Sometimes the best marketing move is to stop marketing
It was mid-afternoon, and the grocery store line was stretching longer than usual. My Dad and I stood behind a young cashier who looked ready to collapse. Her tight smile didn’t quite mask the exhaustion in her eyes.
My dad nudged the divider forward with our items and leaned in slightly.
“You’ve been holding this place together today, haven’t you?” he said, his voice warm and easy.
The cashier blinked, surprised. “It’s been a long shift,” she said quietly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“Well,” my Dad continued, “it shows. You’re doing an amazing job. This store is lucky to have you.”
I watched as her whole posture change. Her shoulders lifted, her smile softened, and for a brief moment, she looked lighter.
“Thank you,” she said. “That… really means a lot.”
Later, as we loaded the car, I couldn’t help but ask, “Dad, why did you say that?”
He paused, closing the trunk, and said, “The Emotional Bank Account.”
“The whet?!?!?”
He leaned against the car, arms crossed.
“It’s simple. Every relationship is like a bank account. Withdrawals are the asks - your time, energy, attention. Deposits are the gives - kindness, encouragement, support. If you only make withdrawals, the account dries up. But if you keep making deposits, there’s always goodwill when you need it most.”
I nodded, but it didn’t fully sink in until years later.
Fast-forward to my content creation days. Every expert swore by the same formula: End every post with a call-to-action - click, share, buy. It felt like the only way to grow.
And at first, it worked.
Metrics went up. Sales trickled in. Engagement seemed steady.
But over time, the cracks began to show.
Comments became fewer and less thoughtful. Replies to my newsletters started with “No offense, but...” or “I miss when...” And then came the email that made me freeze:
“I loved your stories before. Now everything feels like… an ad.”
I sat there, staring at the screen, thinking about my dad in the grocery store. My posts had turned into withdrawals. All asks, no deposits.
I realized I needed to change - not just my approach, but my mindset.
Giving Without Asking
The next day, I tried something different.
I wrote a story about an idea I’d been struggling with - one that hadn’t worked out. No tidy ending, no lesson wrapped in a bow. I didn’t include a CTA. I didn’t link to anything. I just shared how it felt to fail, to wrestle with doubt.
What happened next floored me.
Replies poured in. Some shared similar failures, others offered advice, and a few just thanked me for being honest.
That post taught me a lesson I’ll never forget:
Not every story needs an ending. Not every story needs an ask.
Let's be real - you're tired of the "just wake up earlier" and "batch your content on weekends" advice that ignores the reality of your life. Between your day job, relationships, and basic human needs like sleep - traditional storytelling strategies just aren't cutting it.
Every minute you spend wrestling with generic templates or forcing yourself into someone else's storytelling box is a minute you're not connecting with your audience or growing your business. Your unique voice deserves better than cookie-cutter solutions.
My Substack works with your brain, not against it. I’ve stripped away the BS to create something that feels as natural as talking to a friend, while secretly being powered by neuroscience concepts that WORK.
Imagine the relief of having a storytelling approach that actually fits your life - one that lets you be yourself while still driving real connection and growth. No more choosing between authenticity and impact.
You get to have both, even with a full calendar.
Why This Works
Trust Is Earned Through Generosity
When you share without strings attached, people feel it. They trust you more because you’ve given them something valuable without asking for anything in return.Stories Without a Bow Leave a Mark
When you don’t tie your stories up neatly, they linger. Instead of focusing on what action to take, your audience reflects on the story itself—and what it means to them.Deposits Build Reserves for the Future
When you consistently give, you create a reservoir of goodwill. Then, when you eventually make a withdrawal (like a CTA), your audience feels ready to respond.
I Challenge You To Forget the CTA
This week, take a bold step in your storytelling: tell a story with no call-to-action.
Here’s how to approach it:
Step 1: Choose an Unresolved Story
Pick a moment that’s raw or personal - something that doesn’t yet have a tidy resolution. Focus on:
A challenge you’re currently facing.
A lesson you’re still trying to understand.
A moment that left you with lingering questions.
Step 2: Write With Emotion, Not a Solution
Share the story without trying to teach or sell. Focus on the human experience:
What were you feeling in the moment?
Why does this moment stick with you?
What’s still unresolved?
Step 3: Let It Stand Alone
End your story naturally. Don’t add a pitch, a link, or even a question. Let the audience linger with the story itself.
Step 4: Observe the Response
Post your story and see what happens.
Are people engaging differently?
Do they open up about their own experiences?
Take notes on the comments and replies. Use them as a way to connect more deeply with your audience.
Step 5: Reflect on the Power of Giving
After the week, reflect on what you learned from the experience:
Did the lack of a CTA change how your audience engaged?
How did it feel to share without asking for anything in return?
Every time you tell a story without a CTA, you’re making a deposit into your audience’s emotional bank account. Over time, these deposits build trust, connection, and loyalty.
Start small. Tell one story this week without asking for anything in return.
Trust the power of giving.
Prefer listening to reading sometimes? Want an extra layer?
Press play for the ‘Narrated Insights’:
Today’s Mega-Prompt: "Raw Story Development Guide"
Do you ever feel like the stories you share need to be pretty, solved, or tied up with a neat bow? Today’s mega-prompt invites you to try something different. Paid members get access to a prompt that helps you create and share raw, unresolved moments - the ones that feel the realest and spark the deepest connections. No calls to action, no lessons, just honest, open storytelling.
Here’s a sneak peek:
"Adopt the role of a Content Development Specialist specializing in authentic storytelling and building audience connection… your task is to guide users in creating stories without promotional endings or calls-to-action."