AWARD-WINNING storybrand certified guide
Where strategy meets Story
Tired of explaining what you do over and over?
Meet the award-winning StoryBrand Certified Guide, Vicky Sidler, who translates what you do into something people actually understand. And when your message finally makes sense, people start saying yes.
✓ STORY THAT SELLS
✓ STRATEGY THAT STICKS
✓ MARKETING THAT WORKS
Watch This Video
Before you scroll, watch this. StoryBrand just made a big move — they brought back the title StoryBrand Certified Guide. Sounds small, but it’s a smart reminder that clarity always wins.
In this quick video, I explain why the change matters, what it means for small businesses, and why your words might be costing you more than your ads.
HI, I'm Vicky Sidler
And I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER TOO
When I started my South African agency in the middle of a global lockdown, I thought, “Perfect timing—let’s open shop while the world closes.” Competing online against global agencies felt like bringing a teaspoon to a sword fight.
But here’s the thing: small businesses are scrappy. We adapt, we learn fast, and when something doesn’t work, we fix it.
That’s what I became a StoryBrand Certified Guide and built the Strategic Marketing Tribe to help other founders do—cut through the noise, get noticed, and build marketing that actually earns attention instead of begging for it. I use proven frameworks like StoryBrand and Duct Tape Marketing to turn “we’re still figuring it out” into “we’ve got this.”
If you’ve ever felt invisible next to bigger competitors, you’re in good company. I’ve been there—and I know it’s possible to stand out without selling out.
Hear Directly from DONALD MILLER
In this short clip, StoryBrand’s founder Donald Miller explains why clear messaging and a simple marketing plan change everything.
Donald shares why newsletters are back, what a full StoryBrand campaign includes, and how a certified guide helps you focus on what actually works—without wasting money or time.
Watch to see how working with a StoryBrand Certified Guide can make a measurable difference for your business.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Marketing shouldn’t feel like guesswork, manipulation, or interpretive dance. It should make sense — to you and your customers.
As a StoryBrand Certified Guide, we keep things simple with a few core rules:
Clarity beats cleverness. Every. Single. Time.
Strategy before tactics. Otherwise, you’re just rearranging chaos.
Respect the reader. They’re giving you their attention—don’t waste it.
Systems over stress. Good marketing should work even when you’re not.
Small business ≠ small ambition. You can build something great without pretending to be a Fortune 500 brand.
Dogs are the greatest. But cats are great too.
OUR TRACK RECORD
As a StoryBrand Certified Guide
We’ve helped hundreds of small and midsized businesses—consultants, agencies, security firms, virtual assistants, hospitality brands, and manufacturers—create marketing that finally clicks. No hype. Just clear words, smart systems, and measurable results.
FROM STATIC SITE TO SALES MACHINE
A national security firm came to us with a website that looked impressive but didn’t actually do anything. We rewrote the homepage using the StoryBrand Framework, clarified their services, and aligned their offer with real customer pain points. Within 3 months, inbound leads 10xed—without touching their ad budget.
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FROM PANIC TO PREDICTABLE PIPELINE
A virtual assistant agency was relying on referrals, crossed fingers, and caffeine. We built a StoryBrand message, installed Duct Tape Marketing’s hourglass system, and created an automated lead funnel. Now they have a steady stream of qualified leads—and more sleep.
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FROM OVEREXPLAINING TO OVERACHIEVING
A consultancy’s services page read like a legal document. We simplified their message, restructured the content, and designed a logical next-step offer. Conversions jumped immediately—proving that when you stop trying to sound smart, people start listening.
HOW WE DO IT
We combine StoryBrand (for clarity) with Duct Tape Marketing (for structure). Every headline, email, and landing page has a job—and if it doesn’t earn its keep, it doesn’t stay.
WHY WE’RE DIFFERENT
You’ve probably met a few “StoryBrand-trained” marketers before. Some are excellent. Others just read the book and started selling “clarity” like it’s an essential oil.
We’re not that.
We’re fully certified, actively trained, and the only South African agency certified in both StoryBrand and Duct Tape Marketing. We don’t just talk about frameworks—we use them daily in real businesses with real stakes.
And while we’re at it, we’re also winners of the 50Pros Top 10 Global Leader Award—which is a fancy way of saying the work holds up on a world stage.
By combining StoryBrand’s clarity with Duct Tape Marketing’s structure, we build something rare: a brand that sounds as good as it actually is. One that attracts the right people — without shouting.
The result? Marketing that finally feels like you.
Meet The Tribe
We’re small, on purpose. Every project gets our full attention. These are the client-facing humans behind the clarity.
Vicky
Founder & CEO
The brains and charm behind the Strategic Marketing Tribe, who somehow manages to blend strategy, storytelling, and caffeine into marketing that actually works.
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Lizé
CFO
The financial wizard keeping the numbers (and occasionally the rest of us) in line. She makes sure every bright idea stays profitable—and practical.
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Sage
Head of Content
The mastermind who ensures every word, video, and campaign lands exactly where and when it should. If it sounds smart, it probably went through Sage first.
Also forming part of our Tribe is a full crew of creative specialists—from video and design to SEO and paid media—all working quietly (and occasionally loudly) to make your brand impossible to ignore.
READY TO FIX YOUR MARKETING?
Let’s talk.
Book a free coffee-chat consultation, and we’ll take a quick look at what’s working, what’s not, and how to simplify it all.
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BOOK A COFFEE CHAT
This is a no-pressure, non-sales call where we discuss what’s working, what’s not, and where you want to go.
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CHOOSE YOUR PATH
Get hands-on support through the StoryBrand Course, 1:1 or team coaching, or let me build the entire marketing system for you—messaging, website, emails, and more.
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FIX YOUR MARKETING
Walk away with a message that resonates, a plan that’s easy to follow, and marketing that works while you sleep and finally delivers results.
If you’re not ready for a chat, start small with the 5-Minute Marketing Fix—a quick exercise that helps you write a one-liner that actually makes people get it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are our answers to the most frequently asked questions about Strategic Marketing Tribe, a StoryBrand Certified Guide.
What is a StoryBrand Certified Guide?
A StoryBrand Certified Guide is a marketer trained directly by Donald Miller’s team to use the StoryBrand Framework—a proven seven-part process for clarifying your message so customers actually listen. In plain English: we help you stop sounding like a brochure and start sounding like a human.
Do you only work with small businesses?
Mostly, yes. We work best with founder-led service businesses—the kind where the owner is still close enough to the work to care about quality and reputation. But if you’ve managed to grow without losing your humanity, we’ll probably get along fine.
What makes you different from other StoryBrand marketing agencies?
We’re the only South African agency trained—and certified—in both StoryBrand and Duct Tape Marketing. That means you don’t just get pretty words or clever tactics. You get a complete system that makes sense from strategy to execution. Oh, and we’re award-winning—50Pros Top 10 Global Leader—which looks very nice on the shelf.
Can you really fix confusing marketing?
Yes. But only if you’re ready to be honest about what’s not working. We’ll help you clarify your message, streamline your system, and create content that sounds like you—not a robot or a committee.
Do you offer once-off projects or ongoing support?
Both. You can book a one-off project to fix your messaging, or ongoing support if you want your marketing to actually stay fixed. We also offer coaching if you’d rather learn to do it yourself (with us in your corner).
What’s the first step?
Book a coffee chat. It’s not a sales pitch; it’s a conversation. We’ll talk about what’s working, what’s not, and whether we’re the right fit to help. Worst case, you’ll leave with clarity. Best case, you’ll finally have marketing that works.
Is your Marketing Message so confusing even your own mom doesn’t get it? Let's clarify your message—so everyone wants to work with you!
Created with clarity (and coffee)