StoryBrand Marketing Agency
StoryBrand Your
Business Without
the Guesswork
We implement a StoryBrand-driven strategic marketing system that attracts, nurtures, and retains your ideal clients, so you can focus on what you love (which, let's face it, is probably not copywriting and marketing).
Clarify Your Message
Attract Only Ideal Customers
Focus on Your Business Growth
Struggling to implement StoryBrand?
Are you finding it challenging to create a clear, engaging StoryBrand BrandScript on your own?
Unsure how to effectively integrate StoryBrand into your marketing?
Overwhelmed with what steps to take after completing your BrandScript?
Frustrated with marketing efforts that don't resonate with your audience?
Struggling to focus on your actual business?
You have a great business, and you're excellent at what you do. But if you're caught up chasing the latest marketing tactics – from SEO to social media and more – you're losing time that could be invested in growing your business.
WHERE STORYBRAND MEETS STRATEGY
You deserve marketing that works
Experience the clarity and efficiency of a well-crafted marketing plan tailored to your business and powered by StoryBrand.
Transform your marketing with a StoryBranded message that cuts through the noise, ensuring your brand resonates with your target audience.
See tangible results as your business attracts and retains the right clients (seemingly on autopilot), leading to sustainable growth and success.
With a StoryBrand-powered plan in place, spend less time worrying about marketing and more time on what you love – growing your business, spending time with loved ones, and all that good stuff.
You deserve peace of mind
Grow your B2B business with our strategic marketing services.
Do you find the lead generation process frustrating and time-consuming?
Save valuable time and focus on serving your clients.
Gain the upper hand in your market.
Set up a strategic marketing system that attracts and nurtures your ideal clients.
Feel confident with a solid, strategic marketing plan.
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.
Hi, I'm Vicky Sidler
A StoryBrand Certified Guide & Fellow Entrepreneur
And believe me, I GET IT! I understand the frustration of marketing that just doesn't seem to work. I know what it's like to feel lost in a sea of tactics and strategies. When I started my agency in 2020, I was just a small fish in a big pond, trying to stand out from whale-sized competitors. (I’m also a qualified scuba diver, in case you’re wondering about these metaphors…)
Since then, we developed a proven, data-driven marketing strategy (powered by StoryBrand) that has helped both us and countless clients get noticed, attract the right customers, grow their ideal client base, and make an impact with their marketing and their businesses.
We boast a proven track record of transforming marketing messages to resonate with target audiences.
As StoryBrand Certified Guides, we apply the renowned StoryBrand Framework to everything we do with impressive results!
And as a Duct Tape Certified Agency, we’ve gone through an extensive certification process to offer you a holistic, systematic approach to marketing – a system that truly works.
You don’t have to do this alone. Together, we'll take your marketing from confusing to crystal clear. Let's make your brand's message stand out and connect with the people who matter most to your business.
I used the StoryBrand ‘one-liner’ yesterday for the first time to create some awareness on my various social media platforms. I have never had so many likes and interest on one of my coaching ads before. I am booking some consultations as we speak. You guys are amazing!
Tracey Clark, Business Coach
StoryBrand Services We Provide
Clarify Your Message
From US$1,500
Let us help you refine and perfect your StoryBrand messaging. We'll work with you to fine-tune your StoryBrand BrandScript, ensuring it resonates with your target audience and aligns with your brand's identity.
We even interview your ideal customers to get their point of view and make sure you've nailed it!
Learn More About Our StoryBrand Framework Consultation
StoryBrand Sales Funnel
From US$5,000
Specializing in the creation of the Marketing Made Simple Sales Funnel, we develop effective landing pages, engaging lead generators, and persuasive email sequences - all within the StoryBrand framework.
Install the full StoryBrand system into your business.
Learn More About Our StoryBrand Sales Funnel Development
Strategic Marketing Engagement
From US$7,500
Our Strategy First Engagement is a deep dive into your current marketing, where we’ll identify your ideal clients, map out your customer journey, craft a customized marketing plan, nail your BrandScript, and more.
Make sure you're doing it right from the start!
Why Choose Us?
Strategy-First Approach
At the Strategic Marketing Tribe, we apply the StoryBrand framework as our cornerstone, ensuring that your marketing plan has a clear and coherent message that speaks directly to your customers’ needs and desires.
Consistent Lead Generation
Kiss those unpredictable and mismatched leads goodbye. Leveraging the StoryBrand principles, we help you craft messages that consistently attract the right clients, ensuring a reliable flow of high-quality inquiries.
Save Time and Effort
Let us handle the complexity of crafting and applying your StoryBrand BrandScript. With our StoryBrand-focused approach, we streamline your marketing efforts, enabling you to dedicate more time to what you're passionate about – growing your business.
Gain A Competitive Edge
Elevate your business with a marketing message shaped by StoryBrand, positioning your brand as the clear choice in your industry. Our strategic, story-driven method ensures your business stands out to your ideal clients, giving you a competitive advantage.
Amazing! I needed help clarifying my message for my website. The Strategic Marketing Tribe helped me do this using the StoryBrand Framework. I can even use the BrandScript we made for the rest of my marketing material.
Matthew Van Neel, Lance Mvn
[Free eBook] 7 Steps to Small Business Marketing Success
Submit your info to download a copy of our free Book, which will guide you through the seven steps to build an effective marketing system.
How It Works
Here’s what you can expect when
partnering with us:
Book Your Free Consultation
Complete the form below and schedule a time that works for you. We’ll meet and talk about your business, goals, and current messaging.
StoryBrand Strategy Session
In our StoryBrand Strategy Session, we’ll dive deeper into your business to see what you’re doing now and where there are opportunities to integrate the StoryBrand framework effectively.
Start Applying StoryBrand
You get to keep all the ideas we come up with during this strategy session – absolutely no obligation.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on the latest strategic marketing insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are our answers to the most frequently asked questions about marketing and lead generation.
What is StoryBrand?
StoryBrand is a marketing framework developed by Donald Miller that helps businesses clarify their message so it resonates with their target audience. It centres around creating a story for your brand where the customer is the hero, and your business is the guide that helps them overcome their challenges and achieve their goals.
How can StoryBrand help my business?
Implementing the StoryBrand framework can transform how you communicate with your customers. It simplifies your message, making it easier for customers to understand how your products or services can solve their problems. This clear communication helps increase engagement, conversions, and customer loyalty, ultimately driving growth for your business.
What does the process of creating a StoryBrand BrandScript involve?
Creating a StoryBrand BrandScript involves identifying key elements of your brand's story, such as defining your customer's problem, positioning your brand as the guide with a solution, and outlining a plan that leads the customer to success. This script serves as the foundation for all your marketing materials, ensuring a consistent and compelling message across all platforms.
How do I choose the right StoryBrand guide for my business?
Be sure to choose a StoryBrand guide who prioritizes strategy over tactics. A strategic-first approach ensures your marketing is built on a solid foundation, preventing wasted time and resources in the long run. Look for a guide focused on aligning your core message and goals before diving into marketing actions, ensuring your efforts attract the right leads and drive meaningful results.
Learn More about StoryBrand
and Strategic Marketing Insights
From the Strategic Marketing Tribe
Take a deep dive into the world of strategic marketing insights,
where you’ll find expertise to help your business thrive.
Good Luck Getting VC Funding If You’re Not An AI Startup
By Vicky Sidler | Published 5 December 2025 at 12:00 GMT+2
The startup world has always played favorites. In the 90s, it was anything with a dot com. In the 2010s, it was social apps for people who didn’t want to talk to each other in person. And now? If your business doesn’t have artificial intelligence in the name, the pitch deck, and the fridge magnets, investors may not even open your email.
According to Bloomberg, new data from PitchBook shows 2025 is set to become the first year where more than half of all global VC money goes to AI startups. Not tech in general. Just AI.
TL;DR:
AI startups have taken 53 percent of global VC investment in 2025
In the US, that number is nearly 63 percent
Fewer startups overall are getting funded
Unless you’re an AI brand or a big name, you’re likely out of luck
👉 Need help getting your message right? Download the 5 Minute Marketing Fix.
Table of Contents:
Good Luck Getting VC Funding If You’re Not An AI Startup
What the Numbers Actually Say:
Small Business Translation: What Does This Mean for You?
Why Everyone Suddenly Sounds the Same:
The Real Takeaway—Clarity Beats Hype:
1. Meta’s AI Spending Spikes But There’s No Product
2. OpenAI’s $27B Loss Could Tank the Whole AI Industry
3. AI Industry’s Profit Problem Just Got Real
4. Is Generative AI Worthless? Maybe That’s a Good Thing
5. AI Will Make the Rich Richer—But It Might Also Backfire Spectacularly
Frequently Asked Questions About AI Dominating VC Funding in 2025
1. What percentage of VC funding went to AI startups in 2025?
2. Why are investors putting so much money into AI?
3. Does this mean non-AI startups can’t get funding?
4. What does “bifurcated market” mean in this context?
5. Should small business owners care if they’re not looking for funding?
6. Will this AI trend affect small business marketing?
7. What’s the risk of jumping on the AI bandwagon too fast?
8. What’s a better strategy than chasing hype?
9. How can I make my small business message stand out right now?
What the Numbers Actually Say:
Let’s start with the headline figures. According to PitchBook:
VC firms have invested $366.8 billion in 2025 so far
$192.7 billion of that went to AI
In the latest quarter, 62.7 percent of US VC funding was AI focused
Globally, 53.2 percent of venture money went to AI startups
These numbers are not gentle suggestions. They are neon signs flashing "Go AI or Go Home."
PitchBook’s director of research Kyle Sanford described the trend as a “bifurcated” market. You are either building in AI or you are not. You are either a big name or you are not. And if you are not both, good luck getting a call back.
Small Business Translation: What Does This Mean for You?
Now, if you are not building a venture-backed startup, you might think this has nothing to do with you. But hang on.
This funding shift impacts everything. From what tech becomes affordable, to what tools you’ll use next year, to which marketing trends get picked up and which ones die quietly behind a paywall.
When VCs shift billions of dollars toward a single category, that category floods the market with tools, platforms, and SaaS solutions claiming to solve every possible problem. Including ones you did not know you had.
And because most of that AI money is going to well-known names like Anthropic, it is not fuelling broad innovation. It is concentrating power. Fewer startups, bigger cheques, more polished pitches.
Which means:
Small businesses will be sold AI tools whether they need them or not
Marketing content will be increasingly AI-generated and increasingly similar
Non-AI startups and service providers will struggle to get noticed, no matter how good they are
Why Everyone Suddenly Sounds the Same:
The AI flood has another side effect. The sameness problem.
AI makes it easier to produce content. But it also makes it easier for everyone to say the same thing. When half the internet is built using similar tools trained on the same data, the result is a blur of interchangeable voices.
For service-based businesses, this is a risk.
If your brand starts sounding like the latest AI tool trying to explain synergy and deliverables, your actual value gets buried under buzzwords.
That’s not strategy. That’s noise.
The Real Takeaway—Clarity Beats Hype:
Here’s the part most small business owners forget. You are not trying to win VC money. You are trying to win trust.
And trust is not built by throwing AI keywords into your headline like seasoning on a bad steak.
It is built by:
Explaining clearly what problem you solve
Showing that you understand your customer’s pain
Making it easy for them to say, “Yes, that’s what I need”
Whether the rest of the market is AI-hyped or not, clarity still wins.
As a StoryBrand Certified Guide and Duct Tape Marketing consultant, I help businesses strip back the fluff and speak directly to what matters.
No jargon. No guessing. Just one clear message that customers get.
If that sounds refreshing, here’s a starting point.
👉 Download the free 5 Minute Marketing Fix.
Related Articles:
1. Meta’s AI Spending Spikes But There’s No Product
If this article helped you see where the money’s going, this one explains what happens when even the biggest players forget to build something useful.
2. OpenAI’s $27B Loss Could Tank the Whole AI Industry
While VC money floods AI, this post shows what happens when the revenue doesn’t follow.
3. AI Industry’s Profit Problem Just Got Real
If you’re wondering whether the AI boom will last, this article breaks down where the cracks are starting to show.
4. Is Generative AI Worthless? Maybe That’s a Good Thing
Sick of AI hype? This one explores how small businesses can win by doing the opposite of what’s trendy.
5. AI Will Make the Rich Richer—But It Might Also Backfire Spectacularly
Learn why big investments might lead to big regret—and how small businesses can avoid following them off a cliff.
Frequently Asked Questions About AI Dominating VC Funding in 2025
1. What percentage of VC funding went to AI startups in 2025?
So far in 2025, AI startups have taken 53.2 percent of global VC investment. In the US, that number is even higher at 62.7 percent.
2. Why are investors putting so much money into AI?
VCs are betting big on AI because they believe it will reshape nearly every industry. The hype, the market potential, and a few big success stories are attracting most of the funding.
3. Does this mean non-AI startups can’t get funding?
It’s getting much harder. PitchBook data shows fewer startups are being funded overall, and most of the money is going to large, well-known AI players. If you're not in AI, you’ll need a very compelling story to stand out.
4. What does “bifurcated market” mean in this context?
It means the market is split. You're either building in AI, or you're not. You're either a big, visible brand, or you're struggling to raise at all. There’s not much middle ground left in VC circles.
5. Should small business owners care if they’re not looking for funding?
Yes. VC money shapes what tools, tech, and trends reach your industry. Even if you're not raising capital, you’ll feel the ripple effects in your software, marketing tools, and customer expectations.
6. Will this AI trend affect small business marketing?
Absolutely. Expect more AI-generated content, more sameness in messaging, and more pressure to stand out with clarity and originality. The tools may get smarter, but your brand voice still needs to be human.
7. What’s the risk of jumping on the AI bandwagon too fast?
You might spend money on tools you don’t need, dilute your message with jargon, or start sounding like everyone else. If your service isn't AI-driven, trying to fake it won’t help your growth—it might confuse your audience.
8. What’s a better strategy than chasing hype?
Clear messaging. Know your customer, solve a real problem, and say what you do in plain language. Trends come and go, but clarity converts.
9. How can I make my small business message stand out right now?
Use a framework like StoryBrand to clarify your message. Focus on the problem you solve, the transformation you offer, and the next step a customer should take. You don’t need to shout. You need to make sense.
10. Where can I get help clarifying my message?
You can start with the5 Minute Marketing Fix. It’s a free tool that helps you write one clear sentence that shows people what you do and why it matters.
Become the Next StoryBrand Success Story
In the world of business, feeling overwhelmed by marketing strategies that don't deliver can be disheartening.
At the Strategic Marketing Tribe, we understand that you might be unsure on how to effectively apply the StoryBrand framework and perhaps hesitant about investing in yet another marketing solution.
Our approach is designed to alleviate these concerns:
We offer a completely free strategy session that’s designed to help you with some great ideas for marketing your business. These ideas are 100% yours to keep – and there is no sales pitch to endure (not even a secret one).
What’s the catch? Well, if you’d like help with finalizing your StoryBrand Framework or implementing any of the tactics we discuss, we hope that you’ll consider us.
Best of all? If you’re not completely blown away by the work we do for you, we’ll give you a full refund. Sure, it’s a massive risk for us because we can’t undo the delivery once it’s been made, but we are so confident in the value our service provides that a guarantee is a no-brainer.
With our expert guidance, you can shift your focus from marketing worries to what you do best – growing your business, spending time with those you love, and enjoying the success that comes with clear, effective strategy.
Ready to take the guesswork out of your StoryBrand marketing?
Let’s get started
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)