Ep 40 - Beyond Soundbites: From Case Studies To Client Stories

Self-promotion can feel uncomfortable—especially for introverted, thoughtful, or reserved Thinkydoers. But what if sharing your impact didn’t have to feel like bragging?

In this episode, client experience copywriter and founder of The Content Witches, Nailah King, joins host Sara Lobkovich to explore how to craft authentic client stories that go beyond traditional case studies. Nailah shares practical strategies for telling compelling stories that showcase your work—even when your impact isn’t easily measured in revenue or metrics.

Learn some tips for managing rejection sensitivity and building confidence in sharing your work, so you can create marketing materials that align with your values instead of squeezing your unique approach into conventional formats.

Episode Highlights:

• Why traditional case studies don’t work for every business and how to tell client stories differently
• Strategies for showcasing your impact without relying on revenue-based metrics
• Overcoming rejection sensitivity and building confidence in sharing your work
• How introverted and low-energy Thinkydoers can approach self-promotion authentically
• Aligning your marketing materials with your values instead of forcing them into conventional formats
• Practical storytelling techniques to make your work more visible and engaging
• The emotional side of marketing—navigating vulnerability, rejection, and self-doubt
• Nailah’s personal journey and lessons learned from working with values-driven clients
• First steps to crafting client stories that feel natural, honest, and impactful

Key Concepts Explored:

1. Authentic Storytelling & Client Impact
   
   • Why traditional case studies don’t work for every business and how to create meaningful client stories
   • Strategies for showcasing impact without relying on revenue-based metrics
   • The power of storytelling to make your work more visible and engaging
     
     
2. Self-Promotion for Introverts & Low-Energy Thinkydoers
   
   • How to leverage stories to market yourself authentically
   • Managing the fear of visibility and rejection sensitivity
     
     
3. Values-Aligned Marketing & Ethical Storytelling
   
   • Creating marketing materials that reflect your values rather than fitting into conventional formats
   • The emotional side of sharing your work—navigating vulnerability, self-doubt, and rejection
   • How ethical storytelling can help build stronger client relationships and trust
     
     
4. Building Confidence & Overcoming Rejection Sensitivity
   
   • Understanding rejection sensitivity and how it affects self-promotion
   • Strategies for developing confidence in sharing your work and experiences
   • First steps to telling client stories in a way that feels natural and impactful

Episode Chapters:

00:00:00 Welcome to Thinkydoers podcast and introduction
00:01:00 Introduction to Nailah King and why Sara invited her on the podcast
00:03:00 Book launch announcement for "You Are A Strategist"
00:04:00 Nailah introduces herself and her work
00:05:00 How Nailah's approach differs from traditional case studies
00:09:00 The importance of centering the client's experience in storytelling
00:12:00 Balancing values-based work with business needs
00:17:00 Addressing struggles with talking about oneself and one's impact
00:21:00 Switching from teaching mode to emotional storytelling
00:24:00 Overcoming shyness when approaching clients for stories
00:28:00 Tips for handling rejection sensitivity
00:35:00 How Nailah creates safe spaces for client interviews
00:41:00 Key takeaways for introverts and Thinkydoers

Notable Quotes

"I don't get to tell you what you found valuable at the end of the day. I can ask questions that help you explore that, but I don't get to determine the most important feature or experience that you had with us working together." - Nailah King (00:05:00)

"Not all of us have work that fits into soundbites and all the attention is paid to getting us to squeeze our work into soundbites." - Sara Lobkovich (00:16:00)

 "Honor your energetics, honor your process, honor the format. If it's accessible to you, hire someone. If not, there are ways to do this work that are just easier. But you don't have to miss out, and you don't have to feel excluded. These stories are for us as well." - Nailah King (00:43:00)

Guest Information

Nailah King is a copywriter who specializes in client storytelling, particularly for thoughtful and introspective professionals who prefer a more authentic and less high-pressure approach to marketing. She focuses on crafting case studies that feel more like engaging client narratives rather than dry testimonials.

Nailah's Resources Mentioned:

• Website: www.thecontentwitches.ca
• Threads: @nailah.z.king
• Instagram: @nailah.z.king
• BlueSky: @nailahkingwrites.bsky.social
• LinkedIn: The Content Witches

A shout-out to Sarah Moon & Co, who brought Nailah and I together:

• Sarah Moon Consulting website

• And here’s the client story that Nailah wrote with Sara L, for Sarah M!

Sara’s Links and Resources:

• Join Sara’s Email List: Get updates on OKRs, strategy, and workplace wellbeing and performance at ck.redcurrantco.com

• Book Website: Now available! Learn more abpit You Are a Strategist at youareastrategist.com

• Book launch squad:  findrc.co/launchsquad

• Connect with Sara via LinkedIn, Bluesky, Threads, or Mastodon

• Podcast Home Page: Thinkydoers Podcast

Find full show notes and the episode transcript via https://findrc.co/thinkydoers!