How Storybrand's 7-Step Framework Can Help Your Nonprofit Achieve Its Goals

By Kenny Jahng

If you're like most nonprofits, you're always looking for ways to achieve your mission in a more efficient and effective manner. Whether it's fundraising, marketing, or something else entirely, there's always room for improvement. Luckily, the team at Storybrand has developed a framework that can help. 

What is the Storybrand Framework? 

The Storybrand framework is a seven-step process that can be used to clarify your message and make it more compelling.  

The first step is to identify the hero of your story. This is usually the person or organization that your nonprofit serves.  Or an alternative is the donor or supporter of the organization.

The second step is to identify the problem that your hero is facing. What are they trying to achieve? What obstacles are in their way? 

The third step is to introduce the guide. This is the person or organization that can help the hero achieve their goal. In many cases, the guide will be the nonprofit itself -- usually, it will point to the signature process that your organization has developed to solve the manifesto-worthy problem you're called to address.

The fourth step is to offer a plan. This is how the guide intends to help the hero achieve their goal. 

The fifth step is to call the reader to action. What do you want them to do after encountering your narrative?  We usually break this down into a super-simple 3-step process that is very easily conveyed and understood.

The result is a " playbook" that your team can use to create consistent, cohesive communications across all channels. 

Why Should My Nonprofit Use It? 

There are three main reasons why your nonprofit should use the Storybrand framework. 

First, it will help you clarify your message so that outsiders (your audience) can quickly understand what you do in relation to what they want.

Second, it will make your message more compelling.  Clarity drives conversions.

And third, it will improve your team's ability to create consistent, cohesive communications. When all of your marketing collateral is unified, that's when you'll see accelerated results.

How Do I Get Started? 

A good first step is to download the customized Storybrand Marketing audit and guide that walks you through the entire process.

If you want to optimize your impact, you’ll need a marketing plan that you feel confident in. Take the 10-minute assessment, and you'll get a FREE, customized marketing plan that will generate more revenue for your business.

In addition to your customized report, you'll receive a plan with next steps you can immediately take to fix your marketing and stop wasting time and money. Once you have the next steps list, you'll want to gather your team and start working through the steps that have been identified as the gaps in your marketing system. You may find it helpful to appoint a "Storybrand champion" (like me :-)  who can keep everything on track and ensure that everyone is on the same page. 

The Storybrand framework is a tool that can help any nonprofit clarify its message and make it more compelling. By using the framework, your nonprofit will be able to create consistent, cohesive communications across all channels. To get started, simply download the free PDF marketing report and start working through the steps with your team.

CLAIM YOUR FREE PERSONALIZED STORYBRAND MARKETING REPORT

If you need help putting the StoryBrand framework to work for your nonprofit, let’s talk!