Brand storytelling and narrative marketing are closely related, but they are distinct. Both focus on using stories to build connections with audiences, yet their scope and purpose differ.

Brand storytelling is the practice of telling a brand’s own story. It highlights the company’s history, mission, values, and vision. The aim is to humanise the brand and make it relatable. For example, a brand might share how it started in a small garage, the challenges it overcame, or the passion that drives its founders. Brand storytelling creates a sense of authenticity and helps customers understand who the brand is at its core.

Narrative marketing, on the other hand, is broader. It doesn’t just tell the brand’s story but builds a larger narrative around the customer’s experience and the role the brand plays in their lives. Instead of focusing only on the company, narrative marketing frames the customer as part of the story. The narrative might demonstrate how the brand enhances daily life, addresses problems, or assists customers in achieving their goals.

In short, brand storytelling is about the identity of the company, while narrative marketing is about weaving the brand into a bigger, ongoing story that resonates with customers. Together, they create a powerful strategy: one builds authenticity, and the other drives engagement.