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.
Hear Directly from DONALD MILLER
In this short clip, StoryBrand’s founder Donald Miller explains why clear messaging and a simple marketing plan change everything.
Donald shares why newsletters are back, what a full StoryBrand campaign includes, and how a certified guide helps you focus on what actually works—without wasting money or time.
Watch to see how working with a StoryBrand Certified Guide can make a measurable difference for your business.
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.
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.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on the latest strategic marketing insights.
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.
Simple Strategies to Develop Your Small Business’s Marketing Hourglass
By Vicky Sidler | Published 8 November 2025 at 12:00 GMT+2
If your marketing plan feels like it’s just you throwing spaghetti at a wall and hoping it sticks, I have good news. There’s a better way.
It’s called the Marketing Hourglass, and it’s less complicated than it sounds. Think of it as a relationship map for your business.
I’m Vicky Sidler, a StoryBrand Certified Guide and Duct Tape Marketing strategist who believes that when done right, it guides people from “Who the heck are you?” to “Take my money” and then straight into “I told my cousin and three friends about you.”
The idea isn’t new. John Jantsch from Duct Tape Marketing introduced it years ago. But too many business owners still treat it like theory. Or maybe they just don’t know about it at all. Let’s fix that today.
TL;DR:
Map how customers find and experience your business
Identify what’s working, what’s not, and what’s missing
Create helpful content for each of the seven stages
Use low-cost tools to track progress and build momentum
Systemise it all so your marketing doesn’t fall apart when you’re busy
👉 Need help getting your message right? Download the 5-Minute Marketing Fix
Table of Contents:
Simple Strategies to Develop Your Small Business’s Marketing Hourglass
What Is the Marketing Hourglass?
Step 1: Audit What’s Actually Happening:
Step 2: Map the Journey as It Really Happens:
Step 3: Create Stage-Specific Content:
Step 4: Use The Right Tools to Keep It Simple:
Step 5: Review Regularly or Risk Drifting:
The Hourglass Is a System, Not a Guessing Game
1. Marketing Hourglass Explained: What It Is and Why Your Small Business Needs It
2. The Complete Guide to Strategic Marketing
3. Free Target Audience Research That Actually Works
4. How to Find Your Unique Selling Proposition Fast
5. Marketing Automation’s Transparency Gap Is Costing You Sales
6. Is Generative AI Worthless? Maybe That’s a Good Thing
FAQs on Building Your Small Business’s Marketing Hourglass
1. What is the Marketing Hourglass?
2. How is the Marketing Hourglass different from a sales funnel?
3. Where do most small businesses struggle in the hourglass?
4. How do I know which stage to improve first?
5. Do I need expensive software to build a Marketing Hourglass?
6. How often should I review my Marketing Hourglass?
7. Is this something I can do myself, or do I need a consultant?
What Is the Marketing Hourglass?
The Marketing Hourglass is a seven-stage model that maps how someone becomes a loyal customer. It flips the traditional sales funnel by focusing just as much on what happens after the sale as before.
Here’s the flow:
Know → Like → Trust → Try → Buy → Repeat → Refer
Each stage needs specific actions from you and clear next steps for the customer. Miss a stage, and people either fall through the cracks or never come back.
Here’s how to do that.
Step 1: Audit What’s Actually Happening:
Start with a reality check. Pull out a spreadsheet. Label seven columns: Know, Like, Trust, Try, Buy, Repeat, Refer.
If you want a template sheet to get you started, grab it free in our Resources section.
Now list every way someone interacts with your business. Website. Google reviews. That one email you send after a sale.
Where are you missing steps? Where are you doubling up? Color code it. Green = solid. Yellow = needs work. Red = missing entirely.
Spoiler: most people flounder in the Try, Repeat, and Refer stages. That’s where the biggest opportunities are.
Step 2: Map the Journey as It Really Happens:
Forget how you want people to find you. Focus on how they actually do.
Interview 5 to 10 customers. Ask them to walk you through their entire experience, from first hearing about you to telling others.
What do they google? What makes them nervous? Where do they get stuck?
This will show you things your analytics never could. Like how someone might check your reviews three times before even opening your website.
The key insight? You’re not the hero in this story. They are.
Step 3: Create Stage-Specific Content:
Each stage needs its own type of content. That’s how people move forward.
Know: Blog posts, SEO, guest features
Like: Behind-the-scenes, welcome emails, newsletters
Trust: Testimonials, before-and-afters, media mentions
Try: Free templates, webinars, 30-minute consults
Buy: Clear pricing, FAQs, onboarding steps
Repeat: Loyalty perks, check-ins, helpful tips
Refer: Easy referral links, double-sided rewards, shout-outs
Do not try to do everything at once. Pick your weakest stage and start there.
Read this article for a more detailed guide to this.
Step 4: Use The Right Tools to Keep It Simple:
You don’t need enterprise software.
HighLevel CRM: tracks contacts and sends emails automatically
Canva: makes everything look decent
Google Forms: gather feedback
Google Sheets: old-school but it works
The point is not to be fancy. The point is to stay consistent.
Step 5: Review Regularly or Risk Drifting:
Every three months, take an hour and look at what’s working.
Are more people signing up or dropping off?
Are they sticking around or ghosting you after the first buy?
Are they referring anyone?
Choose one stage to fix each quarter. Small changes compound fast.
The Hourglass Is a System, Not a Guessing Game
Most marketing advice tells you to post more, run ads, or do a dance on TikTok.
But the Marketing Hourglass is different. It gives you a full view of your customer journey—and a clear path to improvement.
It’s how I help clients move from scattered tactics to steady growth. And the first step? Fix your message. If you can’t explain what you do in one clear sentence, none of the other stuff matters.
👉 Download the 5-Minute Marketing Fix and let’s start there.
Related Articles:
1. Marketing Hourglass Explained: What It Is and Why Your Small Business Needs It
If this was your first time hearing about the Marketing Hourglass, start here. This article explains the whole framework so you can connect the dots before building your own system.
2. The Complete Guide to Strategic Marketing
If you’re serious about fixing your customer journey, this deep dive helps you see how the hourglass fits into a larger, sustainable marketing strategy.
3. Free Target Audience Research That Actually Works
You can’t guide customers through an hourglass you don’t understand. This article helps you gather the customer insights needed to create the right content for each stage.
4. How to Find Your Unique Selling Proposition Fast
You need more than just good service—you need to stand out. This article helps you shape the kind of messaging that builds trust and nudges people to try.
5. Marketing Automation’s Transparency Gap Is Costing You Sales
Ready to automate some of your hourglass processes? This one shows how to do it without losing control—or accidentally damaging trust.
6. Is Generative AI Worthless? Maybe That’s a Good Thing
If you’ve been distracted by shiny tools instead of building systems, this piece is your reset. It’s a reminder that trust and clarity always come first.
FAQs on Building Your Small Business’s Marketing Hourglass
1. What is the Marketing Hourglass?
The Marketing Hourglass is a seven-stage customer journey model that helps small businesses turn strangers into loyal customers. The stages are: Know, Like, Trust, Try, Buy, Repeat, and Refer. It focuses just as much on what happens after a sale as before.
2. How is the Marketing Hourglass different from a sales funnel?
A funnel focuses only on getting people to buy. The hourglass continues beyond the sale, guiding how to keep customers, turn them into repeat buyers, and encourage referrals. It’s about building relationships, not just closing deals.
3. Where do most small businesses struggle in the hourglass?
Most drop the ball in the Try, Repeat, and Refer stages. These are usually underdeveloped or missing completely. That’s where customers go quiet or disappear—because there’s no clear reason to stay engaged.
4. How do I know which stage to improve first?
Start with an audit. List every customer touchpoint and match it to one of the seven stages. Then color-code it. Green means solid, yellow needs work, red is missing. Your first priority should be whichever stage has the most red.
5. Do I need expensive software to build a Marketing Hourglass?
Not at all. Most of it can be done with free or low-cost tools like Google Sheets, MailerLite, HubSpot CRM, and Canva. The key is consistency, not complexity.
6. How often should I review my Marketing Hourglass?
Quarterly is ideal. Every three months, review your stage-specific metrics, spot bottlenecks, and pick one area to improve. Small changes every quarter lead to steady, long-term growth.
7. Is this something I can do myself, or do I need a consultant?
You can absolutely do this yourself. The whole point of this guide is to give small businesses a way to build their hourglass without hiring a team. That said, if you want help clarifying your message first...
👉Download the 5-Minute Marketing Fix and get your one-liner sorted before you build anything else.
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
Is your Marketing Message so confusing even your own mom doesn’t get it? Let's clarify your message—so everyone wants to work with you!
Created with clarity (and coffee)