86: People Buy People: Why Storytelling Belongs in Your Instagram Strategy
People buy people, not products.
That’s why your story isn’t just a “nice to have”; it’s the heartbeat of your visibility strategy.
Today you’ll learn the art and strategy of storytelling, how to share your truth in a way that connects, inspires, and builds trust on Instagram. I even take you behind the scenes of my own story—my life as an actual showgirl (yes, with feathers and rhinestones!) — and what it taught me about visibility, perfectionism, and finding confidence in authenticity.
If you’ve ever wondered how to share stories that truly connect with your audience, not just sell to them, this episode is your guide.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
[01:21] Why your story, not your content calendar, makes your brand magnetic
[03:13] My past life as a professional showgirl and how it shaped my visibility journey
[05:06] The hidden struggles behind “living the dream” and how perfectionism shows up in business
[07:28] Why storytelling is the heartbeat of an effective Instagram strategy
[08:54] The real currency of social media (and it’s not likes or followers)
[10:22] My simple three-part storytelling framework: setup, shift, and takeaway
[12:46] How to turn your vulnerability into connection without oversharing
[14:39] How to use AI and the CRIT Framework to craft emotional, relatable stories
[16:05] This week’s Emotional Storytelling Challenge—share one story that connects
[17:33] How to tag me in your storytelling post so I can cheer you on
Key Takeaways:
Your story is the most powerful part of your brand—it’s what builds trust.
Social media is about connection, not perfection.
The three-step storytelling framework (Setup → Shift → Takeaway) turns your experiences into magnetic content.
You can’t outsource your story; it’s your magic.
Authentic storytelling helps your audience feel seen, understood, and inspired to take action.
Tools like ChatGPT and the CRIT Framework can help you clarify and refine your story ideas faster.
This Week’s Challenge
I’m calling this the Emotional Storytelling Challenge.
Create one piece of content. A Reel, carousel, or post, where your only goal is connection. Don’t try to sell or promote. Just share a real piece of who you are or why you do this work. Then tag me @elizabethmarberry. I’d love to see it and cheer you on.
Links Mentioned:
Free Resource: Monetize Your IG Guide. Learn seven simple, proven ways to finally make money on Instagram.
A Truth You Need to Hear:
“Your story is the one thing no one else can copy. You can’t outsource it. It’s your power on social media.”
S3 Ep86 Transcript: People Buy People: Why Storytelling Belongs in Your Instagram Strategy
00:00
People buy people, that's why your story matters. Authentic storytelling isn't just a feel good exercise, it's a critical part of an effective Instagram and social media marketing strategy. In this episode, I'm gonna break down exactly why storytelling is the most powerful way to build connection and trust on Instagram and how to use it strategically inside your brand content.
00:30
So if you've ever wondered how to share stories that actually build your business, this episode is your guide. Are you ready? Let's go.
00:42
Welcome to Strut It, a podcast about creating bold visibility on social media with zero apologies. I'm Elizabeth Marberry, your host and Instagram marketing coach. I help small business owners get seen on Instagram and monetize their offers so they can make more money doing their sole led work. If you're tired of spinning your wheels on Instagram and you're seeking simple, proven Instagram marketing strategies that actually work, you're in the right place.
01:11
Let's dive in.
01:21
Welcome back to the show. I'm thrilled as always that you have joined me today for another episode of Strut It. If you've been following the show, you know that we just wrapped up an epic five-part series on how to leverage AI and chat GBT to really make your Instagram marketing so much easier and more effective. Today we are switching gears because no matter how smart your strategy is or how
01:50
while you are leveraging AI and Chad GPT to support you as a strategic thought partner. The thing that truly makes your brand magnetic isn't your content calendar, it's your story. Your story is what builds trust. And we know that people buy other people, right? I'm sure you've heard in the marketing world, people buy from people they know like...
02:19
and trust. And that is why social media and Instagram is such an opportunity for us, right? Because your content can build that trust. It creates connection and it reminds people that there's a real human or team behind the business or a mission or a value system. So today I'm gonna pull back the curtain on a little story I shared this week.
02:45
that started under the spotlight in full sequence on a cruise ship in the early 2000s. That's right, I'm gonna take you way back. And I was reminded of the power of authentic storytelling this week on Instagram when I did a post titled, My Life as an Actual Showgirl. And if you follow me on Instagram, you know that reels are my jam. Reels are definitely what I always recommend to my clients and listeners to really focus on.
03:13
But carousels are definitely having their moment on Instagram right now. And I love the idea of leveraging carousels for storytelling. So if you've been anywhere near the internet lately, you've probably heard that Taylor Swift recently dropped her newest album, The Life of a Showgirl. And her music, all of those songs from that album are trending big time. So if you haven't already and you want to use those songs in your content, go for it.
03:42
When I was seeing this trend, I thought to myself, how can I leverage this storyline of Taylor Swift releasing her album, The Life of a Showgirl? How can I connect that to my business and my brand? And I thought, wait a second, I actually was a showgirl. So back in the early 2000s, I danced professionally on cruise ships. We're talking feathers, rhinestones.
04:11
million-dollar theater lights, like the theater was so pimped out, it was a multi-million-dollar theater. Bob Mackie designed our costumes, which if you're wondering who the heck I'm talking about, Bob Mackie designed all of Cher's costumes. So we're talking next level. And the whole thing looked so glamorous, and people would say to me, oh my gosh, you are living the dream. And in many ways, I was. At that point in my life,
04:37
my main goal was to be a professional dancer and make a living as a dancer. I grew up as a competitive dancer. I went to college in New York City and studied dance. I danced in lots of different companies, traveled around the world, and so I was really living the dream. But what they didn't see was what was happening behind the scenes. The exhaustion, the constant travel, the homesickness, the pressure to look a certain way, to literally
05:06
fit into a costume or I would lose my job. So I had to stay small and stay perfect if I wanted to keep my job. And at that point in my life, I was still grieving the sudden loss of my father that he had passed away several years before I got that gig. And I was really homesick. I was struggling with disordered eating at the time and an unhealthy obsession with control and exercise and food.
05:32
As I reflect now back on it, I was struggling with being enough. I was always needing to prove myself. And so on stage I was sparkling and then off stage there was a lot of inner turmoil happening, which is very common when you're in your early 20s as well. I'm sure everyone listening can relate. And so as I was thinking about this story of my life, I was thinking about how this story could connect into what I teach.
06:02
today, which is helping business owners and brands and creatives show up online and be visible. How vulnerable it is to actually be seen and how if you're not careful, social media can really activate all of those wounds that you hold within your heart, right? Of, well, am I good enough? Am I smart enough? Am I advanced enough? You you post your content, literally no one likes it and you have proof. Look.
06:32
I'm not good enough, right? So that's a lot of the deep inner work that I do with my clients. Do we work on the actual tactical strategies and next steps? Of course we do. But this piece is a huge piece of the work I do. And so I was thinking, okay, wow, I could tell this story on my Instagram page. And it really resonated with my audience. And it was a powerful reminder that your content...
07:00
doesn't need to and shouldn't all be promotional, right? When I say promotional, mean, grab my freebie, listen to my podcast, click the link to shop, join the wait list, right? Like any kind of call to action, which of course we absolutely need to have, we are here to make money. And an effective social media marketing strategy weaves in that authentic storytelling piece. And here's why that matters.
07:28
and why it's really the heartbeat of your brand messaging on Instagram. When you tell a story, an honest, emotional, human, relatable story, you give your audience something to connect with. And connection is the currency of social media. It is literally in the name, social media, social, get social, right? Not likes, not views, not followers, connection.
07:57
There are people behind the follows. There are people behind the views. Those all matter, but connection, truly, that's why people come on social media is to activate and fill that sense of connection and belonging. And they wanna feel seen, heard, and helped, right? So as a marketer, you get to be highly empathetic to your ideal client or customer. That's part of you knowing them, right? You know exactly.
08:25
what they're struggling with and you create content to highlight it so they feel seen and then you offer a solution. Because when someone sees themselves in your story, you know what happens? They start to trust you and that trust becomes the foundation for your community and eventually your sales. Because remember, people buy people, not products or services. So your story is your it fact.
08:54
It's the one thing no one else can copy. I'm gonna say that again. It's the one thing no one else can copy. That's why I tell my clients all the time, you can't outsource your story. You can get help with your strategy or caption, sure, but your story, that's sacred, that's yours and you own that. And that is your power on social media, your unique lived experience, your unique perspective, your unique
09:23
expression. So instead of chasing the trends this week or worrying about the algorithm, I want you to focus on this one thing. Tell one story that lets your audience see you. And if you're listening to this and you're like, okay, I'm not building a personal brand. I'm managing an account for someone. I'm on a marketing team. I get a lot of questions in the DMs like, well, how does this apply to me? Every business or brand has a story.
09:53
There's a why, there's a mission, there's a value system. If your product or service is for every single human on the planet, you're probably not making a lot of money, right? You need to be really clear on who it's for and why this company exists. And what is the deeper meaning? What is the story? One of my clients owns a kombucha company, and I remember reading his about page, and the part that really stood out to me is he said,
10:22
him and his wife started it in his basement. I mean, just that simple little hook right there could be, I had an idea for a kombucha company. It started off in my basement and I had a hundred dollars in my bank account. Like, wouldn't you want to read that story? Like it's interesting, right? Versus, hey, come buy my kombucha. So here is a really simple framework of how to tell your story. Number one, the setup, which includes the hook and context, right?
10:52
So you start with a moment or a scene that grabs attention and really paints the picture and brings us into the story. So with my showgirl example, the hook on the first slide says, my life as an actual showgirl. The next slide says, it was my dream job, a multi-million dollar theater, Broadway worthy shows I love performing in, Bob Mackie designed costumes, I'd made it.
11:19
The next slide reads, when they called to offer me the job, I was elated. Hundreds of dancers had auditioned in New York City. I had been rejected hundreds of times before. This time, I finally heard yes. The hook was my life as an actual showgirl, and now I'm giving context, right? And then here's the second part of the story, which is the shift. And the shift is when you present the contrast or the revelation. So you pull back the curtain.
11:49
actually happening behind the scenes. So I said, I'll never forget when the producer said, we're so excited to have you, but we'll need you to lose an inch from your waist before rehearsals. Yes, this actually happened to me. I was still grieving the recent tragic loss of my dad, homesick, exhausted, and at war with my body, trapped and disordered, eating an obsession with control. Now here is that contrast that I was just saying. On stage, I sparkled.
12:17
offstage, was yearning to fill a hole I thought achievement could fix. Now, here is the third and final part of telling a story, the takeaway, which is where you share a reflection or invitation, share what you learned and invite your audience to reflect to invite them into the conversation. So I said, it took me years to realize I was performing for approval.
12:46
shrinking myself to be seen, chasing validation that I was good enough. And now there's the transition here into my work. Now I mentor small business owners and creatives to show up, not perform, to be visible and confident on Instagram, because you don't have to shrink to shine. You don't have to do it like everyone else. Visibility isn't the same as confidence. One is about being seen.
13:14
The other is about being connected to yourself. And then really the takeaway here, creating content has become a mirror, a way to deepen my connection to myself and honor every version of who I've been. Now on the last and final slide, I have what I've taught you my beloved listener so many times, and that is a call to action. But guess what? This one is not promotional, this one.
13:43
I'm inviting them into the conversation with me. This is what's on the slide. What stories have shaped you into who you are today? This is your reminder to share them because that's how you build a business from a place of true authentic connection on Instagram. So do you see how I told you my story? I brought you in. I'm sure everybody can relate to that. You don't have to be a show girl to relate to that story, do you?
14:11
and I connected it into my business and brand, and I invited them in. That's it. The setup, where you include your hook and context. Second step is the shift, where we provide contrast and revelation, where you pull back the curtain, like what was really happening behind the scenes? And number three is the takeaway. Reflection, like what did you learn? And what is the invitation?
14:39
This format works beautifully for your reels or for your Instagram carousels. You could do this in stories. And if you have been listening to the podcast, you know how to leverage ChatGBT, you could plug your story idea into ChatGBT or whatever AI tool you're using, Gemini, and use the CRIT framework, Context, Role, Interview, Task. And if you're like, what the heck is she talking about?
15:07
Go back to last week's episode where I interviewed Geoff Woods. He is the creator of the Crit Framework. P.S. I've received so many messages from people who said, this interview blew my mind. I'm gonna listen to it multiple times. I had so many aha moments and thank you. Like this is a life-changing interview. In that interview, he teaches the Crit Framework. So I was using the Crit Framework context, role, interview, task, the interview piece.
15:37
is I said, ask me up to three questions to help me clarify my story. And the AI asked me questions and it pulled out details I would have never even thought to include on my own. So this is just another plug reminder. You don't have to make this hard and it doesn't have to take forever, especially when you have AI as a strategic thought partner. So here's your challenge for the week. I'm calling it the emotional storytelling challenge.
16:05
Create one piece of content, a real, a carousel, where your only goal is connection. Not to sell, not to promote, not to get more followers, just to share a real piece of who you are or why you do this work. Think about what story has shaped you into who you are today or what stories, human stories, have shaped the business or brand that you work for. What moment
16:35
shifted how you show up in your business. Success goes to the implementers. You have to go and do. When you do this, post it on Instagram, don't overthink it, and tag me. I want to see it. And I will totally cheer you on. Because when you lead with your story, you don't just build a brand, you build trust, connection, and you build a movement. All right, my friend, that's it for today. I hope you loved today's
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Short but sweet episode. cannot wait to see what you create. As always, if you got something out of today's show, please share it with a business colleague or friend who is also trying to understand the mystery that is Instagram. I so appreciate you being here with me today. Don't forget to tag me in your storytelling post. I want to see it. You can DM it to me. I'm gonna be celebrating you. And as always, keep showing up and I cannot wait to start it with you next week.
17:33
Thank you for listening to Strut It. If you're ready to start leveraging Instagram to grow your business, then you're gonna wanna grab my free Monetize Your IG Guide, where you'll learn seven simple and proven ways to finally make money on Instagram. You can grab your guide at elizabethmarberry.com slash freebies. That's elizabethmarberry.com.
17:59
If you got some incredible value from today's episode, be sure to leave a review and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. And I cannot wait to start it with you again next week.
