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:

1. “When I started this business, I had no idea ____.”

2. “Here’s what a day in my business really looks like…”

3. “This time last year, I was ____.”

4. “One thing I wish more people knew about my work is ____.”

5. “If I could go back and tell myself one thing when I started, it would be ____.”

6. “I created this product/service because ____.”

7. “Here’s a look at my setup before an event/shoot/market.”

8. “Let me introduce myself… again!”

9. “The best part of my job is ____.”

10. “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.

How to Build ‘Know, Like & Trust’ Online (and Why That’s What Actually Sells)

Let’s bust a myth real quick:

“People don’t buy from businesses just because they have the lowest price. People buy from businesses they know, like, and trust.”

It’s called the Know–Like–Trust factor — and it’s the real secret to turning followers into buyers.

Especially here in Chilliwack, people want to support locals they feel connected to. You’re not just a business — you’re a person in their community. That’s your superpower.

So how do you build “Know–Like–Trust”?

Let’s break it down:

🧠 KNOW: Help people discover you

You can’t sell to someone who doesn’t know you exist.
The “know” phase is all about visibility.

Ways to build it:

• Show up consistently on social media (even once or twice a week!)

• Use local hashtags (like #chilliwackbusiness or #shoplocalchilliwack)

• Tag your location in posts and stories

• Collaborate with other local businesses

• Show your face — people remember people!

Your goal here is just to get on their radar.

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💛 LIKE: Help people connect with you

Now that they know you exist, they’re watching. Liking. Maybe lurking.
This is where you help them get to know the human behind the business.

Ways to build it:

• Tell little stories — how you got started, what your process looks like, what a day in your life is like

• Be yourself in your captions (write like you talk!)

• Share your values or what makes your business different

• Use video — especially Reels or talking to camera. It builds trust fast

Don’t be afraid to let your personality show. That’s what people actually connect with.

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✅ TRUST: Help people feel confident buying from you

Once they like you, they’re almost there — but trust is what makes them pull the trigger.

Ways to build it:

• Share testimonials or reviews

• Repost customer shoutouts or UGC (user-generated content)

• Explain your process or what to expect from working with you

• Show consistent quality in your work

• Answer FAQs (in stories, posts, or captions)

Trust is built when people see that you’re legit — and that others have had a great experience with you.

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Reminder: You don’t need a big following to build Know–Like–Trust.

You just need to show up in a way that’s:

• Consistent

• Genuine

• Helpful

That’s how you turn random scrollers into loyal fans. And fans into customers.

A few post ideas to build your K–L–T this week:

• Post a photo of you and share a little about why you started your business

• Answer a common question your customers ask

• Share a customer review or a happy client shoutout

• Film a 10-second Reel introducing yourself or showing your process

• Ask your audience something simple like “How did you hear about us?” or “What do you look for when you shop local?”

Coming Up Next:

In the next post, we’ll talk about what to post when you have no idea what to say — including simple storytelling tips and content prompts to keep things easy and human.

People don’t connect with businesses.
They connect with people.
And when they know you, like you, and trust you? They buy from you.

📣 NEW BLOG SERIES: Marketing Your Chilliwack Biz

You started your business to do what you love — maybe baking, building, painting, planning, serving, or selling something awesome. But now you’re finding out that running a business also means... marketing. Social media. Emails. Photos. Hashtags. Algorithms. Buzzwords.

Feeling overwhelmed yet? You’re not alone.

This new blog series is here to break it down for you — in plain English, with local flair. No jargon. No pressure to “go viral.” Just helpful tips that make sense for real Chilliwack businesses.

Whether you're a home-based maker, a downtown shop owner, a tradesperson, or running a side hustle, these posts are here to help you:

• get seen,

• connect with your people,

• and grow in a way that feels like you.

Start Here: What is Marketing (Really)?

Let’s be honest: most small business owners didn’t get into this to become marketers.

You’re juggling orders, emails, invoices, inventory, kids, chores, and the actual work your business does. Then someone tells you, “You really need to be on Instagram more.” Or “Have you tried email marketing?” Or “You should totally go viral on TikTok.”

Cue the eye roll.

Here’s a breath of fresh air: marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
And it doesn’t have to feel fake, forced, or expensive.

So, what even is marketing?

In simple terms, marketing is everything you do to help people…

1. Know you exist

2. Understand what you offer

3. Trust you enough to buy from you

It’s not just ads or salesy pitches. It’s the everyday stuff that helps people get to know you and your business.

If you’ve ever...

• Posted a behind-the-scenes photo of your setup

• Answered questions in your DMs

• Offered a little free advice to someone curious about what you do

• Put out a sandwich board on the sidewalk

• Shared your story on your website or social media

• Asked a happy customer to leave a review

...guess what? You’re already marketing. 🎉

Good marketing is just good communication.

It’s about showing up and connecting — not being perfect, not having a huge following, not spending thousands on ads. Just helping people understand who you are, what you do, and why it matters.

People buy from businesses they:

• Know

• Like

• Trust

So your job as a marketer (yes, you're one now!) is to help that happen. And the best part? You can do it in a way that fits you.

What marketing isn’t:

• It’s not having a perfect aesthetic grid.

• It’s not being on every platform.

• It’s not faking a big personality you don’t have.

• It’s not pushing things on people who don’t need them.

Let’s throw all that out the window.

So, where do you begin?

Start small. Choose one way to show up this week:

• Share a photo and tell a short story behind it.

• Introduce yourself on your feed or in a Reel.

• Show the process of something you’re working on.

• Ask your audience a question to get them talking.

You don’t need a giant strategy yet. You just need to start.

Coming up next:

In our next post, we’ll talk about something you do have — and the big businesses can’t buy: your local edge. Learn how being a small business in Chilliwack gives you an automatic marketing advantage (and how to use it to your benefit!).

You’ve got this. We’re cheering you on — and we’re right here with you.