If you’re a speaker, author, coach, or someone who wants to make an impact with your story, you need a way to turn your “I can’t believe this happened to me” moments into messages that resonate with people.
You need a story with a universal undertone. One that moves your audience into action and connects emotionally with the people you’re meant to serve.
If you’re wondering how to tell a story like that, keep reading because I’ve got six tips to help you craft messages that make an impact.
A quick note: This topic was inspired by my friend, Damon West. Damon’s story is truly remarkable—he went from being a college athlete to working at a major investment bank to battling a meth addiction to being sentenced to life in prison, and then finding redemption through parole, motivational speaking, and writing bestselling books.
1. Identify Your “SWAT Team” Stories
The first step in creating a story with resonance is to identify your “SWAT team” stories. Damon’s is very literal—a SWAT team raided a meth house where he was. This marked a major turning point in his life.
We all have our own versions of these intense, pivotal moments. Maybe it’s a breakup that changed everything, a job loss that shifted your perspective, or a decision that rerouted the course of your life.
Ask yourself: What’s the moment that stopped me in my tracks? The moment when everything changed. Those are your SWAT team stories. These are the experiences that make people stop and go, “Wait, what? That happened to you!?”
Once you identify these moments, think about the takeaway. What’s the point of the story? What lesson did you learn that might resonate universally? Sharing the lesson within your SWAT team story is what transforms it from “just your story” to something powerful for everyone.
At Brand Builders Group we say: Tell a Story, Make a Point. The story might be about you, but the point is about them—the audience.
2. Know Your Signature Stories
Once you start speaking, writing, or sharing your message, you’ll build up a whole library of stories. But no matter how many stories you have, there are usually one or two that stand out as signature stories—the ones that show up in almost every talk, interview, and piece of content you create. These stories are powerful because they capture something essential about who you are and what you stand for.
Think of your signature stories as the greatest hits of your life. They’re memorable, impactful, and most importantly, meaningful to you. They don’t change no matter the audience. They’re part of your core message, and you’ll bring them out whether you’re speaking to one person or a thousand.
Take some time to figure out what these stories are for you. What are the moments you feel compelled to share over and over again because they changed you? These are your signature stories.
3. Tailor Your Presentation, Not Your Message
One of the biggest challenges in storytelling is making it feel personal and relevant to each audience without changing the core of your message. Audiences love to feel like something was crafted just for them, and you can do this without rewriting your story every time.
Here are some quick ways to do this:
- Customize the opening and closing to connect with the specific audience.
- Incorporate local or industry-specific references to make the story feel relevant.
- Adapt your jokes, examples, or stats to fit the context—this could be based on location, time of day, or the industry you’re speaking to.
For example, if you’re speaking in Las Vegas, you might have a go-to joke about the city. Or if you’re presenting to a corporate audience, you might add some relevant industry stats. Tailoring these elements makes your story feel unique to each group even though the message stays the same.
When people say, “I love that you customized this for us,” what they’re really saying is, “I love that this felt personal.” But at the end of the day, what they want is an impactful message—one that resonates and sticks with them. Stick with the stories that work, but learn how to make your presentation feel fresh for each audience.
4. Choose Faith Over Fear When Thinking About the Future
When I was chatting with Damon, he told me this: “There are only two ways to think about the future: with fear or with faith.” Both of these are beliefs about something that hasn’t happened yet, but one is rooted in worry and negativity, while the other is based on trust and optimism.
We all have a choice in how we approach the unknown. Are we going to let fear dictate our actions, or are we going to lean into faith—faith in ourselves, in our work, and in what’s possible? Fear is imagining all the things that could go wrong. Faith is holding onto the possibility that things could go right. Both are beliefs about an uncertain future, but only one of them will keep you moving forward.
5. Remember That You’re Capable of Overcoming More Than You Think
You are far more capable of overcoming challenges than you might think. When we’re in the middle of a difficult situation, it’s easy to doubt ourselves. We think, I can’t do this. But when we push through, we look back and realize just how resilient we are.
Whatever you’re going through right now, know that you’re capable. You’ve overcome hard things before, and you can do it again. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of our own strength. You have what it takes.
6. Consistency Changes You
Damon shared that the real secret to his personal growth and mindset isn’t any grand philosophy, it’s consistency. Showing up every day, making small but positive choices, and being disciplined even when it’s hard. Because success doesn’t come from one big decision; it comes from hundreds of small, daily decisions to stay on track. Consistency isn’t glamorous, but it’s powerful.
Share Your Stories—They Matter More Than You Think
Your life is full of stories that can inspire others…even the hard ones. No, especially the hard ones. The challenges we go through often become the most impactful stories we have to share. So don’t be afraid to tell your story. Someone out there needs to hear it.
If you’re looking for help in crafting your story and turning it into a powerful message, schedule a Free Brand Call with Brand Builders Group. We specialize in helping people find their signature stories and learn how to share them in ways that resonate deeply with others. There’s an art to storytelling, but there’s also a system—and we’d love to help you with both.
