Do you want everyone to like you? Or at least accept you? Maybe even applaud you from time to time? I know I do. That’s normal, I guess. But the truth is this: You are not for everyone, and that’s actually a good thing.
It’s normal to cast a wide net with our words, thinking the broader the reach, the better the results. But the wider your focus, the harder it is to make a real and sincere connection. You become more effective when you stop speaking to the masses and focus on the one person who truly needs to hear what you have to say.
At one point at StoryBuilders, we loved to serve people so much that we began to provide all sorts of services in an effort to help. We went broader, not deeper. But we soon realized that our lack of focus was actually making it more difficult to do what we do best—tell stories.
So, we walked away from 40% of our revenue overnight and refocused.
And we haven’t lost our focus since. Instead, we’ve been able to better connect with entrepreneurs, business professionals, and thought leaders to help elevate their messages and share them well.
Your Gift to the World
Think of your story as a gift. It always means more when it’s intentionally chosen with someone in mind. When you know who a gift is for, the way you present it carries more meaning.
That’s how your story works too. Your Meaningful Message is the gift you give to your audience.
But how do you know who should be receiving your gift?
Start by being confident in this truth: your story matters. What you have to share usually was shaped by the things you’ve experienced. And those lived experiences have already shaped your message in ways you might not even realize.
- Maybe you feel called to advocate for people who do not always have a voice.
- Maybe your heart aches for children in foster care, or single moms navigating life alone.
- Maybe you understand the silent weight of grief and want others to know they are not alone in it.
- Maybe you’ve built a business and want to share what you’ve learned
- Maybe you can help busy people be more productive or have winning mindset
Let these stirrings guide you. They are clues to who your audience might be. For further clarity, here are some helpful questions:
- What is the heart of my message?
- Who is this message meant to help?
- What encouragement did I need when I was in that place?
As you continue to explore, pay attention to the people you are naturally drawn to and who are drawn to you. Pay attention to what you feel a burden for. There are stories you think about long after the conversation is over.
Notice the advice you find yourself giving time and time again.
These reflections can help you uncover the people who are meant to hear your story and the messages they need most.
Listen. Learn. And Lean in.
Your Story Advantage Question:
Make a list of some of the key challenges you have faced in life. Then, next to each one, jot down what someone in that place might need to hear. What would you have needed to hear?
You don’t need to have all the answers. Just start with honesty. The more you understand your own experiences, the more clearly you will see who you are meant to speak to.
