How can you create a cohesive brand narrative with other storytellers?

Absolutely, establishing a strong core message is essential before collaborating with other storytellers. It sets the foundation for consistent and effective storytelling that resonates with your audience. Utilizing tools like mission statements, vision statements, and brand personas can be really helpful in clarifying your brand's identity and message.

For personal or professional brands, the core message needs to answer the following questions: Why do you do what you do, and why does this matter? Answering the question highlights your mission (and vision). For products or services or company brands, to find the core message, it needs to answer: Why we (the company) do what we do, and why our work matters (or why our products/company exists). Creating that core message and narrative increases stickiness, awareness and connection to your audience.

The story you and your partners tell should be consistent. This is where guidelines come in handy, as that will be the basis for feedback, reviews and approvals. Each partner needs to know what role they play and how and where they fit in the overall brand vision/core message strategy.

Frameworks are like scaffolds and can help you and your partners continue to create stories when you're sometimes not inspired. It's a system where you can use to get inspiration to get going especially when you feel like the brand story is getting lost.

Absolutely, collaborating with other storytellers presents both challenges and opportunities. Embracing diverse perspectives, respecting each other's input, and fostering a collaborative environment can lead to a richer brand narrative. Constructive feedback and celebrating successes together can strengthen relationships and enhance the overall storytelling experience.

Creating a cohesive narrative, in whatever space is done, it's not a heart thing. It's not only about the soul and authenticity, it is a deeply intelligent strategic action. A group of people whose narrative is aligned, clear and presented in an inspiring way, are unstoppable. However, one thing to remember is that, as humans, people will all have their own way to present stories. While the narrative might be the same, the performance of it might differ from person to person and that's ok. The sooner that is accepted and welcomed, the quicker the narrative will get cohesive.