto start even if your life feels
boring.
Okay, so I just reviewed whyit's important and I think I've
hit that home pretty well.
Why storytelling works.
How to start, even if you feellike your life is boring.
(08:18):
Do what I said I did in thebeginning.
Yeah.
I don't do it anymore and Icould, I could bring it back
easily.
But I just, I'm sort of to thepoint where I don't necessarily
need to, and I'm reallystorytelling and nurturing my
audience in places other than myfeed.
So what I told you in thebeginning is when I first
started, and for the first threeyears of my business, every
Wednesday was just a simplephoto of me with a story in the
(08:40):
caption.
Something relatable, somethingthat didn't always have to do
with business.
Sometimes it did, but a lot oftimes it didn't.
And it would be something like.
One of my most commented wasthree truths and one Lie where I
literally shared three truethings about me, and there was a
lie in there.
And my audience had to pickwhich one was the lie that let
(09:02):
my audience get to know thingsabout me, but they, they didn't
maybe know before.
Like I attended three colleges.
Uh, my grandfather invented theTV dinner.
Gosh, I forget the other trueones that I, I did, but, and
then I threw a lie in there.
If you don't know what to say,ask Chacha.
Bt go to Chacha bt and say,these are three truths I wanna
tell my audience.
Can you come up, help me come upwith some good lies that I could
(09:24):
include?
Right?
I talk about my recipe.
Skew dog blitz.
He's a pit bull.
He's completely neurotic, but Ilove him and he's my shadow and
people can relate to that.
And I talk about how my daughteris very anxious and how, you
know, she struggles with goingto bed at night.
I can't even tell you the amountof feedback I got from that.
Post.
(09:44):
That was actually a story, justpeople being like, try this, try
this.
Have you tried this?
And it was really helpful.
Okay, so why does this work?
Because it's the stuff thatpeople feel connected to and
maybe they just don't say outloud, but they instantly
recognize it.
Right?
It doesn't have to be profound.
It doesn't have to be anythinglike earth shadowing.
(10:07):
You just need to be specific andhonest with your audience.
So here's a really simpleframework to start with.
This happened and here's what itreminded me of, or if there's
any way for you to pull youraudience in.
This happened.
What would you guys do?
What would you try?
What has worked for you?
(10:28):
The second your audience feelsneeded and important and valued,
they're gonna chime in, trustme.
Okay, so examples Again, I'vehad thermostat wars with my
husband before.
I've had dishwasher wars,anything husband related gets a
lot of replies.
Anything kid related gets a lotof replies.
(10:49):
Anything about my rescue doggets a lot of replies.
Anything about just like homestuff in general.
And again, here's what itreminded me of.
Like we all have ways of doingcertain things and you can
relate it back to your businessif you want.
Like my dishwasher drama with myhusband, he thinks, I dunno how
to load it.
Here's what it reminded me of.
We all have our own way of doingthings.
(11:11):
And business is no different.
So you can tie it back tobusiness if you want, if that
feels more legit to you.
And sometimes I'm not lying.
I go into chat, GBT, I say, I'mthinking of sharing this story,
and I wanna relate it back tobeing a business owner.
What, what ideas do you have forme?
And if my brain just doesn'tmake those connections, which it
often doesn't, okay.
(11:32):
But now it's relatable, it'shelpful, and it sticks.
So how do I do this in my owncontent?
There isn't a perfect mapped outcontent calendar strategy for
me.
Honestly.
I really do follow my intuition.
I do a lot of this in mystories.
I do a lot of this on mypodcast.
I do a lot of this in the introto my newsletter that I send
(11:53):
every week, but sometimes I wakeup and think, let's talk about
Canva and how to make yourcontent look like this, you
know, big brand with a littletiny effort.
And other days I'm like.
I just need to tell you whathappened to me today.
And it's messy and maybe you canrelate, right?
And I do both in my stories, noquestion.
(12:15):
I'm, I'm teaching sometimes, andother times I'm just like, you
guys aren't gonna believe whathappened.
So how do I make this feelreally natural?
I don't have coworkers anymore.
And honest to God, if you're oneof my past coworkers, you know.
I, I've stayed in touch with allmy past coworkers, the ones that
I made relationships with.
I, I adore them.
I, I got involved in theirlives.
(12:36):
I knew their lives.
I knew their kids.
I knew their dynamics with theirhusbands.
I, I knew their job struggles.
Like we would talk every morningbefore the big boss came in.
We would sit with our coffee andwe would chat and we would tell
stories.
What happened last night?
You're not gonna believe this.
Oh, have you guys tried this newmakeup product?
(12:57):
You're gonna love it.
I'm loving it.
Like those daily little gems ofstories or information that make
you relatable.
So I honest to God, sit and Ipretend.
What would I say to my coworkersthis morning if, you know, if
they were sitting here next tome and that helps me so much.
It's just that honest, relaxedcoffee breath conversation
(13:20):
before the boss comes in.
Okay.
And that tone builds so muchtrust with your audience.
It's not like, come look at me.
It's more like, come sit withme, come hang out, let's have a
conversation.
And honestly, one of the bestcompliments I get in my dms is
like.
When you're talking, I feel likeI'm sitting across from you
having coffee, and I'm like,that's phenomenal.
(13:43):
That's the energy that I want inmy business.
I want you to feel like youcould be my friend in real life.
So in my audience, in thecontent coven.
Everywhere I hang out.
That's really how I attractpeople who don't just follow me.
They stay and they end up buyingbecause there is this
relatability factor.
(14:04):
Okay, so I just actually wannareview with you some of my most
replied most viewed stories.
I looked up my most viewedstories in the last three
months, and let me just runthrough what they are real
quick.
Top 180 500 views.
It is me walking to my car, notlooking, the camera's not
(14:25):
looking at me, the camera'slooking out at my car, and my
son is inside playing therecorder.
And in third grade, you startplaying the recorder where I
live.
And he was playing it nonstop,in fact.
To the point that we were goingsomewhere in the car and he
brought it in the car and I waslike, I'm going to be noise
canceling headphones.
So relatable.
(14:46):
Anyone who has a kid who everhad the recorder like fully
agreed.
Okay, next one.
It's me sitting at my son'ssoccer game again, not the
camera looking at me.
In fact, none of these are thecamera looking at me talking.
It's all me facing out or reelsthat I shared.
This one, my daughter isdecorating my medical shoe with
dandelions because I hadrecently had surgery on my foot.
(15:09):
Don't even ask me why that's themost viewed.
The next one is a reel that Ishared.
So a really great way to startout doing this is by finding
reels that make you laugh, thatfeel so relatable and just are
funny.
So this one is somebody tryingto put a duvet cover on.
And it makes me laugh justlooking at it.
They got completely stuck insideof it and someone's videoing
(15:31):
laughing so hard and it justmade me cackle and I was like,
my audience is gonna think thisis funny.
Fourth one with 4,500 views isme a picture of my kids visiting
my grandparents' grave.
My grandparents were like themost important people in my
entire world.
They both passed away.
I took my kids to finally seetheir grave.
And I don't know, that's, Iguess just, you know, that human
(15:52):
connection life, death kids.
Um, the next one is, oh, a funnyreel that somebody posted about
dishwasher loading literally2,400 views.
Uh, the next one's actually mydaughter's birthday.
I just, it's a picture of herwith a cake in front of her with
candles.
Happy birthday to my sweet8-year-old girl.
Lots of views.
I don't know.
(16:12):
Relatable.
The next one, which is theseventh highest in the last
three months is what emailsubject line would you click if
you got this email in yourinbox, like which subject?
And people, again, you feelvaluable.
I'm asking you for your opinion.
I'm going to use what youselect.
People love that.
Next one, a reel that I sharedabout somebody like replying to
(16:34):
dms.
Like I'm screaming, I'mliterally crying.
I'm dead.
Like can't breathe.
And it's actually a picture ofthis guy just like looking at
his phone with like a smirk andit says mean reality, which just
made me laugh because it's kindof me.
I'm like, oh my God.
It's funniest thing I've seenall day and I like actually
didn't laugh.
But anyways.
And then the last one is me andmy kids at a lacrosse tournament
(16:55):
like.
I don't know.
So do you see the theme here?
It's literally like reels thatmade me laugh.
That help share my sense ofhumor.
And if you relate, you're gonnalaugh at it too.
Or if you have a similarpersonality or you have a
similar sense of humor, you'regonna laugh.
And then it's.
Funny, personal kid stuff like,and listen, I'm not saying you
(17:15):
have to show your kids if youdon't wanna share your kids,
that's fine.
I always ask my kids before Ishare anything online, do you
mind if I share this?
My daughter's typically allabout it.
My son doesn't love it, so Idon't share him a lot.
He doesn not wanna be on video.
He's too shy and I don't care.
I'm not gonna make him do it.
Reese, on the other hand, mydaughter, she kind of likes the
limelight, so.
(17:36):
She doesn't mind, but she'sgotta prove it first.
Like I will always show her thisis what it looks like.
Is that okay?
So my kids are old enough.
They're eight and nine now.
Had to think about that.
They just had birthdays so theycan say yay or nay.
All right, so here's what breaksthe trust post in like a robot.
Showing up like you're alwayson.
(17:56):
Like that's just not real.
It's such a turnoff to me.
I'm not gonna throw some bignames out there that show up
like this, but it's a littlenauseating to me, and you
probably know who I'm talkingabout.
But just always, hi.
Like, like chill, chill.
Be normal.
Be real.
Like I cannot relate to that,like over the top energy.
I want out asap.
(18:17):
And last thing, hiding yourhumanness because you think it's
unprofessional, it's not.
If you are a solopreneur,building a personal brand, that
human side of you is what isgonna get people to relate and
connect and feel that trustbetween you and somebody else
who doesn't do this, right?
So what are your next steps?
(18:39):
Simple, simple homework.
This week I want you to share astory that feels small but
honest.
Use this prompt.
This happened today.
It reminded me that, or thishappened today.
What would you do?
And tie it into something youknow, your audience would feel
as well.
Don't overthink it.
Don't polish it.
Just share it.
(18:59):
And if you're thinking, is thisactually gonna work?
Let me just say this.
The reason people feel like I'mtheir bestie isn't'cause I post
daily canid tips.
Okay?
It's'cause I show up like ahuman.
I tell the truth and I say thequiet parts out loud and you can
do the same.
And when you do, people aregonna feel it.
So do me a favor.
(19:21):
Post something this week in yourfeed or hop in your stories and
share a true story and letpeople feel that human side of
you.
You don't need more hooks, youjust need honesty.
All right, give it a shot.
Let me know how it goes, and Iwill see you on the next
episode.
(19:43):
Thanks so much for hanging outwith me on the Creative Bodega
Podcast.
If you love this episode, pleasebe sure to share it with a
fellow solopreneur.
Who could use a little contentcreation inspiration.
And hey, don't forget to checkout the show notes for any
resources I mentioned on theepisode to help you create
content that feels easy andactually gets you results.
(20:04):
If you want even more Canva andcontent tips, head over to my
website, the creativebodega.com, or find me on
Instagram under the same name.
Until next time, keep creating,keep showing up, and most
importantly, try and have alittle fun with your content.
I'll see you on the nextepisode.
The reason people feel like I'mtheir bestie isn't'cause I post
(00:04):
daily can tips.
Okay?
It's'cause I show up like ahuman.
I tell the truth and I say thequiet parts out loud and you can
do the same.
And when you do, people aregonna feel it.
Welcome to the Creative Bodega,a podcast about content
marketing, Instagram growth, andpersonal branding for female
(00:24):
service-based solopreneurs whowanna grow their business
without letting it take overtheir lives.
I'm your host, EM Connors, andeach week I'll share actionable
tips, expert advice, andunfiltered truths to help you
create engaging content, connectauthentically with your audience
and turn followers into loyalcustomers, all without the
burnout.
(00:45):
If you're ready to simplify yourcontent creation, navigate the
ever changing trends and build abusiness that works for you
while staying sane in this.
Crazy season of life, thenyou're in the right place.
Hey guys, I'm here and today Iwanna talk about storytelling.
So just a little behind thescenes information.
(01:08):
I'm actually recording this withvideo today, and I don't know if
I'll use it on YouTube because.
The thought of putting this onYouTube terrifies me.
I don't know why.
Hiding behind a mic andpodcasting without actually
looking at a screen and likeanalyzing myself and judging
myself, which is a lot easier,but.
I'm gonna try it because if Ican work smarter, not harder,
(01:30):
and literally just like use mypodcast for YouTube, like that
makes the most sense, right?
Like why would I not?
But we'll see.
So I just wanna let you know ifI sound weird today, it's
probably'cause of that, but I'mnot gonna even look at the
screen as I'm talking.
I'm gonna look at my notesbecause I mean, I wouldn't be
able to stay on track otherwise.
Okay.
Storytelling to build connectionand community.
(01:54):
As a service based solopreneur,so everybody asks me all the
time, how do I increase myengagement?
How do I increase my storyviews?
And all I want you to try thisweek is to tell a personable,
relatable story.
And I'm absolutely gonna giveyou some ideas to help maybe
(02:15):
spark some ideas in you or someaha moments.
Like, oh, like this happened tome a couple weeks ago, I could
share about that, right?
So if you've ever felt like yourcontent is.
Fine, but not quite connectingwith your audience, or they're
not replying to you.
You know, they're not commentingon your post in your feed, or
(02:36):
they're not replying to yourstories in Instagram.
I mean, or they're not.
Like my audience dms me afterlistening to my podcast episode
to say, I love this or loved it,da da, da.
So if you're not getting thatverbal confirmation that your
audience is paying attention andthey're listening to you and
they're enjoying what you'retalking about.
Storytelling's, likely themissing piece.
(02:59):
When I look at a student or amember inside the covens feed
and I just see like teaching,teaching, teaching, teaching,
and there's really no like.
Pause, personal connectionmoment.
No storytelling.
It's the first thing I tell themto do.
Some people are the opposite.
It's actually too much.
Storytelling, storytelling,storytelling.
I have a friend that's like thatand there's really no like
(03:21):
tangible teaching moments or,you know what I mean?
I'm like, well, you need somemore education.
Or the other person would needmore personal storytelling
moments.
Okay.
It sort of falls into theentertainment category if you're
thinking about it like.
Entertain, inspire, educate.
Or it could fall into inspire,but it's just vital.
(03:43):
And when I first started postingon social media, what I did was
each week on Wednesday, I wouldjust share a photo of myself and
the value would be in thecaption and I'd be storytelling.
And I actually have a freeresource.
It's like my top 10 most repliedto.
Story-based captions, and I'llinclude that link in this show
notes today.
(04:03):
And if you do need any shownotes, you're simply gonna go to
the creative bodega.com/blog/ 23for all the notes on this
episode.
But you should download that'cause.
I basically hyperlink each ofthese posts that got me the most
replies, right?
And they're, they'restorytelling.
It's just a photo of me.
So clearly when you see a photoof someone, you're like, well,
(04:24):
the values in the caption.
Let's see what this caption'sall about.
And I would just try to tell astory.
Why?
'cause listen, I could giveCanva and content creation tips
tell blue in the face.
But like sometimes you gottapause and just be like, what's
up?
This is me.
I am M, this is something Iexperienced.
This is something I wentthrough.
Can you relate to this?
(04:44):
That's where people feel thatconnection piece.
And I'm telling you, it has beenthe biggest difference maker in
my business to build it to whatit is today.
You know, a multi six figurebusiness on track to hit a
million dollars in revenue thisyear.
And that's from my last threeand a half years of being in
(05:05):
business.
That is not any year.
I'm not one of those, you know,success stories, but I'm really
proud of what I've built.
And my gosh, the fact that I'mgonna hit a million dollars.
In this thing that I just builtin my fourth spare bedroom is,
is something to celebrate.
So, and storytelling really is,or sharing parts of my life is,
(05:25):
is really at the, the beast ofthat.
So when I say storytelling,like, what do I mean?
I mean, my husband thinks I loadthe dishwasher the wrong way.
I saw a hummingbird outside mywindow and it made me think of
my grandfather.
I have a kid who is incrediblyanxious and having issues
falling asleep at night.
What would you do?
(05:46):
So it's, it's really invitingpeople into your story where
they can then say, me too, or Ihave an idea for that, or my
husband thinks the same.
Like, it's just getting peopleto relate to you on a human
level.
Right.
And it's so important.
Okay, so this episode's gonna beyour roadmap.
(06:07):
So what we're gonna dive intotoday, why storytelling's the
most underrated strategy forgrowth?
How to start, even if you thinkyour stories are boring, which
is something I hear all thetime.
Oh, I have nothing to talkabout.
My life is so boring, false.
So, um, I wanna share somesimple ways that I share stories
that build that trust andconnection.
Okay, so let's just get into it.
(06:29):
This is why storytelling works,even if you don't think you're a
good storyteller.
There's one thing I've learnedfrom my business on Instagram
and in my emails and on mypodcasts and in the dms, it's
that people don't buy frompeople they admire.
Okay.
They buy from people that theyfeel the closest to the most
comfortable with.
(06:50):
How are you gonna get someone tofeel close to you as a human
being?
By telling stories, not byshowing that you know the most,
there are so many experts outthere that know more than me.
I'm the first to admit that Idon't pretend like I know
anything.
And when somebody calls me outand is like, there's a better
way to do that, I'm like.
Awesome.
Thank you.
Now I'm gonna update that reeland do it better next time.
(07:13):
I don't pretend I know it all,but.
I absolutely help people feelclose to me by being vulnerable
and by sharing parts of my lifethat I'm comfortable sharing.
I'm not forcing this and I'llexplain kind of how I approach
it in a little bit, but youknow, a Canva tip here or there,
content creation ideas orstreamlining it, like that'll
(07:34):
get saved.
Absolutely.
But when I share something, likeI almost didn't record this
episode because I felt.
Off today because I'm about toget my period, or you know, it
gets like all these replies,like, oh, same like, oh, you
know, oh my God, thank you forsaying this.
I thought I was crazy.
Or literally me today.
Like I, I get flooded with thosetypes of replies and that's what
(07:57):
you want.
That's connection.
That's community building.
It's not just visibility, it'snot just growth.
It's community building, so howto start even if your life feels
boring.
Okay, so I just reviewed whyit's important and I think I've
hit that home pretty well.
Why storytelling works.
How to start, even if you feellike your life is boring.
(08:18):
Do what I said I did in thebeginning.
Yeah.
I don't do it anymore and Icould, I could bring it back
easily.
But I just, I'm sort of to thepoint where I don't necessarily
need to, and I'm reallystorytelling and nurturing my
audience in places other than myfeed.
So what I told you in thebeginning is when I first
started, and for the first threeyears of my business, every
Wednesday was just a simplephoto of me with a story in the
(08:40):
caption.
Something relatable, somethingthat didn't always have to do
with business.
Sometimes it did, but a lot oftimes it didn't.
And it would be something like.
One of my most commented wasthree truths and one Lie where I
literally shared three truethings about me, and there was a
lie in there.
And my audience had to pickwhich one was the lie that let
(09:02):
my audience get to know thingsabout me, but they, they didn't
maybe know before.
Like I attended three colleges.
Uh, my grandfather invented theTV dinner.
Gosh, I forget the other trueones that I, I did, but, and
then I threw a lie in there.
If you don't know what to say,ask Chacha.
Bt go to Chacha bt and say,these are three truths I wanna
tell my audience.
Can you come up, help me come upwith some good lies that I could
(09:24):
include?
Right?
I talk about my recipe.
Skew dog blitz.
He's a pit bull.
He's completely neurotic, but Ilove him and he's my shadow and
people can relate to that.
And I talk about how my daughteris very anxious and how, you
know, she struggles with goingto bed at night.
I can't even tell you the amountof feedback I got from that.
Post.
(09:44):
That was actually a story, justpeople being like, try this, try
this.
Have you tried this?
And it was really helpful.
Okay, so why does this work?
Because it's the stuff thatpeople feel connected to and
maybe they just don't say outloud, but they instantly
recognize it.
Right?
It doesn't have to be profound.
It doesn't have to be anythinglike earth shadowing.
(10:07):
You just need to be specific andhonest with your audience.
So here's a really simpleframework to start with.
This happened and here's what itreminded me of, or if there's
any way for you to pull youraudience in.
This happened.
What would you guys do?
What would you try?
What has worked for you?
(10:28):
The second your audience feelsneeded and important and valued,
they're gonna chime in, trustme.
Okay, so examples Again, I'vehad thermostat wars with my
husband before.
I've had dishwasher wars,anything husband related gets a
lot of replies.
Anything kid related gets a lotof replies.
(10:49):
Anything about my rescue doggets a lot of replies.
Anything about just like homestuff in general.
And again, here's what itreminded me of.
Like we all have ways of doingcertain things and you can
relate it back to your businessif you want.
Like my dishwasher drama with myhusband, he thinks, I dunno how
to load it.
Here's what it reminded me of.
We all have our own way of doingthings.
(11:11):
And business is no different.
So you can tie it back tobusiness if you want, if that
feels more legit to you.
And sometimes I'm not lying.
I go into chat, GBT, I say, I'mthinking of sharing this story,
and I wanna relate it back tobeing a business owner.
What, what ideas do you have forme?
And if my brain just doesn'tmake those connections, which it
often doesn't, okay.
(11:32):
But now it's relatable, it'shelpful, and it sticks.
So how do I do this in my owncontent?
There isn't a perfect mapped outcontent calendar strategy for
me.
Honestly.
I really do follow my intuition.
I do a lot of this in mystories.
I do a lot of this on mypodcast.
I do a lot of this in the introto my newsletter that I send
(11:53):
every week, but sometimes I wakeup and think, let's talk about
Canva and how to make yourcontent look like this, you
know, big brand with a littletiny effort.
And other days I'm like.
I just need to tell you whathappened to me today.
And it's messy and maybe you canrelate, right?
And I do both in my stories, noquestion.
(12:15):
I'm, I'm teaching sometimes, andother times I'm just like, you
guys aren't gonna believe whathappened.
So how do I make this feelreally natural?
I don't have coworkers anymore.
And honest to God, if you're oneof my past coworkers, you know.
I, I've stayed in touch with allmy past coworkers, the ones that
I made relationships with.
I, I adore them.
I, I got involved in theirlives.
(12:36):
I knew their lives.
I knew their kids.
I knew their dynamics with theirhusbands.
I, I knew their job struggles.
Like we would talk every morningbefore the big boss came in.
We would sit with our coffee andwe would chat and we would tell
stories.
What happened last night?
You're not gonna believe this.
Oh, have you guys tried this newmakeup product?
(12:57):
You're gonna love it.
I'm loving it.
Like those daily little gems ofstories or information that make
you relatable.
So I honest to God, sit and Ipretend.
What would I say to my coworkersthis morning if, you know, if
they were sitting here next tome and that helps me so much.
It's just that honest, relaxedcoffee breath conversation
(13:20):
before the boss comes in.
Okay.
And that tone builds so muchtrust with your audience.
It's not like, come look at me.
It's more like, come sit withme, come hang out, let's have a
conversation.
And honestly, one of the bestcompliments I get in my dms is
like.
When you're talking, I feel likeI'm sitting across from you
having coffee, and I'm like,that's phenomenal.
(13:43):
That's the energy that I want inmy business.
I want you to feel like youcould be my friend in real life.
So in my audience, in thecontent coven.
Everywhere I hang out.
That's really how I attractpeople who don't just follow me.
They stay and they end up buyingbecause there is this
relatability factor.
(14:04):
Okay, so I just actually wannareview with you some of my most
replied most viewed stories.
I looked up my most viewedstories in the last three
months, and let me just runthrough what they are real
quick.
Top 180 500 views.
It is me walking to my car, notlooking, the camera's not
(14:25):
looking at me, the camera'slooking out at my car, and my
son is inside playing therecorder.
And in third grade, you startplaying the recorder where I
live.
And he was playing it nonstop,in fact.
To the point that we were goingsomewhere in the car and he
brought it in the car and I waslike, I'm going to be noise
canceling headphones.
So relatable.
(14:46):
Anyone who has a kid who everhad the recorder like fully
agreed.
Okay, next one.
It's me sitting at my son'ssoccer game again, not the
camera looking at me.
In fact, none of these are thecamera looking at me talking.
It's all me facing out or reelsthat I shared.
This one, my daughter isdecorating my medical shoe with
dandelions because I hadrecently had surgery on my foot.
(15:09):
Don't even ask me why that's themost viewed.
The next one is a reel that Ishared.
So a really great way to startout doing this is by finding
reels that make you laugh, thatfeel so relatable and just are
funny.
So this one is somebody tryingto put a duvet cover on.
And it makes me laugh justlooking at it.
They got completely stuck insideof it and someone's videoing
(15:31):
laughing so hard and it justmade me cackle and I was like,
my audience is gonna think thisis funny.
Fourth one with 4,500 views isme a picture of my kids visiting
my grandparents' grave.
My grandparents were like themost important people in my
entire world.
They both passed away.
I took my kids to finally seetheir grave.
And I don't know, that's, Iguess just, you know, that human
(15:52):
connection life, death kids.
Um, the next one is, oh, a funnyreel that somebody posted about
dishwasher loading literally2,400 views.
Uh, the next one's actually mydaughter's birthday.
I just, it's a picture of herwith a cake in front of her with
candles.
Happy birthday to my sweet8-year-old girl.
Lots of views.
I don't know.
(16:12):
Relatable.
The next one, which is theseventh highest in the last
three months is what emailsubject line would you click if
you got this email in yourinbox, like which subject?
And people, again, you feelvaluable.
I'm asking you for your opinion.
I'm going to use what youselect.
People love that.
Next one, a reel that I sharedabout somebody like replying to
(16:34):
dms.
Like I'm screaming, I'mliterally crying.
I'm dead.
Like can't breathe.
And it's actually a picture ofthis guy just like looking at
his phone with like a smirk andit says mean reality, which just
made me laugh because it's kindof me.
I'm like, oh my God.
It's funniest thing I've seenall day and I like actually
didn't laugh.
But anyways.
And then the last one is me andmy kids at a lacrosse tournament
(16:55):
like.
I don't know.
So do you see the theme here?
It's literally like reels thatmade me laugh.
That help share my sense ofhumor.
And if you relate, you're gonnalaugh at it too.
Or if you have a similarpersonality or you have a
similar sense of humor, you'regonna laugh.
And then it's.
Funny, personal kid stuff like,and listen, I'm not saying you
(17:15):
have to show your kids if youdon't wanna share your kids,
that's fine.
I always ask my kids before Ishare anything online, do you
mind if I share this?
My daughter's typically allabout it.
My son doesn't love it, so Idon't share him a lot.
He doesn not wanna be on video.
He's too shy and I don't care.
I'm not gonna make him do it.
Reese, on the other hand, mydaughter, she kind of likes the
limelight, so.
(17:36):
She doesn't mind, but she'sgotta prove it first.
Like I will always show her thisis what it looks like.
Is that okay?
So my kids are old enough.
They're eight and nine now.
Had to think about that.
They just had birthdays so theycan say yay or nay.
All right, so here's what breaksthe trust post in like a robot.
Showing up like you're alwayson.
(17:56):
Like that's just not real.
It's such a turnoff to me.
I'm not gonna throw some bignames out there that show up
like this, but it's a littlenauseating to me, and you
probably know who I'm talkingabout.
But just always, hi.
Like, like chill, chill.
Be normal.
Be real.
Like I cannot relate to that,like over the top energy.
I want out asap.
(18:17):
And last thing, hiding yourhumanness because you think it's
unprofessional, it's not.
If you are a solopreneur,building a personal brand, that
human side of you is what isgonna get people to relate and
connect and feel that trustbetween you and somebody else
who doesn't do this, right?
So what are your next steps?
(18:39):
Simple, simple homework.
This week I want you to share astory that feels small but
honest.
Use this prompt.
This happened today.
It reminded me that, or thishappened today.
What would you do?
And tie it into something youknow, your audience would feel
as well.
Don't overthink it.
Don't polish it.
Just share it.
(18:59):
And if you're thinking, is thisactually gonna work?
Let me just say this.
The reason people feel like I'mtheir bestie isn't'cause I post
daily canid tips.
Okay?
It's'cause I show up like ahuman.
I tell the truth and I say thequiet parts out loud and you can
do the same.
And when you do, people aregonna feel it.
So do me a favor.
(19:21):
Post something this week in yourfeed or hop in your stories and
share a true story and letpeople feel that human side of
you.
You don't need more hooks, youjust need honesty.
All right, give it a shot.
Let me know how it goes, and Iwill see you on the next
episode.
(19:43):
Thanks so much for hanging outwith me on the Creative Bodega
Podcast.
If you love this episode, pleasebe sure to share it with a
fellow solopreneur.
Who could use a little contentcreation inspiration.
And hey, don't forget to checkout the show notes for any
resources I mentioned on theepisode to help you create
content that feels easy andactually gets you results.
(20:04):
If you want even more Canva andcontent tips, head over to my
website, the creativebodega.com, or find me on
Instagram under the same name.
Until next time, keep creating,keep showing up, and most
importantly, try and have alittle fun with your content.
I'll see you on the nextepisode.
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