StoryBrand Marketing Agency
StoryBrand Your
Business Without
the Guesswork
We implement a StoryBrand-driven strategic marketing system that attracts, nurtures, and retains your ideal clients, so you can focus on what you love (which, let's face it, is probably not copywriting and marketing).
Clarify Your Message
Attract Only Ideal Customers
Focus on Your Business Growth
Struggling to implement StoryBrand?
Are you finding it challenging to create a clear, engaging StoryBrand BrandScript on your own?
Unsure how to effectively integrate StoryBrand into your marketing?
Overwhelmed with what steps to take after completing your BrandScript?
Frustrated with marketing efforts that don't resonate with your audience?
Struggling to focus on your actual business?
You have a great business, and you're excellent at what you do. But if you're caught up chasing the latest marketing tactics – from SEO to social media and more – you're losing time that could be invested in growing your business.
WHERE STORYBRAND MEETS STRATEGY
You deserve marketing that works
Experience the clarity and efficiency of a well-crafted marketing plan tailored to your business and powered by StoryBrand.
Transform your marketing with a StoryBranded message that cuts through the noise, ensuring your brand resonates with your target audience.
See tangible results as your business attracts and retains the right clients (seemingly on autopilot), leading to sustainable growth and success.
With a StoryBrand-powered plan in place, spend less time worrying about marketing and more time on what you love – growing your business, spending time with loved ones, and all that good stuff.
You deserve peace of mind
Grow your B2B business with our strategic marketing services.
Do you find the lead generation process frustrating and time-consuming?
Save valuable time and focus on serving your clients.
Gain the upper hand in your market.
Set up a strategic marketing system that attracts and nurtures your ideal clients.
Feel confident with a solid, strategic marketing plan.
Hi, I'm Vicky Sidler
A StoryBrand Certified Guide & Fellow Entrepreneur
And believe me, I GET IT! I understand the frustration of marketing that just doesn't seem to work. I know what it's like to feel lost in a sea of tactics and strategies. When I started my agency in 2020, I was just a small fish in a big pond, trying to stand out from whale-sized competitors. (I’m also a qualified scuba diver, in case you’re wondering about these metaphors…)
Since then, we developed a proven, data-driven marketing strategy (powered by StoryBrand) that has helped both us and countless clients get noticed, attract the right customers, grow their ideal client base, and make an impact with their marketing and their businesses.
We boast a proven track record of transforming marketing messages to resonate with target audiences.
As StoryBrand Certified Guides, we apply the renowned StoryBrand Framework to everything we do with impressive results!
And as a Duct Tape Certified Agency, we’ve gone through an extensive certification process to offer you a holistic, systematic approach to marketing – a system that truly works.
You don’t have to do this alone. Together, we'll take your marketing from confusing to crystal clear. Let's make your brand's message stand out and connect with the people who matter most to your business.
I used the StoryBrand ‘one-liner’ yesterday for the first time to create some awareness on my various social media platforms. I have never had so many likes and interest on one of my coaching ads before. I am booking some consultations as we speak. You guys are amazing!
Tracey Clark, Business Coach
StoryBrand Services We Provide
Clarify Your Message
From US$1,500
Let us help you refine and perfect your StoryBrand messaging. We'll work with you to fine-tune your StoryBrand BrandScript, ensuring it resonates with your target audience and aligns with your brand's identity.
We even interview your ideal customers to get their point of view and make sure you've nailed it!
Learn More About Our StoryBrand Framework Consultation
StoryBrand Sales Funnel
From US$5,000
Specializing in the creation of the Marketing Made Simple Sales Funnel, we develop effective landing pages, engaging lead generators, and persuasive email sequences - all within the StoryBrand framework.
Install the full StoryBrand system into your business.
Learn More About Our StoryBrand Sales Funnel Development
Strategic Marketing Engagement
From US$7,500
Our Strategy First Engagement is a deep dive into your current marketing, where we’ll identify your ideal clients, map out your customer journey, craft a customized marketing plan, nail your BrandScript, and more.
Make sure you're doing it right from the start!
Why Choose Us?
Strategy-First Approach
At the Strategic Marketing Tribe, we apply the StoryBrand framework as our cornerstone, ensuring that your marketing plan has a clear and coherent message that speaks directly to your customers’ needs and desires.
Consistent Lead Generation
Kiss those unpredictable and mismatched leads goodbye. Leveraging the StoryBrand principles, we help you craft messages that consistently attract the right clients, ensuring a reliable flow of high-quality inquiries.
Save Time and Effort
Let us handle the complexity of crafting and applying your StoryBrand BrandScript. With our StoryBrand-focused approach, we streamline your marketing efforts, enabling you to dedicate more time to what you're passionate about – growing your business.
Gain A Competitive Edge
Elevate your business with a marketing message shaped by StoryBrand, positioning your brand as the clear choice in your industry. Our strategic, story-driven method ensures your business stands out to your ideal clients, giving you a competitive advantage.
Amazing! I needed help clarifying my message for my website. The Strategic Marketing Tribe helped me do this using the StoryBrand Framework. I can even use the BrandScript we made for the rest of my marketing material.
Matthew Van Neel, Lance Mvn
[Free eBook] 7 Steps to Small Business Marketing Success
Submit your info to download a copy of our free Book, which will guide you through the seven steps to build an effective marketing system.
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How It Works
Here’s what you can expect when
partnering with us:
Book Your Free Consultation
Complete the form below and schedule a time that works for you. We’ll meet and talk about your business, goals, and current messaging.
StoryBrand Strategy Session
In our StoryBrand Strategy Session, we’ll dive deeper into your business to see what you’re doing now and where there are opportunities to integrate the StoryBrand framework effectively.
Start Applying StoryBrand
You get to keep all the ideas we come up with during this strategy session – absolutely no obligation.
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Stay up-to-date on the latest strategic marketing insights.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are our answers to the most frequently asked questions about marketing and lead generation.
What is StoryBrand?
StoryBrand is a marketing framework developed by Donald Miller that helps businesses clarify their message so it resonates with their target audience. It centres around creating a story for your brand where the customer is the hero, and your business is the guide that helps them overcome their challenges and achieve their goals.
How can StoryBrand help my business?
Implementing the StoryBrand framework can transform how you communicate with your customers. It simplifies your message, making it easier for customers to understand how your products or services can solve their problems. This clear communication helps increase engagement, conversions, and customer loyalty, ultimately driving growth for your business.
What does the process of creating a StoryBrand BrandScript involve?
Creating a StoryBrand BrandScript involves identifying key elements of your brand's story, such as defining your customer's problem, positioning your brand as the guide with a solution, and outlining a plan that leads the customer to success. This script serves as the foundation for all your marketing materials, ensuring a consistent and compelling message across all platforms.
How do I choose the right StoryBrand guide for my business?
Be sure to choose a StoryBrand guide who prioritizes strategy over tactics. A strategic-first approach ensures your marketing is built on a solid foundation, preventing wasted time and resources in the long run. Look for a guide focused on aligning your core message and goals before diving into marketing actions, ensuring your efforts attract the right leads and drive meaningful results.
Learn More about StoryBrand
and Strategic Marketing Insights
From the Strategic Marketing Tribe
Take a deep dive into the world of strategic marketing insights,
where you’ll find expertise to help your business thrive.
SA Small Businesses Face Closure—5 Moves to Stay Afloat
By Vicky Sidler | Published 20 August 2025 at 12:00 GMT
It’s not exactly the uplifting headline you wanted with your morning coffee: more than half of South Africa’s small businesses may not survive the next year without serious help.
The inaugural Small Business Growth Index (SBGI) reveals over 50% of small firms are contracting, struggling to trade, or at risk of shutting down. Only one in four reported any growth.
So, yes, the sector is under pressure. But buried in the report is a quieter story—a stubborn streak of resilience. Even in these conditions, 80% of respondents still plan to invest in working capital, assets, or marketing.
That tells me two things:
The challenges are real.
So is the determination to fight through them.
TL;DR
Over 50% of SA small businesses are in trouble
Main cost pressures: transport (+60.9%), utilities (+56.9%), raw materials (+52.9%)
75%+ plan to raise prices by 6–10%
80% still investing in capital, assets, and marketing
Report calls for urgent structural support and financial literacy programmes
Need help getting your message right? Download the 5-Minute Marketing Fix.
Table of Contents
SA Small Businesses Face Closure—5 Moves to Stay Afloat
Why So Many Businesses Are Struggling:
The Good News (Yes, There Is Some):
5 Moves to Stay Competitive When the Economy’s Against You:
3. Invest in Customer Relationships:
4. Improve Your Offer Clarity:
Why Clarity Is Your First Line of Defense:
Try the 5-Minute Marketing Fix:
Advertise Your Business on $500—Here's What Works
AI Fraud Crisis Warning—What Small Biz Must Do Now
Your Customers' Attention Spans Now Last 40 Seconds
LLM Visibility: The SEO Shift You're Missing
AI Can't Replace Expertise—Tea Data Breach Proves It
What is the Small Business Growth Index (SBGI)?
How bad is the situation for small businesses in South Africa?
What are the main cost pressures facing small businesses?
How are small businesses responding to rising costs?
Are small businesses still investing despite the challenges?
What support does the report recommend?
What can small business owners do right now to improve their chances of survival?
Why So Many Businesses Are Struggling:
The SBGI score currently sits at 51.08—officially the “vulnerable” zone. That’s the awkward middle ground between early recovery and mounting cost pressures.
Rising transport, electricity, and raw material costs are squeezing already thin margins. Businesses are responding the only way they can—by raising prices. But passing costs to customers has its limits, especially when consumer spending is also under strain.
The Good News (Yes, There Is Some):
Despite this, nearly 80% of surveyed businesses still plan to invest—whether in keeping operations running smoothly, upgrading equipment, or marketing to bring in new customers.
That mindset matters. In tough markets, businesses that keep showing up and communicating clearly have a better chance of weathering the storm than those that disappear until “things get better” (spoiler: they rarely do on their own).
5 Moves to Stay Competitive When the Economy’s Against You:
As a StoryBrand Certified Guide and Duct Tape Marketing Consultant, I’ve seen that survival in hard times often comes down to getting back to basics—fast. Here’s what I’d prioritise:
1. Get Ruthless with Costs:
Review expenses line by line. Cut anything that doesn’t directly generate revenue or strengthen your market position.
2. Negotiate with Suppliers:
You’re not the only one feeling the pinch. Ask for better terms, bulk discounts, or flexible payment plans.
3. Invest in Customer Relationships:
Retention is cheaper than acquisition. Regular, useful communication keeps you top-of-mind without breaking the bank.
4. Improve Your Offer Clarity:
If customers can’t instantly understand what you do and why it’s worth paying for, you’ll lose them—especially now.
5. Diversify Your Revenue:
Add complementary products, services, or subscription models to spread your income risk.
Become An Expert At Survival:
Running a business is not for the faint of heart (not for sissies, as we say in South Africa). I’ve had to scramble more than once to keep mine afloat. And I’ve learned each of these five steps the hard way—usually in the middle of an economic dip that made me question whether I was in the right line of work.
The truth is, downturns aren’t one-off events. They’re inevitable and ongoing. You survive one, and there’s another one waiting for you a few years down the road.
Oddly enough, it gets easier when you make peace with that reality. Once I stopped waiting for “normal” to return, I got much better at applying these steps consistently, which meant the storms became easier to weather—even when they hit back-to-back. Sometimes, I don’t even notice them at all.
Why Clarity Is Your First Line of Defense:
In times like this, confusion costs money. If your message is unclear, you’re making it harder for people to buy from you—and harder for them to justify paying your prices after an increase.
A clear, concise message is one investment you can make right now that will pay off in both sales and customer loyalty.
Try the 5-Minute Marketing Fix:
It’s a free, practical tool that helps you create one sharp sentence to explain your business and why it matters.
Because in an economy where 40% of small businesses might not make it to next year, every second—and every sentence—counts.
Related Posts
Advertise Your Business on $500—Here's What Works
You’ve just learned over half of SA small businesses might not see 2026. This is what happens when someone takes your $500 marketing budget (post-electricity bill) and turns it into strategy instead of a desperate prayer to the Google gods. It’s the difference between throwing ad money like confetti at a funeral and actually knowing where each rand is supposed to land.
AI Fraud Crisis Warning—What Small Biz Must Do Now
You’re already battling rising costs and erratic raw material prices—the last thing you need is an AI scammer stealing your customers. This explains why Sam Altman, creator of ChatGPT, is suddenly warning about an “impending fraud crisis” with the urgency of someone who’s realized their Frankenstein’s monster has learned to use WhatsApp.
Your Customers' Attention Spans Now Last 40 Seconds
You’ve got 40 seconds to hook someone before they scroll past like you’re a Terms of Service agreement. If you’re investing in marketing, you’d better make your message hit harder and faster than a Gautrain announcement.
LLM Visibility: The SEO Shift You're Missing
While you’re trying to stay afloat, AI-powered search is replacing Google and recommending businesses without sending them clicks. This is like being talked about at parties you’re not invited to—but in a way that can actually make you money if you know how to work it.
AI Can't Replace Expertise—Tea Data Breach Proves It
Cutting costs can tempt you into risky shortcuts. This article covers what happened when a dating app trusted AI over human expertise—72,000 user photos exposed online. It’s a guide to spotting which corners you can safely cut and which will sink you faster than your current problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Small Business Growth Index (SBGI)?
The Small Business Growth Index (SBGI) is a survey-based index developed by Absa Business Banking, SACCI, and the Bureau of Market Research at Unisa. It compiles indicators like operating conditions, debt levels, cash flow, and growth expectations into a single score to assess the overall health of South Africa’s small business sector.
How bad is the situation for small businesses in South Africa?
According to the latest SBGI, over 50% of South African small businesses are contracting, struggling to trade, or at risk of closure. Only one in four businesses reported any growth, putting the sector in the “vulnerable” zone.
What are the main cost pressures facing small businesses?
The study highlights significant increases in key operating costs:
Transport costs up 60.9%
Utilities up 56.9%
Raw materials up 52.9%
How are small businesses responding to rising costs?
More than 75% of businesses plan to raise prices by 6–10% in the months ahead to offset cost increases. Many are also cutting expenses, negotiating with suppliers, and finding ways to diversify revenue.
Are small businesses still investing despite the challenges?
Yes. Around 80% of respondents say they plan to invest in areas like working capital, fixed assets, and marketing to remain competitive.
What support does the report recommend?
The SBGI calls for urgent structural support, including:
Expanding grant-based funding
Creating accessible hybrid financing models
Improving financial literacy through national campaigns
Widening access to equity and alternative funding sources
What can small business owners do right now to improve their chances of survival?
The blog recommends five key moves:
Cut non-essential costs
Negotiate with suppliers
Strengthen customer relationships
Make your offer crystal clear
Diversify income streams
Why is having a clear marketing message so important?
A clear message helps customers understand exactly what you do, why it matters, and why they should choose you—especially when prices rise or budgets tighten. Confusion makes it harder to close sales and retain customers.
Where can I get help crafting a clear business message?
You can start with the free5-Minute Marketing Fix. It’s a practical tool to create one simple, effective sentence that builds trust and drives action.
Become the Next StoryBrand Success Story
In the world of business, feeling overwhelmed by marketing strategies that don't deliver can be disheartening.
At the Strategic Marketing Tribe, we understand that you might be unsure on how to effectively apply the StoryBrand framework and perhaps hesitant about investing in yet another marketing solution.
Our approach is designed to alleviate these concerns:
We offer a completely free strategy session that’s designed to help you with some great ideas for marketing your business. These ideas are 100% yours to keep – and there is no sales pitch to endure (not even a secret one).
What’s the catch? Well, if you’d like help with finalizing your StoryBrand Framework or implementing any of the tactics we discuss, we hope that you’ll consider us.
Best of all? If you’re not completely blown away by the work we do for you, we’ll give you a full refund. Sure, it’s a massive risk for us because we can’t undo the delivery once it’s been made, but we are so confident in the value our service provides that a guarantee is a no-brainer.
With our expert guidance, you can shift your focus from marketing worries to what you do best – growing your business, spending time with those you love, and enjoying the success that comes with clear, effective strategy.
Ready to take the guesswork out of your StoryBrand marketing?
Let’s get started
Ready to take the guesswork out of your marketing efforts? At Strategic Marketing Tribe, we create a tailored marketing strategy for your business that attracts, nurtures, and engages not just any lead, but your ideal customers.
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