StoryBrand Framework (SB7): What It Is and How to Apply It

Do you know why most marketing fails: it’s all about you. Customers don’t care about your awards or mission—they care about their problems. Or have you ever noticed why some brands capture attention effortlessly while others struggle to connect? The secret often lies in how they tell their story. That’s where the StoryBrand Framework (SB7) comes in—a powerful method to clarify your message and make your marketing more effective. It’s not a tactic only, it’s a mindset shift to make your customer the hero and your brand their trusted guide. Let me share my take away from Building a StoryBrand Book that I read last year.

One Topic: StoryBrand Framework (SB7)

What is the StoryBrand Framework?

Created by Donald Miller, the StoryBrand Framework uses the structure of storytelling to help businesses communicate more clearly. Instead of positioning your brand as the hero, it puts your customer in the spotlight—and your business becomes the trusted guide that helps them succeed.

This shift is critical because people care most about their own journey. They don’t want to hear how great your product is—they want to know how it helps them overcome a challenge.

The framework mirrors classic storytelling (think Star Wars or Harry Potter). Every hero needs a guide to overcome challenges. Your brand is that guide. Here’s how to craft your story:

The Seven Parts of the StoryBrand Framework

StoryBrand or SB7 is built around seven key elements. Here’s how they work:

1. A Character (Your Customer)
   • Identify who your customer is and what they want.
   • Example: A small business owner struggling to get more leads.
2. Has a Problem (The Villain)
   • Every great story has a conflict. Your brand should address three types of problems:
     • External: The obvious challenge (e.g., low website traffic).
     • Internal: The frustration it causes (e.g., feeling stuck).
     • Philosophical: The bigger “why” (e.g., every small business deserves a chance to grow).
3. And Meets a Guide (Your Brand or Business)
   • Customers aren’t looking for a hero—they’re looking for a guide who understands their struggles.
   • Example: Your brand should say, “We know how tough it is to grow a business. We’ve helped hundreds like you succeed.”
4. Who Gives Them a Plan (The Roadmap)
   • Show them the clear steps to solve their problem.
   • Example: “Step 1: Book a free consultation. Step 2: Get a custom marketing plan. Step 3: Watch your business grow.”
5. And Calls Them to Action (The Push)
   • Tell them exactly what to do next.
   • Example: “Sign up today” or “Download our free guide.”
6. That Ends in Success (The Happy Ending)
   • Paint a picture of the transformation they’ll experience.
   • Example: “With our strategy, you’ll double your leads in 90 days.
7. And Helps Them Avoid Failure (The Stakes)
   • Remind them what’s at stake if they don’t act.
   • Example: “Without the right strategy, you risk losing customers to competitors.”

Why This Works

When your brand follows this framework, your message becomes clear, your audience pays attention, and your marketing actually works.

The best part? You don’t need to be a marketing expert to apply it. Whether you’re crafting a website, ad, or pitch, just follow the SB7 structure, and you’ll connect with your audience like never before.

One example from internet,

• Before StoryBrand: “We’re a leading digital transformation company with 15 years of experience and cutting-edge AI solutions.”
• After StoryBrand: “Tired of losing deals because your sales team can’t keep up? We help B2B companies close 30% more deals in 90 days with our proven sales system. Book a call to see how.”

The second version worked 3x better. Why? It focuses on the customer’s problem and offers a clear solution.

“When we position our customer as the hero and ourselves as the guide, we transform from another vendor into the trusted expert. Clarify your message, and customers will flock to you.” From Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller

Read last week’s JustDraft newsletter about Blue Ocean Strategy Takeaways

Two Quotes

Strategy is about making choices. What will you stop doing to focus on your hero?

People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.

One Passage From A Book

We need braver leaders and more courageous cultures. Courage is contagious. To scale daring leadership and build courage in teams and organizations, we have to cultivate a culture in which brave work, tough conversations, and whole hearts are the expectation, and armor is not necessary or rewarded. Daring cultures believe that vulnerability—the emotion we experience during times of uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure—is the most accurate measure of courage. They also understand that vulnerability is the birthplace of trust, innovation, creativity, and belonging.

📚 From Dare to Lead by Brené Brown