Values-Driven Marketing Strategies & The Power of Narration

In this episode, I dive into two major topics that are top of mind for many values-driven coaches, especially those in The Hive. 

First, I discuss the key principle of marketing: marketing should never leave a bad taste in your mouth. This is a simple yet essential rule that guides our work as coaches. 

From high-pressure tactics like fake countdowns to more subtle strategies that don’t feel right, I explore how even the most seemingly harmless marketing practices can violate our values-driven marketing strategies. 

I’ll share personal stories and examples to help you avoid these pitfalls and stay aligned with what feels authentic to you.

The Importance of Values-Driven Marketing Strategies

When we market our services, the ultimate goal should be to foster relationships, not just sell something. A key lesson I learned early in my career was that values-driven marketing strategies aren’t just about getting sales. They’re about creating genuine connections with your clients. 

Marketing should never feel sleazy or manipulative – it should leave people feeling good, not tricked. So, when you’re in a situation where a marketing tactic feels uncomfortable, you should trust your gut. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

I made a big mistake early on when I used one of those high-pressure tactics during my first course launch. I had seen other marketers using fake “limited time” offers and countdown timers, and I thought it was the right move. But it didn’t sit well with me. I compromised my values in the name of “getting results,” and the fallout was real. I learned that values-driven marketing strategies must always come first. 

When marketing starts to feel off, it’s time to take a step back, trust yourself, and reassess.

Narration: A Key Coaching Tool

Next, we explore how narration can transform your approach to both marketing and coaching. Narration is all about sharing what’s going on in your mind – whether you’re selling or coaching. It’s about showing your clients that you’re not just going through the motions but that you’re fully present with them, guiding them through the process.

Narration helps keep you grounded. If you’re ever in a situation where you’re feeling unsure, like during a sales call or coaching session, simply narrating what’s going on for you can relieve the pressure. 

For instance, if you’re unsure about the next step, just say: “I’m not sure where we should go next, but let’s figure it out together.” This builds trust with your clients and reminds them that you’re human too. Narrating builds a stronger connection and shows your clients that you’re a partner in their journey – not just a coach with all the answers.

When you use narration effectively, you align with values-driven marketing strategies by keeping the conversation open, transparent, and authentic. This is especially important in situations where you feel the pressure to perform. 

Instead of trying to have all the answers, you narrate what you’re experiencing and bring the focus back on the client. This creates an atmosphere of trust and empathy.

Real-Life Examples of Values Misalignment

I want to share two stories from The Hive that really highlight the importance of sticking to your values. Betty, a parenting coach, was told by an advisor to narrow her focus to couples, even though her passion was in helping new moms. She was eager for success, so she followed the advice, even though it didn’t sit well with her. This is a classic trap that many of us fall into – we let external advice override our instincts.

On the flip side, there’s Wilma, who tried to fit her deep, nuanced coaching work into a rigid, “neat” signature system. It didn’t work for her. Her process was too complex for a one-size-fits-all system. But once she threw away the formula and embraced her unique process, she found her true signature system. This is a great reminder: values-driven marketing strategies are about staying true to what feels right for you, not just copying what someone else says works.

Trusting Your Values Over External Advice

As values-driven coaches, we know that our work isn’t always easy to define. It’s not always tidy or formulaic. But when we try to force a strategy that doesn’t align with who we are or what we stand for, we end up with that uncomfortable, “bad taste in our mouth” feeling.

If you’re ever in doubt, ask yourself this question: Why does this marketing strategy feel uncomfortable? Is it because it goes against your values? Or is it because you’re dealing with fear or perfectionism? If the strategy doesn’t feel right because it’s not aligned with your values, it’s time to either ditch it or tweak it until it feels better. If it’s fear or perfectionism, try sticking with the strategy a little longer and testing it out. But above all, values-driven marketing strategies should never feel uncomfortable or forced.

Measuring Success with Values-Driven Marketing Strategies

When evaluating the success of your marketing, it’s essential to look at both outer and inner metrics. Outer metrics include things like whether the strategy brought in clients or followers. If it didn’t, where did it go wrong?

But the more important question is: How did it feel to you? Did it energize you, or did it leave you drained? Marketing should never feel depleting. If it does, it’s time to adjust. For example, you might try switching from a high-intensity strategy like Client Surge to something more spacious, like Client Flow, which applies the same principles but in a way that feels less overwhelming.

The key takeaway here is that values-driven marketing strategies should energize you, not drain you. If a strategy feels draining, it’s probably time to make a change. Also, don’t be afraid to customize your approach. A good strategy should be adaptable to your needs, your audience, and your lifestyle. Test things out and gather data, but always stay true to your values.

How Narration Creates Connection and Trust

I also want to emphasize how narration can make a huge difference in both your sales and coaching. When you narrate, you tell your clients what’s coming next, which makes them feel seen and cared for. It’s about letting them know you’re not just following a script – you’re present and engaged with them.

For instance, if a potential client is hesitant about joining a program like The Hive, you can use narration to gently point out contradictions. If they’ve just shared that they’re struggling to get clients, but then say they’ll try to do it on their own first, you can say, “We’ve just talked about how you’re struggling to find clients – why try to go it alone now?” This helps the client reflect on their behavior and creates a more authentic conversation.

Narration works in coaching too. If you’re feeling pressure to have all the answers, narrate that. It takes the pressure off and lets you focus on serving the client. This approach not only strengthens your coaching but also aligns with values-driven marketing strategies by creating an environment of trust and transparency.

Staying True to Your Values in Marketing

Ultimately, the goal is to build a business that aligns with your values. When you use narration and trust your instincts, you’ll create deeper, more meaningful connections with your clients. This is how you stay true to values-driven marketing strategies. It’s not about fitting into someone else’s formula – it’s about trusting your process and guiding your clients in a way that feels authentic and aligned with your core beliefs.

Listen to this episode and cover the importance of values-driven marketing strategies and how tools like narration can help you stay grounded, connect with your clients, and stay true to yourself. Marketing doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or manipulative. When you trust your values and stay authentic, you can build a successful business that aligns with who you are and the work you’re passionate about.