StoryBrand Marketing Agency

Is Your Marketing Message So Confusing Even Your Own Mom Doesn’t Get It?

We're a StoryBrand Marketing Agency that helps Service Businesses clarify their messaging so everyone wants to work with you!

Build trust and authority in your industry

Connect with CLIENTS WHO ACTUALLY GET IT

MARKETING THAT FEELS NATURAL

WATCH THIS VIDEO

If your message isn’t landing—and the right clients aren’t showing up—it’s not your fault. Most service business owners are great at what they do. They just struggle to talk about it clearly.

In this video, I’ll walk you through how we fix that using the StoryBrand Framework, plus how to get started with either DIY or done-for-you options.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR MESSAGE ISN’T CLEAR

Can your mom explain what you do?

Can you easily explain what you do?

Can anyone?

If not, that's the problem we fix.

Because when people don’t understand what you do, they move on. You end up working harder just to stay in the game.

  • You’re always re-explaining yourself

  • Your website doesn’t convert visitors into clients

  • Your leads aren’t the right fit

  • Referrals become scarce

  • Marketing is frustrating as all hell

But it doesn’t have to be this way. A clear message makes all of that easier. It’s the difference between chasing leads—and attracting the right ones.

You might not believe it yet, but marketing can actually be the opposite of frustrating when you're doing it right.

MAKE YOUR MARKETING Simpler

Whether you want to learn the system or hand it over completely, the goal is the same: clear messaging that brings in better clients with less effort.

A DIY SYSTEM THAT’S SIMPLE TO FOLLOW

Join the StoryBrand Course

for weekly group coaching, templates, and a proven system that fits seamlessly into your week—without taking over your life.

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COACHING THAT MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE

Want someone to walk you through it? Get 1:1 or team coaching to clarify your message and apply the StoryBrand Framework to your business in real time.

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DONE-FOR-YOU MARKETING

Too busy to do it yourself? We’ll build your messaging, write your copy, create the assets you need, and handle your StoryBrand marketing—so you can stay focused on running your business.

HI, I'm Vicky Sidler

And I’VE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE

I know how it feels to stare at your marketing and think, “Why isn’t this working?” That's why I created a StoryBrand Marketing Agency.

All in all, your business isn’t just another brick in the wall—it’s something special. Your story matters, and I’m here to help you share it in a way that feels real, connects with people, and gets results.

  • As a certified StoryBrand Guide, I specialize in turning complicated ideas into clear, compelling messages that resonate with your audience.

  • With a background in journalism, I’ve spent decades telling stories that matter and crafting content people want to read.

  • I’ve developed a proven system to help businesses like yours cut through all the AI trash that's out there and build genuine connections with their audience.

Your story isn’t just important—it’s the reason people will choose your business. Let’s make sure it’s heard loud and clear by the people who need it most.

And sorry if I got Pink Floyd stuck in your head just now...

EVERYTHING STORYBRAND, ALL IN ONE PLACE

Whether you need help with strategy, websites, content, or SEO, I offer the full range of StoryBrand marketing services—done with you or done for you.

StoryBrand Framework

StoryBrand Wireframe

StoryBrand Websites

StoryBrand SEO

StoryBrand Video

StoryBrand Copywriting

StoryBrand Email Sequences

StoryBrand Marketing Funnels

StoryBrand Workshops

StoryBrand Consulting

StoryBrand PPC

StoryBrand Lead Generation

StoryBrand
Social Media

StoryBrand Strategy

StoryBrand Content Marketing

StoryBrand Local Service

StoryBrand Coaching

MARKETING THAT DOESN’T TAKE OVER YOUR LIFE

Whether you want to build it yourself or hand it off completely, as a StoryBrand Marketing Agency, we’ll give you a clear message and a simple system that actually works.

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BOOK A COFFEE CHAT

This is a no-pressure, non-sales call where we discuss what’s working, what’s not, and where you want to go.

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CHOOSE YOUR PATH

Get hands-on support through the StoryBrand Course, 1:1 or team coaching, or let me build the entire marketing system for you—messaging, website, emails, and more.

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FIX YOUR MARKETING

Walk away with a message that resonates, a plan that’s easy to follow, and marketing that works while you sleep and finally delivers results.

COFFEE’S ON ME (OK, NOT REALLY)

But I'm serious about helping you connect with your audience. Let’s grab a coffee (on Zoom) and chat about your marketing goals.

  • Wondering how to simplify your message? Let’s talk.

  • Ready to stand out in an AI-saturated world? I’ve got ideas.

  • Just need clarity? I’ll help you see the big picture.

This isn’t a sales call—just a friendly, low-pressure chat. At the very least, you’ll walk away with some cool ideas you can try on your own.

SCHEDULE YOUR COFFEE CHAT WITH ME (VICKY) TODAY

FIXING YOUR MARKETING SHOULDN’T FEEL IMPOSSIBLE

Most small business owners aren’t marketers—they just want to explain what they do in a way that makes people care.

But when the message isn’t clear, everything else gets harder: websites don’t convert, leads go cold, and social posts fall flat.

You might worry that getting it right will take too much time, cost too much money, or feel like just another online course you’ll never finish.

That’s why I offer three simple paths: do-it-together support through the StoryBrand Course, 1:1 and team coaching, or done-for-you services where I build your full funnel myself.

You’ll get clear messaging, practical templates, and real support—so your marketing finally works and your business actually grows.

YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

We know marketing can feel overwhelming, and you probably have questions. That’s why we’ve put together answers to the things people ask us most.

What makes Strategic Marketing Tribe different from other StoryBrand marketing agencies?

We’re the StoryBrand marketing agency that skips the boring "corporate speak." We blend the power of StoryBrand with strategic marketing solutions to craft content that feels human, genuine, and impossible to ignore.

How can your strategic marketing solutions benefit my business?

Our strategic marketing solutions simplify your message, clarify your brand story, and help you connect with your ideal customers. It’s marketing that makes sense and gets results – no jargon, no gimmicks, just growth.

What is StoryBrand, and why does it matter?

Think of StoryBrand as a cheat sheet for marketing clarity. It helps you explain what you do in a way that makes people stop, listen, and say, “Oh, I get it.” We use it to create marketing that feels human and that your audience will actually enjoy reading.

Do I need to be familiar with StoryBrand to work with you?

Not at all! Whether you’re a StoryBrand superfan (like us!) or have no idea what it is, we’ll walk you through everything. We’re here to make the process simple, clear, and (dare we say) fun.

How do I know if this is right for my business?

If people keep saying “I don’t really get what you do,” or you’re getting the wrong kind of leads, it’s a sign your message needs work. That’s what we fix.

What if I don’t have time to take a course?

The course is built for time-strapped business owners. You get short lessons, plug-and-play templates, and live support so you’re never stuck or overwhelmed.

What’s the difference between the course and the done-for-you service?

The course gives you training, tools, and weekly support so you can do it yourself. The done-for-you option means I build your whole funnel for you.

How long does it take to see results?

Most people see clearer messaging and better engagement within a week of applying the one-liner. Bigger results (like leads and conversions) follow as you apply it across your marketing.

What if I’ve already tried StoryBrand and it didn’t work?

Many people try to apply StoryBrand on their own and miss key parts. This course walks you through it step-by-step, with real examples and live feedback from a Certified Guide.

STORY, MEET STRATEGY

Let’s make marketing feel less robotic and more real. Find resources from a StoryBrand Marketing Agency that bring your message—and your business—to life.

Em Dashes Trigger AI Alarms—What Small Biz Owners Should Know

Em Dashes Trigger AI Alarms—What Small Biz Owners Should Know

July 29, 20255 min read

By Vicky Sidler | Published 29 July 2025 at 12:00 GMT

Somewhere between typo paranoia and robot apocalypse, the em dash has become suspicious.

That elegant punctuation mark—the one that lets you throw in an aside, add drama, or do both in one sentence (like I’m doing here, hopefully?)—is now considered a red flag for AI-generated content. Yep. Apparently, if you’ve been overusing the em dash, you might be a bot.

This recent paranoia, documented in Bloomberg by columnist Dave Lee (go read it; it’s brilliant), might sound like a niche grammar tantrum. But it touches something deeper for small business owners trying to build trust online: how you write matters. 

And not just for clarity—now it affects whether readers (and AI detectors) believe you’re human.


TL;DR

  • Em dashes are now flagged by some as an AI “tell.”

  • ChatGPT uses them often—but it learned that from real humans.

  • Your content shouldn’t sound robotic—but the punctuation isn’t the issue.

  • The real red flag is content that could’ve been written by anyone (or anything).

  • If you want people to trust you, start by sounding like you.

👉 Grab the 5-Minute Marketing Fix to write a one-liner that builds trust in seconds.


Yes, I Know I’m Using Em Dashes. Let Me Explain.

By now, you’ve probably noticed I’m using em dashes in this article—and yes, I’m aware of the irony.

But here’s the thing: I’ve used them for years—long before ChatGPT could string a sentence together. AI didn’t teach me the habit. It copied it from people like me (and Dave).

That said, if you learned about the em dash from ChatGPT—just like I learned it from Grammarly—embrace it. It’s probably the dash you were always supposed to be using all this time, rather than the hyphen. (Ok, I really am overusing it now to make a point. Lol. I’ll stop.)

So yes, the robots did teach us something, and that’s okay. Grammar tooling isn’t a crime; it’s an upgrade. Finally using the correct dash? I love that for us.

I briefly considered ditching them to avoid AI‑style criticism. But honestly? I’m not changing my voice and letting a machine re-populate my vocabulary.

Also, Chat GPT will move onto something else after enough people tell it to stop using them. And then I'll be free to live my life as a human rather than an apparent cyborg.

So, like a good grammar nerd with a Master’s degree and a mild compulsion for typographic correctness, I continue to use em dashes. Religiously. Even though they’re hideous. Even though I get accused of sounding like AI. Even though every time I want one on a platform without my shortcuts, I have to Google ‘em dash’ just to copy and paste it.

And if that gets me flagged as a robot by my audience—it’s at least human error.

The Real Problem Isn’t AI. It’s Content Without a Conscience.

I don’t actually mind AI content. I think it can be super helpful. 

It’s how people use it that makes me want to throw my laptop into the ocean and go live in a beach hut where “content strategy” means choosing which book to read next in my hammock.

AI is honestly amazing for people who aren’t fast or natural writers. (I sometimes secretly do basic arithmetic using my fingers, so I say this without judgment.) 

Using Chat GPT is no different to me using a calculator to add 16 and 18 (embarrassing, I know). If you know the logic and structure but need help with speed or accuracy? Use the tool. That’s what it’s there for.

But you still need to understand what you're calculating—and why.

Which is why I nearly choked on my coffee when I saw a tool (that shall remain nameless because I refuse to give it free PR) that promises to do everything for you.

Keyword research. Topic selection. SEO optimisation. Internal links. Schema markup. Publishing.

All automated. All AI. All “done for you.”

And look—I get the appeal. That's a lot to take off of any overworked business owner's plate.

But that’s not strategy. That’s spam with good formatting.

Because content isn’t just a ranking game—it’s a relationship-building game. People don’t follow you, read your blog, or open your emails because they want 2,500 words on “How to Increase Engagement with Engaging Engagement Tactics.” They read because they want you.

Your take. Your stories. Your weird punctuation quirks.

If your content could have been written by anyone—or anything—it’s just digital white noise. It doesn’t build trust. It just fills space.

And for small business owners, trust is everything.

What This Means for You:

You don’t need to ditch em dashes. You need to sound like a person.

That means:

  • Be clear about what you offer and who it helps.

  • Stop copying the generic stuff everyone else is saying.

  • Add a little of your actual self—tone, point of view, even a rant like this one if needed.

Whether you're writing your home page, your LinkedIn posts, or an email to a cold lead, the goal is the same: be understood. Be real. Be readable.

What I Recommend:

As a StoryBrand Guide and Duct Tape Marketing Strategist, I help business owners get clarity. And what I’ve seen again and again is this:

The businesses that win aren’t the ones with perfect grammar or fancy tech.

They’re the ones with a clear, human message that builds trust fast.

Start with one sentence. A good one-liner is like a handshake: warm, quick, and memorable.

👉 Download the 5-Minute Marketing Fix

It’ll help you write one sentence that turns strangers into buyers—no AI detector required.

blog author image

Vicky Sidler

Vicky Sidler is a seasoned journalist and StoryBrand Certified Guide with a knack for turning marketing confusion into crystal-clear messaging that actually works. Armed with years of experience and an almost suspiciously large collection of pens, she creates stories that connect on a human level.

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