How to address your audience's misconceptions through storytelling - without attacking them
In 2020, I renewed my financial services licenses like I always had. For nearly two decades, it was automatic - just something I did every year. Renewing those licenses felt like a safety net, a way to tell my former mentors - and maybe myself - that I still had one foot in the door, even if my heart wasn’t in it anymore.
But deep down, I knew the truth: the industry I’d spent so much of my life in had changed, and so had I. I didn't want to do it anymore, but I had no idea what I'd do next.
For years I’d been seeing creators talk about social media and digital business, something I knew absolutely nothing about. It felt like this whole other world, and I didn’t know where to start. So, I started studying. Spent a couple years learning about the tools, strategies, and possibilities. Then, around August of 2023, I decided to give it a shot.
The last 14 or so months have been a whirlwind of figuring things out as I go. I’ve made mistakes, hit roadblocks, and spent a lot of time second-guessing myself. Social media still feels foreign sometimes, even after all that studying. And honestly? The idea of building something sustainable online still feels fragile - like one wrong move could bring the whole thing crashing down.
But even on the tough days, I know this is where I’m meant to be.
Then last week I got a call.
It was from my mentor in financial services, someone I’ve always looked up to. We talked about old times and the state of the industry. And then she said it: “You’ve still got your licenses, right? Why don’t you come back part-time? You can do that while working on your new thing. People are making great money right now.”
It sounded logical. I knew with my skills, I could figure out how to get back in, make some great money... and and and work my full-time job... and and and build my digital business... and and and somehow do it all. For the next few days after our call, I started plotting out how to make it happen.
But the more I worked on the plan, the more unsettled I felt.
By the third night, I couldn’t sleep. At 2 a.m., I grabbed a notebook and started writing. What came out wasn’t a plan. It was a list of questions that had been swirling in my head over the last few days:
What really has me interested in jumping back into the industry again?
Am I going back because it’s my safety net - or because I’m afraid to fully let go of the past?
What kind of life do I actually want moving forward?
Does the industry fit into that?
And the hardest one: Why am I considering going back to a life I already know doesn’t fulfill me?
I didn’t have answers that night, but one thing became clear: every minute I spent looking back was stealing time from what I was trying to build. The next morning, I made a promise - not to stop renewing my licenses, but to stop getting distracted by shiny objects that have nothing to do with my current goals.
This wasn’t about burning bridges or making some dramatic leap. It was about finally committing to what I’d started.
The real safety comes from trusting myself to figure things out in this new world, no matter how messy it gets.
Did you know that 70% of people stick to familiar habits or routines, even when they believe they won’t help them achieve their long-term goals?
Storytelling isn’t just about sharing truths; it’s also about addressing the false beliefs that hold your audience back. Misconceptions - big or small - create mental barriers that make it harder for people to take action.
When you challenge these beliefs, you unlock a new level of connection.
But here’s the thing: tackling misconceptions in your storytelling isn’t about attacking your audience’s beliefs or forcing them to change. It’s about showing them they’re not alone, offering a new perspective, and guiding them toward a better path.
When done right, you build a bridge between where your audience is now and where they want to go.
Here’s how to challenge misconceptions in your storytelling using my C.H.A.N.G.E. Method:
C - Connect with Empathy
Start by acknowledging the misconception without judgment. Reflect their struggles and feelings back to them.H - Highlight the Truth
Gently introduce facts, insights, or perspectives, that challenge the misconception without invalidating your audience’s experience.A - Add Relatable Examples
Use stories (yours or others’) to illustrate how overcoming similar misconceptions has led to positive outcomes.N - Normalize the Struggle
Reassure your audience that believing the misconception is common - it’s not a failure, just a stepping stone.G - Guide with a Solution
Show them what’s possible. Offer a clear, actionable path to overcome the misconception.E - Empower Their Choice
End by affirming their ability to make the change on their own terms. Empowerment, not persuasion, creates lasting transformation.
Why This Works
Misconceptions aren’t just mental barriers - they’re emotional ones.
Your audience’s beliefs are tied to their identity, experiences, and fears. When you challenge those beliefs with empathy and truth, you don’t just inform them - you connect with them.
Think about my story. If I’d went back into financial services after years of phasing myself out, it wouldn’t have been because I wanted to - it would’ve been because of a misconception: the belief that I couldn’t succeed in the digital world. The moment I challenged that misconception, my entire paradigm shifted.
By addressing your audience’s misconceptions, you create stories that transform. You help them see what’s possible and give them the tools to move forward.
Here’s What You’ll Get Out of It
You’ll help your audience see their struggles in a completely new way, breaking down mental and emotional barriers they didn’t even know existed.
You’ll show your audience what’s truly possible with your product or service by sharing specific, eye-opening moments that align with their deepest goals and fears.
You’ll empower your audience to take action confidently by dismantling their doubts and giving them clarity on how to move past them.
“Misconceptions aren’t walls - they’re windows waiting to be opened by the right story.”
Your Turn
Think about a misconception your audience might hold - about themselves, your industry, or even your product/service:
What’s the belief keeping them stuck?
How can you use your own experiences, or those of current customers, to challenge that belief?
What actionable solution does your product/service offer to help them to move forward?
Write it down and shape it into a piece of story-driven content that shifts their perspective and inspires action, i.e:
Misconception About Themselves
Misconception: "I need everything to be perfect before I start my business."
Content Type: Tweet/Thread
Tweet Example: "You don’t need perfect. You need progress. I launched my first business with a single landing page and learned as I went. Stop waiting - start building. Here’s how to begin in under an hour: [link]."
Why It Works: Short and actionable, perfect for grabbing attention on a platform like Twitter. The link can lead to a more in-depth resource, like a blog or guide.
Misconception About The Industry
Misconception: "Social media is too crowded for me to stand out."
Content Type: Lead Magnet (Free PDF Guide)
Title: "Find Your Unique Voice: My 5-Step Guide of How To Stand Out in a Crowded Market"
Hook: "You don’t need to go viral to build a loyal audience. What you need is a strategy that highlights what makes you different. Download this free guide to learn how to find and amplify your unique voice, using my exact system."
Why It Works: A lead magnet positions you as the expert while delivering real value. It shifts their perspective and builds trust by showing them how to solve the problem.
Misconception About Your Product/Service
Misconception: "Hiring a consultant won’t work for me because my situation is too unique."
Content Type: Ad or Case Study
Ad Example:
Headline: "Think Your Business Is Too Unique for Help? Think Again."
Body: "Meet [Client Name], who thought the same - until they started seeing results. Here’s how we tailored a plan that helped them [specific result]. Your challenges aren’t the exception. They’re solvable with the right approach. Learn more: [link]."
Why It Works: Ads or case studies provide social proof and address their specific belief with a real-world example of someone like them achieving success.
Your audience isn’t just waiting for your expertise - they’re waiting for you to show them the way forward.