Storytelling for Small Business: What to Share When You Don’t Know What to Say
What to Share When You Don’t Know What to Say
So you’re staring at a blinking cursor, wondering what to post.
You know you “should be posting more,” but you feel stuck — like you’ve said everything already, or like no one really cares what you have to say.
First of all? That’s normal.
Second? You don’t need to be a professional writer or a social media guru to create content that connects.
You just need to tell simple, honest stories.
Why stories work
Think about the last few posts you remembered on social media.
Were they perfectly polished ads? Probably not.
They were likely:
A small biz owner sharing a behind-the-scenes moment
A funny or relatable caption
A heartfelt story about why someone started their business
A tip or lesson from someone who’s been where you are
Stories work because they’re human.
They create connection — and connection builds trust.
So what do you actually share?
Here are a few categories of content that always work — and always feel human:
1. The “why I do this” post
People love to know the heart behind your business. What inspired you to start? What keeps you going?
Example:
“I started this biz from my kitchen table with $200 and a dream to make something meaningful in Chilliwack.”
2. The “behind the scenes” post
Show your process. What goes into creating your product, preparing your service, or running your day?
Example:
“A little peek at how I prep for market mornings. Coffee first, always ☕”
3. The “get to know me” post
Introduce yourself — again! New followers are joining all the time, and even longtime ones forget.
Example:
“Hey! I’m [your name], the face behind [your business]. I live in Chilliwack with my dog/kids/plants, and I started this biz because…”
4. The “teach something small” post
Share a quick tip, FAQ, or piece of advice related to what you do. Bonus: this builds trust and positions you as an expert.
Example:
“Not sure which [product/service] is right for you? Here’s how I help people decide.”
5. The “customer love” post
Share a review, a thank-you, or a repost from someone who supports you.
Example:
“So grateful for this sweet feedback from a recent client — made my whole week.”
Need more inspiration?
Here are 10 fill-in-the-blank storytelling prompts you can use any time:
“When I started this business, I had no idea ____.”
“Here’s what a day in my business really looks like…”
“This time last year, I was ____.”
“One thing I wish more people knew about my work is ____.”
“If I could go back and tell myself one thing when I started, it would be ____.”
“I created this product/service because ____.”
“Here’s a look at my setup before an event/shoot/market.”
“Let me introduce myself… again!”
“The best part of my job is ____.”
“This kind message made my day: [insert short testimonial or DM]”
Don’t overthink it.
You don’t need to write a novel.
You don’t need perfect grammar.
You don’t need to spill your life story.
You just need to show up and share something real.
A little honesty goes a long way.
Coming Up Next:
In the next post, we’ll talk about visuals — how to take better photos (even with your phone) and create a consistent look without hiring a pro every time.
Your story is your most powerful marketing tool.
And the best part? No one else can tell it quite like you.