Who Wrote StoryBrand?

If you’ve ever come across the book Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen, you might be curious about the person behind it. The author is Donald Miller, a bestselling writer, speaker, and entrepreneur who has helped countless organizations communicate more clearly and effectively. His book, first published in 2017, introduces the StoryBrand Framework—a simple yet powerful way to connect with audiences by using the principles of storytelling.

But there’s more to the story. Not only has Donald Miller created a framework that’s been used by businesses, nonprofits, and ministries all over the world, but he’s also trained a network of certified coaches, like Kenny Jahng, to bring those principles to life for organizations of all kinds.

Who Is Donald Miller?

Donald Miller is someone who understands the power of stories. Long before he became a marketing expert, he was known for his faith-based memoirs like Blue Like Jazz, which explored spirituality in a raw and relatable way. Many readers connected with his honest reflections on faith and life, and it’s clear that storytelling has always been at the heart of his work.

Over time, Miller began to see how storytelling principles could help organizations communicate more effectively. Whether it’s a business trying to sell a product or a nonprofit working to inspire donors, clear messaging is essential—but so many leaders struggle to get their point across. That realization led him to create the StoryBrand Framework and eventually write Building a StoryBrand. Today, he’s the CEO of StoryBrand and Business Made Simple, where he continues to teach leaders how to grow their organizations through better communication.

What Is the StoryBrand Framework?

At its core, the StoryBrand Framework is about simplifying your message so people actually understand it. The idea is pretty straightforward: every great story has a hero (the audience), a problem they need to solve, and a guide (you or your organization) who helps them succeed. By positioning your audience as the hero and yourself as their guide, you can create messages that resonate deeply and inspire action.

The framework is built around seven key elements:

1. A Character: Your audience (customer, donor, etc.) is the hero.
2. A Problem: Every hero faces challenges—what problem are they trying to solve?
3. A Guide: That’s you! You’re there to help them navigate their journey.
4. A Plan: Give them a clear plan for how you’ll help them succeed.
5. A Call to Action: Invite them to take the next step.
6. Failure: Show what’s at stake if they don’t act.
7. Success: Paint a picture of what life looks like when they win.

This approach works because it taps into something universal—our love for stories—and uses it to make your message clear and memorable.

Why Did Donald Miller Write StoryBrand?

Miller wrote Building a StoryBrand because he saw how much confusion was holding organizations back. Too often, businesses and nonprofits focus on themselves—talking about their achievements or using insider jargon—rather than addressing what their audience really cares about: how they can help solve their problems.

The book isn’t just about selling products or services; it’s about connecting with people in a meaningful way. For ministry leaders or nonprofit directors, this can mean crafting messages that inspire donors or volunteers by showing them how they’re part of something bigger. For small business owners, it might mean explaining clearly how your product improves customers’ lives.

How Does Kenny Jahng Fit In?

While Donald Miller wrote Building a StoryBrand and developed the framework, he didn’t stop there. He also created a certification program to train specialists in applying these principles—and that’s where people like Kenny Jahng come in.

Kenny Jahng is one of the fully certified StoryBrand Marketing Guides trained directly by Donald Miller’s organization. With over 15 years of experience working with nonprofits and ministries, Kenny specializes in helping mission-driven organizations use StoryBrand principles to advance their goals. He’s also the creator of the A.R.T. of Engagement™ Framework—a system designed to help nonprofits build authority, relevance, and trust with their audiences.

Kenny works with churches, nonprofits, and other organizations to clarify their messaging so they can better connect with donors, volunteers, and communities. Whether it’s designing websites or crafting fundraising campaigns, he uses both his expertise as a StoryBrand coach and his own A.R.T. of Engagement™ Framework to help leaders share their mission in ways that inspire action.

What’s Next for StoryBrand?

If you’re already familiar with the original book, Building a StoryBrand, there’s exciting news on the horizon: Donald Miller is releasing an updated version of the book—Building a StoryBrand 2.0—in January 2025. This revised edition will include deeper insights into the framework and introduce new tools like StoryBrand AI—a resource designed to help users quickly create clear marketing content that aligns with the framework.

The updated book aims to make it even easier for leaders in all fields—whether they’re running businesses or leading ministries—to cut through today’s noise-filled world and connect with their audiences more effectively.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re running a business or leading a nonprofit ministry, clear communication is key—and that’s what Building a StoryBrand is all about. Donald Miller wrote this book not just for marketers but for anyone who wants to share their message in a way that truly resonates.

For ministry leaders especially, this approach aligns beautifully with biblical principles. Jesus Himself used stories—parables—to explain complex truths in ways people could understand and remember. The StoryBrand Framework taps into that same power of storytelling to help organizations inspire action while staying true to their mission.

So whether you’re picking up Building a StoryBrand for the first time or looking forward to diving into the updated version next year, one thing is clear: Donald Miller’s work has changed how we think about communication—and it just might change how you tell your story too!

If you’re curious, you can also request a custom StoryBrand marketing assessment report for your own organization that’s no cost to all nonprofit ministries.