I’ve never been a huge fan of ads. Most of the time, they feel like noise—just one more thing competing for attention in a world already saturated with too much information. It’s rare for an ad to truly captivate me these days. I’ve become somewhat jaded, almost immune to the constant bombardment.
But there was one time that an ad broke through that wall of indifference.
It was a story video, and despite knowing it was technically an ad, I found myself deeply moved by it. This wasn’t the typical flashy or salesy pitch; it felt like a real narrative, that ultimately compelled me to attend a healer’s virtual event. As I watched, his story began to resonate with me in unexpected ways.
In the video, he shared how he had gifts as a child—intuitive abilities, a natural inclination for healing—that he hid away due to societal expectations and pressures. Over time, the weight of hiding his true self led to internal struggle, which eventually manifested as physical and emotional disease. His healing journey was about more than overcoming that illness; it was a journey of self-discovery. As he healed, he began to uncover and embrace the tools that had been there all along. And from that healing process, he built a community around those tools, creating a space for others to find similar support and growth.
What struck me was how he shared his story in such a genuine way. He showed not just the “after” of his success but the full transformation—the before and after, the lows as well as the highs. Watching him recount his journey felt like a mirror to my own experiences, like he was giving voice to a part of my story too. It was the first time I’d seen an ad that wasn’t just selling a product or experience; it was creating a connection. And for the first time, I realized that ads could actually work in this way—through authentic storytelling, by tapping into shared experiences and human emotions.
That ad changed the way I viewed marketing and inspired me to think about how powerful storytelling could be as a tool to attract people to your movement.
And then I understood why some people are so effective at gathering hundreds or even thousands of attendees for their events.
It’s because of how well they can tell a story that resonates, a story that makes people see themselves in it, that compels them to take action because they feel genuinely seen.
So here are three strategies you can embed with authentic storytelling to naturally attract your tribe
1. Let’s start with the one we have already discussed: leverage ads with authentic storytelling
Lisa Bloom, Founder of Story Coach, exemplifies the art of using storytelling as a tool for communication and connection. In her ads, she often shares personal anecdotes or client transformations that align with her message of empowerment through storytelling. This strategy naturally attracts clients because the ads feel more like relatable, inspiring narratives.
Storytelling that evokes emotions like hope, inspiration, joy, or even vulnerability can forge a deeper connection with your audience. For example, an ad might describe the anticipation of making meaningful connections, overcoming challenges, or achieving goals in a supportive community.
2. Find aligned partners to promote your offers
Finding aligned joint venture partners is a powerful way to create synergies, amplify your impact and achieve shared success. The most effective partnerships arise when both parties can effectively communicate their expertise and story with each other AND share complementary goals, values, and audiences. You can create joint events, joint programs and courses, affiliate partnerships or offer a service to your partner’s audience that you have expertise in. There are an infinite number of ways to collaborate if we are creative enough.
Sohail Khan, a renowned expert on Joint Ventures, shares his compelling journey of resilience during the 2008 recession, when he lost a significant portion of his business. Determined to rebuild, he set himself an ambitious challenge in 2009: to generate a million dollars through Joint Ventures. Drawing inspiration from Jay Abraham's book Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got, Sohail collaborated with publishing companies, helping authors upsell their books into video training courses. His story highlights the power of innovative thinking in the face of adversity and he uses the story to both attract new partners and new clients to his programs.
3. Speak to funnel into your event
One of the best ways to build an audience is to borrow from other people’s audiences. Speaking at someone else’s virtual summit, podcast, or live session allows you to share your expertise and connect with a new set of people where you can then share more about your movement.
Public Speaking Coach Suzanne Evans has developed a powerful strategy to grow her audience and drive registrations for her signature event, Captivate, which consistently attracts over 700 attendees. By speaking at approximately 48+ virtual and in-person events each year, she creates meaningful connections and delivers insights that resonate with her audience. Her approach centers on empathy and problem-solving, positioning her as a trusted authority.
While replicating her frequency of appearances might not be feasible for everyone, the essence of her success lies in the strategy behind her talks. Each appearance is purposefully designed to address her audience's challenges and inspire action, funneling them toward Captivate. With the right messaging, even a handful of targeted speaking engagements can have a significant impact on driving registrations for your own events.
Your Action Steps:
Reflect on your personal journey or the core purpose behind your movement - what transformation or insight inspired you to start it?
Create content (in whatever format you like best) that authentically tells this story, highlighting both the challenges and the breakthroughs.
Identify and reach out to a few businesses who align with your values and message. Explore the possibility of a partnership. It could be as simple as them sending an email to their list or sharing a post on social media. Provide them with storytelling content they can share.
If you have the budget, consider investing in a compelling video. Start thinking about a part of your journey (that you can share) that people can relate to—something real, something heartfelt. Your story might be the reason someone decides to follow and engage with you.
Look for opportunities to speak at aligned events or podcasts that share a similar audience to yours. This is a chance to give value, share your story, and invite people into your own space.
PS: You don’t have to do all of the above. Pick and choose what you have capacity for. Most importantly, don’t get hung up on the numbers…
It’s easy to get caught up in the metrics—how many people registered, how many views your video got, how many clicks your ad received. But remember, what truly matters is the connection you’re creating. Make sure what you’re sharing comes from the heart, and trust that the right people will be receptive to it.
That said, there’s no harm in amplifying your message with these strategies. By combining authenticity with smart marketing —you’re inviting people into a shared journey, and that’s where the magic happens.
"When we share our true stories, we don't just market our offers—we invite others into a journey where they feel seen, heard, and understood."
Special Announcement: We Are Looking For Dynamic Speakers For Build Your Influence Ecosystem
This spring, we’re bringing to life a spectacular summit, virtual retreat, and transformational experience designed to empower leaders, visionaries, and change-makers like YOU.
If you have expertise, passion, and insight to share, we’re looking for exceptional speakers to join us on this journey!
We’re curating a very intentional lineup of speakers to share transformative insights on these core topics:
Launching Movements
Purposeful Brand Building
Speaking with Impact
Collaborations that Convert
Creating a Legacy
and more…
Please reply or email support@multidleaders.org with your basic info - website/social profiles if you are interested or know someone who would be a good fit. Our process is to do an energetic connection call prior to any application.
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