My 3 Storytelling Pillars & How to Pick Yours, episode 144

EP 144. “What should we talk about this year?” To help answer this in your content marketing plans, Sarah Panus teaches you how to pick your brand’s 3 storytelling pillars – and shares her own new company pillars. LEARN: Why 3 is the magic number. What phase of the content planning process you pick these? How and where to use them to more easily build an annual content calendar that markets with more empathy. 

WATCH ON YOUTUBE:  https://youtu.be/bGHOA7pYzfw 

QUESTIONS ANSWERED DURING PODCAST EPISODE

1. How does Sarah Panus define the concept of "3 storytelling pillars," and why is having three pillars particularly effective for content planning?
   
   
2. What reasons does Sarah provide for why moms are a critical audience for many brands, and how does this influence content marketing strategies?
   
   
3. Discuss the importance of clarity and focus in content planning. How do 3 storytelling pillars contribute to achieving these goals?
   
   
4. How does Sarah recommend approaching the research and development of brand storytelling pillars, especially considering SEO insights and audience feedback?
   
   
5. Sarah talks about the difference between the first two pillars and the wildcard pillar. What criteria does she use to define each of these categories?
   
   
6. Explore the role of business goals and foundational messages in determining the 3 storytelling pillars. How should these elements guide content creation?
   
   
7. Sarah introduces "mom mindset" as one of her storytelling pillars. How did she choose this pillar, and what does it aim to address in her content strategy?
   
   
8. What is the significance of Sarah's emphasis on child exploitation as a wildcard pillar, and how does it differentiate her brand from others in the content strategy space?
   
   
9. How does incorporating the storytelling pillars into an editorial calendar aid in maintaining consistency and focus in content creation across an organization?
   
   
10. Reflect on Sarah's process for revising the storytelling pillars for her brand in 2025. What lessons can you take away for your own content strategies?

TIMESTAMP HIGHLIGHTS FROM PODCAST EPISODE

• 00:00 "2025 Brand Storytelling Pillars"
• 05:05 StoryBrand Strategy: Crafting Effective Messaging First
• 08:09 Brand Focus through Content Pillars
• 10:41 Content Marketing & Mom Mindset Pillars
• 15:06 Child Exploitation Pillar
• 16:42 Editorial Strategy: 3 Storytelling Pillars
• 20:07 Book a Discovery Call

CONNECT WITH HOST, SARAH PANUS

• Sarah Panus on LinkedIn
• Need help with your brand's content plans?  Schedule a free 30-minute discovery call with Sarah Panus to determine fit.

QUIZ: READY TO IMPROVE YOUR CONTENT STRATEGY?

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ABOUT MARKETING WITH EMPATHY PODCAST HOST, SARAH PANUS

Marketing With Empathy® is the podcast for brands that want to target & engage moms. Moms influence or control 85% of ALL household purchases making them a lucrative market to figure out. Join host and 20+ year content expert, Sarah Panus, for ideas that get your products and services into the hands of moms who need them. Top 5% of all podcasts, and member of Marketing Podcast Network.

STOP missing out on this lucrative market. You want to scale to the next level but don't know how to use the power of story to capture the attention of moms. ​EVEN IF moms aren't your only audience -- they're a critical one to figure out.

Sarah understands how hard it is to juggle all the demands coming at you to drive leads and sales.  Clients: Sleep Number, SHEFIT, LegalZoom, American Express, JHL Turf Pros, Katie Couric Media, Thrive Global, Nestle Waters, Starbucks, Lindt Chocolate, American Heart Association, Alta Tech, King Technology, Christos Bridal, Western Green, and other small and mid-size brands.

She’s a brand storytelling consultant, podcast host of Marketing With Empathy® (top 5% of all podcasts), Certified StoryBrand Guide, and owner of Kindred Speak® consulting. Sarah works with clients by either doing the work for them through her freelance consulting services; OR, coaching them to think like Editorial Content Directors in one of her online courses. Visit www.kindredspeak.com to learn more.