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5 Kinds of Stories to Share to Go Viral

Eric Fung Admin

I'm super excited to share something special with you all. As a startup founder, I've learned a ton about the ups and downs of creating something from scratch. I want to take you on this journey with me, not just by telling you what we're doing but by showing you those viral stories. 

I'm going to open up about everything – from the big dreams that keep us going to the challenges that make us stronger. 

Image from Forbes by Pudgy Penguins 

1. The Journey Story: The Rollercoaster of Startup Life

Think of the journey story as the epic tale of your startup. It's not just a straight line from point A to B but a wild ride with ups, downs, twists, and turns. It's about sharing not just where you're going but the hurdles you jump over and the unexpected paths you take along the way. These stories aren't just exciting; they show how tough and dedicated you and your team are, which makes people cheer for you even harder.

Here is a video dedicated to the incredible Build in Public video campaign that Luca Schenetzler did about Pudgy Penguins journey. 

Video from Youtube by Luca Schnetzler

What he did here with his team is incredible. The Pudgy Penguins Expedition Luca Schnetzler's adventure with Pudgy Penguins in the NFT world is like a modern-day treasure hunt. Before he dived into the digital realm, Luca was already making waves with his hip-hop jewelry business, blending culture with bling. When he jumped into NFTs, he didn't just start a business; he started a movement. From crafting cool jewelry to pioneering in the NFT space, Luca's journey shows how mixing passion with innovation can lead to incredible adventures.

 https://getpercs.com/blog/from-opensea-to-walmart-the-unprecedented-web3-journey-of-pudgy-penguins/

2. The Behind-the-Scenes Story: The Human Side of Startups

Everyone loves a sneak peek behind the magic curtain. When we share the making of a product, what our office life is like, or how we chill out after a crazy day, it adds a personal touch. It's a reminder that behind every cool startup, there are real people working hard, facing challenges, and having fun along the way. 

3. The Challenge Story: Overcoming Failures

These stories go very deep into the tough spots we've hit, the walls we've run into, and how we found our way around them. It's all about being open about the problems, our strategies for tackling them, and what happened as a result. Sharing these stories does more than just show off our problem-solving skills; it builds trust and respect for our team's resilience and ingenuity.

Example: Airbnb's Creative Beginnings Imagine being so determined to get your idea off the ground that you end up selling cereal boxes to keep it alive. That's exactly what the Airbnb founders did. Faced with financial hurdles, they got creative and sold themed cereal, showcasing their determination and creativity. This story is a testament to thinking outside the box (pun intended) and the power of not giving up. 

Discover Airbnb's early hustle here at this link: https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/How-A-Box-Of-Cereal-And-Acting-Like-A-Cockroach-Helped-Airbnb-Become-A-Billion-Dollar-Business/articleshow/21270791.cms

4. The Customer Success Story: Solutions in Action

There's nothing more powerful than hearing how someone faced a problem and found the solution with your product. Sharing these real-life tales, with honest feedback or case studies, highlights the impact of what we offer. It shows future customers exactly how they could benefit too.

5. The Vision Story: Dreaming Big

Finally, where are we heading? What's our big dream? The vision story paints a picture of our long-term goals and the mark we want to leave on the world. It's inspiring and brings our audience together around a shared dream. This story is key to building a community that shares our values and aspirations.

Here is Jack Ma - Alibaba Founder: This video outlines the journey of Jack Ma, from facing repeated rejections to founding Alibaba, one of the world's largest e-commerce platforms. It's a story of dreaming big and finding perseverance, vision, and the relentless pursuit of an idea despite facing numerous setbacks​.

Video from Youtube by Startup Stories

By weaving together these five types of stories, we create a rich, multi-dimensional narrative of our startup. It's not just about selling a product; it's about inviting people into our world, sharing our dreams, our challenges, and our victories. It's about building connections on a deeper level. And remember, like Paul Yacoubian from CopyAI shows us, being open about your journey can build a supportive and engaged community around your brand.