How My Client Went from 10K to 20K by Sharing Her Story (and So Much More)
A few weeks ago, I flew down to Charleston, South Carolina, to work with a client on her content.
When we first met, she told me that for the longest time, it felt like the creative world was passing her by and she wasn’t participating. She had the ideas, the talent, even the desire — but something always got in the way. Then one day, she decided to stop waiting. She pulled the trigger and started creating.
She posted consistently. She launched a Substack. She made Reels and TikToks that consistently went viral! And by the time she reached out to me, she had already crossed the 10,000 follower mark on Instagram.
By all external measures, she was doing incredibly well. But there was still a part of her that wanted to bring more depth, storytelling, and artistry to her content. She used a word I really liked… she said. “I want to have range.”
That’s when I suggested an in-person workshop.
Most of the work I do on content and personal branding can happen virtually. But when someone’s ready to go deeper and stretch creatively, to experiment, to build confidence in front of the camera — there’s nothing quite like being in the same room. Especially when the work is personal.
So we planned a day together in Charleston.
Here’s what we did:
Reviewed and updated all her platforms: Instagram, TikTok, Substack, and her website
Mapped out her long-term goals and reverse-engineered a content plan
Rewrote her bios
Filmed B-roll and lifestyle content in and around Charleston
Practiced filming and camera angles at her home, so she could confidently shoot solo content
NOTE: She told me she often had ideas for videos but struggled to execute them the way she imagined. Watching someone physically position the camera, find the light, and move with creative rhythm helped her see it differently. That kind of embodied learning is hard to replicate on Zoom.
The Power of Storytelling Videos on Social Media
One of the main things we focused on was helping her script and produce her first storytelling reel — this would be a short, cinematic piece with layered B-roll and a warm, intentional voiceover (a piece of writing that re-introduced her story and gave people a clear understanding of what her page is all about).
She posted this video a day after our workshop, and within 72 hours, that video went viral on both Instagram and TikTok.
She sent a screenshot of her analytics (see above), and I’ll be honest, I got goosebumps! That’s what storytelling does when it’s done well. It doesn’t just entertain, it makes people feel something. It invites them in. It reminds them they’re not alone. And that is what we’re all really after at the end of the day.
When You Tell the Truth, People Listen
My trip to Charleston reminded me that real, creative momentum doesn’t always come from more strategy or more content. Sometimes, it comes from:
Having someone reflect your vision back to you
Expressing yourself as a whole person, not just a “brand”
Sharing the story you’ve been too afraid to say out loud
When you show up with clarity, warmth, and a little creative fire — that’s when everything changes.
One week later, my client sent me a voice message:
“Hi, I was just thinking about you this morning, and wanted to send you some love. I cannot believe that within a week of just using my artist and making content that's good with your help, I'm almost to 20k followers. That's crazy!”
The Real Takeaway: Range Is the New Niche
Remember, storytelling isn’t the only kind of content that works. You don’t need to tell a personal story every time you post. And honestly? You shouldn’t.
What my client does so well, and what’s continued to fuel her growth, is range.
She pairs story-driven videos with simple, slice-of-life moments. She shares trending audios. Outfit videos. Clips of her home. Soft visuals paired with short captions. She doesn’t overthink it. She just keeps showing up, and every piece of content adds dimension.
Some posts are deep. Some are playful. Some are quick. Some are crafted.
It’s that blend that keeps people coming back.
Storytelling is powerful. But it’s even more powerful when it’s woven into a content ecosystem that reflects who you are, not just what you do. And that’s what builds long-term connection.
Ready to Find Your Range?
If you’re craving more depth in your content, or want support creating work that actually feels like you, I’d love to help.
Whether you’re just starting to show up online or you’ve hit a plateau and want to stretch creatively, I’ll help you clarify your message, lean into your unique voice, and build a content rhythm that reflects the full range of who you are.
