Brands need better stories, not more ads
By Robin Danehav, Founder of Impact Docs
If you're a purpose-driven brand, you've probably felt this before:
You're doing good in the world, but you're getting drowned out by companies with 100x your marketing budget. You're building something real, something that matters, but it feels like no one's noticing.
You’re not alone.
And you’re not wrong.
The reality is that 85% of brand messages are ignored.
Most people scroll past 5,000 branded messages per day. Attention is scarce, and competition is everywhere.
But here's the good news:
Your advantage isn’t volume. It’s story.
The world doesn’t need louder ads. It needs truer stories.
You can pour money into ads, boost every post, chase the algorithm.
But louder doesn’t mean better. And it doesn’t mean memorable. (It’s also getting more and more expensive.)
What actually works, what breaks through the noise and sticks, is emotion. Human connection.
Something true.
That’s where storytelling comes in.
Why storytelling matters for purpose-driven brands
As a purpose-driven brand, you already have something that can’t be bought: meaning.
You're not just selling a product or a service. You’re creating impact. You’re trying to change something in your industry, your community, maybe even the world.
But impact on the inside doesn’t automatically mean awareness on the outside.
That’s why you need a story. A real one. Told in a way people actually feel.
It might feel like the world is stacked against you. But you're not powerless.
Corporate giants can afford to flood the internet. But what they wish they had is what you already do, a mission that matters. Something people care about.
The good news?
It’s easier to make great content when the story is actually worth telling.
And before you say, “But maybe we’re not that special…”
Trust us. We've worked with all kinds of companies, from climate startups to nonprofits, and passionate founder-led teams.
There is always a story worth telling. You just need someone who knows how to find it.
That’s what we do. It’s what we live for. (You can see some examples here.)
Loud ads sell products. True stories build trust.
Most ads chase attention. Stories build connection.
When you invest in storytelling, you’re not just putting something out into the world, you're inviting people in.
You’re building trust with future customers. You’re giving potential talent a reason to care. You’re giving partners and investors a reason to believe and invest.
That’s how real momentum happens. Not through more noise, but through a clear storyline.
What does a better brand story actually look like?
Better doesn’t mean scripted. Or overproduced. It means real.
It’s the founder sharing why the company started, even if it’s messy.
It’s the customer who says, “this changed my life,” unscripted and straight from the heart.
It’s the behind-the-scenes truth that makes people stop scrolling and feel something.
When we work with brands, this is exactly what we look for.
Because people don’t fall in love with products. They fall in love with people, because of the stories they tell.
Make your story work for you
Once you’ve told that story, don’t just post it once and move on.
Use it. Multiply it. Stretch it across every part of your marketing.
Your brand story can become:
A full-length documentary for your website and Youtube
Short videos for social media
Content for fundraising, recruitment, onboarding
Blog posts and newsletters
Speaking material for your founder or leadership team
This is how you build consistency.
Final word
If you’re a brand with purpose, your story is your superpower. Use it.
And if you don’t know where to start, we’re here for that.
Let’s tell a story people will actually remember. Book your free call with Robin Danehav and let’s get started.