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You’ve probably heard the advice “share your story” a thousand times. But if you’re anything like me, your practical brain immediately chimes in with:
But what story? Does anyone even care? Can I just get to the point already?
Friend, I feel you.
But when you skip the story, you skip the connection… and connection is everything when it comes to marketing that actually converts.
So I sat down with TEDx speaker and storytelling coach Trang Nova to chat about all things stories, selling, and how to go from “content that falls flat” to “OMG I feel like she’s in my head.”
Why Storytelling Matters More Than Ever
With AI content, constant noise, and so many how-to posts… people are craving one thing: realness.
Stories cut through the scroll.
They make you relatable.
They show your audience you’ve been there.
And most importantly, they stick. No one remembers a stat.
But when Trang talks about a a snail she stepped on that made her rethink her whole career? We’re all ears.
Trang’s 3-Part Formula for Stories That Stick
If you’ve ever thought “I’m not a natural storyteller,” good news! It’s not about being theatrical. It’s about structure.
Here’s Trang’s signature formula:
1. Start with the 5 W’s
Who was involved?
What happened?
Where did it take place?
When was it?
Why did it matter?
2. Layer in the 5 Senses
What did you hear?
See?
Smell?
Feel?
Taste?
Bring us into the situation… the more specific, the better.
3. Use Dialogue
What was said?
Thought?
Yelled across the room?
Dialogue adds emotion and immediacy, like you’re eavesdropping on someone’s real life.
Bonus: One more spice to sprinkle on top?
Tension. Build anticipation. Let people wonder “what happens next?”
How to Trim Your Story (Without Losing the Good Stuff)
Worried your story’s too long? Don’t stress.
Trang recommends starting with the full version. Record 3–4 minutes of voice note, ramble, or journal.
THEN:
- Highlight your turning point (the moment of change)
- Cut everything that doesn’t lead to that shift
- Keep the emotion, it’s what hooks people
If it doesn’t move the story forward, it’s fluff.
Where can you use these stories?
So where do these magic little moments actually go?
- Your emails (especially the opening!)
- Instagram Reels + captions
- Website About page
- Your podcast intros
- Networking conversations
- Sales pages (yes, even here!)
Basically, anywhere your audience needs to trust you.
Don’t Wait for Inspiration: Build a Story Bank
Want to show up consistently without racking your brain every time you need a hook? Time to start a story bank:
- Brainstorm categories: Work wins, fails, travel, motherhood, awkward moments
- Create a year-by-year timeline: One moment per year
- Ask friends: “What stories do you always remember about me?”
Once you’ve got 10–20 mini stories ready, pulling one out for your next email or IG caption is EASY.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re building a personal brand, writing sales pages, or just want to sound less robotic in your captions, storytelling is your golden ticket to real connection.
You’ve got stories. Now let’s make them sell.
ABOUT TRANG:
Trang Nova is a speaking coach for entrepreneurs who want to speak with confident authority so they can be recognised as visible leaders in their businesses and on stages. Through Trang’s lifelong journey from being a withdrawn introvert to now being featured on global platforms like TEDx and Medium, she realised that speaking is a skill that can be mastered by anyone, not just those to whom it comes naturally. So now, she is on a mission to help others harness the power of their voice. Trang believes that when more visionaries speak up, then more leaders will successfully fulfil their potential and lead powerful movements to make this world better for us all and future generations. When she’s not on stage or coaching others, you’ll probably find her hiking on a mountain somewhere, giving her dogs forced cuddles, or stuffing her face with ice cream!
CONNECT WITH TRANG:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trang_nova/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trang-nova-a887aba0/
Website: https://www.trangnova.com
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/60IpvCPgc4amSdwhcatUpm?si=6ae13a26e03f4f37
Email: trang@trangnova.com
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// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb
// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub
// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio
