Breaking through the marketplace clutter and the endless options in the outdoor, hunting, adventure and shooting sports marketplace is really difficult—sometimes impossible for companies with smaller budgets. The imagery is getting better. The copy is more persuasive. The products are more durable and it seems like every brand claims the same thing:
- We Make the World’s_____.
- We’re the Superior ______.
- We’re #1 in _____.
- The Worlds’ Most_____.
- The Ultimate _____.
Does the above list sound familiar?
There’s nothing wrong with claiming to be the best—if you’re a brand who really is the market leader—you earned it. But for brands less well known, making such claims can be down-right dishonest. The truth is, if you’re a relative unknown brand making the claim that you’re “the best,” you’re wasting money on marketing and your customers don’t believe you anyway. False claims have caused a backlash in other industries as well as our own.
People have great distrust in brands (and companies) these days (Source: Forbes). It’s been documented that your prospective customers will check out 11 pieces (social media, reviews, blogs, websites, ads, forum review and articles) of content before deciding to hand over their hard-earned money because they are afraid of being cheated or taken of advantage of. When was the last time you bought something for first time over $50 without doing any research online?
To combat this “me-too,” and “I’m the best” mentality, marketers and business owners in the outdoor, hunting and shooting sports need to find other ways to get their customer’s attention and break out in the marketplace—and the #1 way to effectively accomplish this is by putting in the time to think through their messaging—a good way to do this is through the power of story.
Story has been around since creation. Story has been hard-wired into our brain as a sense-making device. It helps us understand our environment, situations and how to achieve our goals. Stories engage our imaginations and hold our attention for hours on end. Think about the last great movie you saw. Movies like Jason Bourne, Days of Thunder, Star Wars and Saving Private Ryan are all incredibly captivating.
The same methods used in the movies can also apply to your rifle, ammo, optic, safe, retail store, camo, mags, gun range, guide service or firearm instructor business etc.
In the following, I’m going to explain how to write story into your marketing, make your customer the hero and stand out in the marketplace to attract more customers. This process if called StoryBrand™.
1. A Character
Make your customer the hero, not your brand.
Every great story starts with a hero. The hero in your business is your customer. As humans, we all want to become something better: better hunters, better shooters, more fit, smarter and more wealthy. We also have personality and character traits like age, income, values, beliefs and interests. Define your customer as the hero in your ads, emails, website copy, and sales letter. Once you start defining what your customer wants, they start paying attention.
Q: How can you make your customer the hero?
Brands that participate in the transformation of their customers win in the marketplace. (Source: StoryBrand)
2. Has a Problem
Every hero in every story has a problem that must be solved. Without a problem to be addressed (a bomb to diffuse, a girl to rescue or a disaster to prevent) the story would fall flat and you lose your audience’s interest. It’s up to you to identify what the problem is and how the hero will overcome this problem.
Q: What problem does your product or service solve?
A story gets interesting when the conflict is defined. (Source: StoryBrand)
3. Meets a Guide Who Understands Them
No hero can solve the problem on their own. They can try, but it won’t be as successful nor as exciting. Luke Skywalker had Yoda (and Ben Kenobi), Cole Trickle had Harry Hogge, and Neo had Morpheus.
This is how your brand plays the guide:
- First, you must show Empathy. Empathy means to relate. How can you empathize with your customer’s problem?
- Second is Authority. Heroes look to guides who have gone before them. If you haven’t gone where your customer wants to go, how can you be the guide? How have you solved the same problem your customer is trying to solve? This must be communicated clearly to establish trust.
Never position yourself as the hero in your brand’s story. (Source: StoryBrand)
4. Who gives them a Plan
At this point in the story, your customers find themselves at risk. This is the point where most customers will bounce off your website or find themselves confused about what you offer. The purpose of giving them a plan is to break down the steps on what it takes to work with or buy from you. The plan eases any friction points in the buying process and helps your customer move forward.
Q: What are the steps your customer must take to work with you?
A plan alleviates confusion or hesitancy about the next step. (Source: StoryBrand)
5. And Calls them to Action
No story can proceed until the hero is called to action. Your customer will not take action unless they are challenged. You must call them to do something.
- Buy Now
- Schedule A Call
- Sign Up
- Find A Dealer
are all clear call to actions. This language must be repeated over and over again to make it clear what it is you want your customer to do.
Q: Do you have a clear call to action on your website?
If we don’t have the confidence to ask people to buy from us, they assume our product won’t solve their problem. (Source: StoryBrand)
6. That Helps Them Avoid Failure
Two forces motivate people: avoiding failure and experiencing success. Every human being is trying to avoid a tragic ending. Your customer must know how you will help them be successful.
Q: How will your product or service help your customer avoid failure.
Human beings are sometimes more motivated to avoid a loss than achieve gain. (Source: StoryBrand)
7. Or Ends in Success
As the guide, you must cast the vision of what success looks like if your customer uses your product or services.
Communicate through words and images that your product or service solves your customers’ problems. (Source: StoryBrand)
By understanding these seven principles, you will be able to
- Stop wasting money on ineffective marketing
- Get and keep your customers attention
- Cut through the marketplace clutter of me-too products
- Attract more customers
By taking the time to clarify your message and figure out these aspects of your story, you will be able to transform your marketing, attract new customers and stand out in the crowded marketplace.
If you’d like to check out the book StoryBrand or learn more about the process yourself you can:
You can also schedule a call with me, and get a clear plan on how to clarify your message and grow your business.
FAQS
What is the “story” framework for marketing in the outdoor, hunting, and shooting-sports industry?
The article describes a 7-part storytelling framework: (1) A Character, (2) Has a Problem, (3) Meets a Guide Who Understands Them, (4) Who Gives Them a Plan, (5) And Calls Them to Action, (6) That Helps Them Avoid Failure, (7) Or Ends in Success.
Why is making your customer the hero important in outdoor & firearms marketing?
Because brands that position the customer as the hero (instead of the brand itself) win attention and trust. The customer wants to become “better” (hunter, shooter, fit, smarter). Defining that transformation helps the brand engage them.
What role does your brand play when you’re using story-based marketing?
In this framework, your brand plays the role of the Guide: you show empathy (you understand the customer’s problem) and authority (you’re the proven expert). You don’t play the hero—that’s the customer’s role.
What does it mean to give your customer a “plan” and why is it important?
Giving your customer a plan means clearly outlining the steps they must take (to purchase, engage, use your service). It reduces friction, confusion and increases the likelihood of action. Without a plan, prospects often bounce off a website.
How can you motivate action by using story structure in your marketing?
The framework says you must call your customer to action (e.g., “Buy Now”, “Schedule a Call”, “Sign Up”). Also, show both what failure looks like (if they don’t act) and what success looks like (if they do) — humans are motivated to avoid loss and to gain success.
What outdoor, hunting and firearms industry agency can best help with messaging?
Garrison Everest is the only StoryBrand Certified agency in the industry that specializes in messaging. Since every brand or marketing project starts with a clear message, its the first place to start when trying to build a successful business.
CLEAR MESSAGING TASKLIST
How much is unclear messaging costing you?
The following tasklist will help you (the business leader, director or executive) in the outdoor, hunting, adventure or shooting sports industry determine if your message is clear. It will help you and your team think about how to make your customer “the hero,” and position your brand as the “the guide” that will revolutionize your marketing.
What you get:
- Introduction to a 7-part framework to clarify your message
- Know what to say and what order to say it in
- Give your team a messaging process that can be implemented across all your marketing materials
