Your storytelling clashes with the company's brand messaging. How do you navigate this delicate balance?

1 Understand Brand

Understanding the company's brand messaging is crucial. It's the narrative framework that defines the company's values, voice, and vision. Before weaving your personal stories into this tapestry, you must grasp the threads of this framework intimately. Study the brand guidelines, analyze the tone of previous communications, and observe how the brand interacts with its audience. This foundational knowledge will help you craft stories that complement rather than clash with the company's messaging.

2 Assess Fit

Before sharing a story, assess how well it fits with the brand's messaging. Consider whether your narrative supports the company's values and goals. Does it enhance the brand's image or could it potentially dilute it? It's important to be honest with yourself about the alignment between your story and the brand's messaging. If there's a disconnect, it may be best to reframe your story or save it for a different platform where it's more appropriate.

3 Bridge Gaps

When you identify gaps between your story and the company's messaging, it's time to bridge them creatively. Find common ground where your personal experiences intersect with the brand's values. Perhaps your story exemplifies customer service excellence or innovation, which are core aspects of the company's identity. By focusing on these shared values, you can tell a story that is both personal and on-brand.

4 Seek Feedback

It's wise to seek feedback before finalizing your story. Colleagues or supervisors who understand the brand well can offer insights into how your story might be perceived. They can help you refine the narrative to ensure it aligns with the brand's messaging. Constructive criticism is invaluable; it can turn a potentially conflicting story into one that strengthens the brand's message.

5 Adjust Tone

The tone of your story can make a significant difference. Even if the content aligns with the brand's messaging, a mismatch in tone can create dissonance. Pay attention to language, style, and emotional undertones. Adjusting your storytelling tone to match the brand's can transform a clashing narrative into a harmonious one that resonates with both the company and its audience.

6 Integrate Carefully

Finally, integrate your story carefully into the company's communications. Consider the context in which your story will be shared. Is it a social media post, a blog article, or an internal newsletter? The platform dictates the storytelling approach. Ensure that your narrative is woven seamlessly into the fabric of the company's messaging, enhancing rather than overshadowing the brand's established voice.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?