Marketing Made Simple #4: What Specific Problem Do You Solve For Customers?
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Release Date: 07/14/2021
#26: Dan Go—The Fitness Coach Who Built a Mega Brand by Niching Down
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
When you’re building a personal brand, the biggest mistake you can make is being too broad. The world doesn’t need another generalist. It needs someone who owns a clear, specific problem and solves it consistently. That’s the magic of niching down. A focused message not only grabs attention, it builds trust and traction faster than trying to be everything to everyone. So what does it look like to get hyper-specific, and how do you know if your niche is tight enough? In this week's episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed break down the personal brand of Dan Go, also known as...
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#25: Annie F. Downs—The Strategy Behind Her Breakthrough Personal Brand
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
What makes someone trust you enough to follow you, buy from you, or even just listen? In the noisy world of personal branding, it’s easy to assume you need a slick image or a viral strategy to break through. But that’s not what people are looking for. They want someone who feels real and honest. But how much is too much to share? And how do you stay grounded when your face becomes your brand? These are the questions that haunt creators, entrepreneurs, and professionals alike. So how do you strike the right balance? In this week’s episode, Donald Miller and Kyle Reed sit down with...
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#24: Pass/Fail—Breaking Down the Best and Worst in Branding
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Messaging can make or break a brand. Whether you're launching a campaign, building a personal brand, or responding in real time, what you say and how you say it matters. One wrong sound bite can sink your credibility, while one clear, compelling message can unlock massive opportunity. The stakes are high, and yet most people treat messaging like an afterthought. So how do you know if your message is building trust or breaking it? In this new “Pass/Fail” segment, Don and Kyle grade recent moments in marketing and culture through the lens of what worked and what flopped. They dig into...
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#23: Dadville—The New Rules of Being a Great Dad
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Dads often get a bad rap. In sitcoms, commercials, and even day-to-day culture, they’re typically cast as bumbling sidekicks or lovable oafs who mean well but don’t quite get it right. When that narrative takes root, it can be easy for fathers to shrug and settle for doing the bare minimum (especially when they get praise for just pushing a stroller down the street). But kids need more. And deep down, every dad knows he was made for more. So what does it look like to embrace fatherhood with purpose, presence, and even a little swagger? In this special Father’s Day episode, Don and...
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#22: Seizing the Moment—Lessons from Nike’s Viral Scheffler Ad
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Attention is the name of the game in today’s market. If you want to stand out, you need to move fast, think creatively, and tap into what your audience is already talking about. Whether it’s a funny meme, a strategic shoutout, or a well-timed post, the brands that win know how to seize the moment and jump into the spotlight. So how do you identify those moments and use them without sounding corny or out of touch? In this week’s episode, Don and Kyle unpack the power of real-time marketing using Nike’s viral Scottie Scheffler post as a prime example. They contrast it with...
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#21: Slate—Why This $20K Truck Is Getting All the Attention
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
In crowded markets, being different isn’t enough. You have to communicate how you’re different. Too many businesses blend in because they focus on what the competition is doing instead of what customers actually care about. You might offer better pricing, better service, or a better product, but if you don’t say it clearly, it won’t matter. Messaging that stands out starts with understanding what your audience hates about the current options and then owning the opposite. The brands that win don’t just have better products. They have better words. So how do you find the message that...
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#20: Snipd—What Your Brand Name is Really Saying to Customers
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Coming up with a product name or tagline seems simple. Until you have to do it. You brainstorm, you debate, and you finally land on something… only to find yourself explaining it to people over and over. That’s the real test of a name: if you have to explain it, it’s not working. The truth is, your name or tagline is doing more heavy lifting than you realize. It’s your first impression, elevator pitch, and clearest hook all rolled into a few words. So why do some names work instantly while others fall flat? And how do you make sure yours is good? In today’s episode, hosts...
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#19: Magic Spoon—How One Tagline Dethroned Sugar and Disrupted a $65B Industry
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
It’s not enough to have a great product. You have to position it so customers instantly understand the value. That’s what separates the brands that break through from the ones that disappear. Magic Spoon didn’t invent cereal, they just told a better story: one where protein replaces sugar, and taste isn’t sacrificed for health. And they did it with a smart tagline, a well-defined villain, and a brand voice that made people pay attention. So how can you sharpen your positioning to you stand out like they did? In this episode, Don and Kyle break down the marketing genius behind...
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#18: Southwest—The Genius of ‘Bags Fly Free’ and What Happened When It Changed
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Southwest Airlines built one of the strongest brands in the world by doing one thing better than almost anyone: clear, clever messaging that made customers feel like family. “Bags fly free” was more than a tagline. It was a promise that set them apart from every other airline. But when they recently backtracked on that core message, the backlash was instant. In a world where loyalty is fragile and expectations are sky-high, even the best brands can stumble if they don’t communicate the right way. So what happens when a company known for brilliant messaging gets it wrong? In this...
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#17: Annoying Ads—The Dumbest Campaigns That Won Your Attention and Made Millions
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Most people try to make their marketing polished, clever, or inspirational. But in the end, clarity beats creativity every time. In fact, some of the most “annoying” ads in history made hundreds of millions of dollars simply because they were impossible to ignore. They weren’t beautiful, they weren’t clever, but they were unforgettable. So why do so many businesses avoid this approach? Because we assume our customers want sophistication, when what they really need is a message that’s crystal clear and easy to remember. If your ad gets ignored, it doesn’t matter how gorgeous it is....
info_outlineCan you name the specific problem your business solves for your customers? Identifying your customers' problem deepens their interest in the story you invite them in and shows you truly understand them. It’s the “hook” of your story, but without it, your customers have no reason to engage with your brand causing your story to fall flat.
This week, J.J. and April guide you through the Problem section of the StoryBrand framework and how you can:
-Clearly identify the problem you solve
-Breakdown that problem into Three Levels of Conflict your customers are facing
-Implement problem-language into your marketing and messaging
J.J. also talks with Aleya Harris, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, who shares how she worked to specify the problem for a client who was stuck in the weeds trying to figure out exactly what they solved for their customers. Contact StoryBrand Certified Guide Aleya Harris at ClarifyYourMessage.com/Aleya-Harris.
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Clarify your messaging in only 48 hours by registering for the StoryBrand Marketing Livestream happening July 19th and 20th. Businesses that clarify their message and build a sales funnel are the ones that thrive in the marketplace. At the StoryBrand Marketing Livestream, you'll get both done in 48 hours AND get real time coaching in an online breakout room to make sure that you’re getting it right. Register now at StoryBrand.com.
Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the hero and you become their guide. And when you help your customers win, you win. Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you enjoy podcasts.
Begin applying the StoryBrand Framework to your marketing by creating your own BrandScript for FREE at MyStoryBrand.com.