Every brand wants to go viral. But while the goal of creating something that spreads like wildfire is universal, the path to achieving it is anything but. What is viral marketing? It’s the strategy of crafting highly shareable content that captures attention and motivates people to spread the message. It’s not just about luck or timing—it involves understanding your audience and creating content that resonates with them. And brand storytelling tools can help you do that.
Table of Contents
- Importance of Brand Storytelling
- How to Do Brand Storytelling
- 15+ Best Brand Storytelling Tools
- 10 Brand Examples Using Storytelling
- Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo
Importance of Brand Storytelling
Most brands aim to be memorable. But that’s not enough. In a crowded marketplace, you must be unforgettable. To do that, you need to focus on brand storytelling.
Your story will set you apart and help you connect deeply with your audience. Storytelling will increase your brand favorability in your audience’s eyes and can be up to 22 times more memorable than facts.
Ask yourself:
- What do you want to be remembered for?
- What message do you want to transmit to your audience, and what do you never want them to forget?
Consider the emotion you want to evoke in your audience when interacting with your brand. Your audience may forget what you say, but they will not forget how you made them feel (which is essential because emotions drive purchases more than logic).
How to Do Brand Storytelling
Here’s a thorough response that addresses your outlined questions and requests. It's organized into sections with engaging headers for easy reading.
What is Viral Marketing? 12 Key Things to Know
Viral marketing is a strategy that encourages individuals to share a company’s message, often through social media, to help it gain popularity. The goal is to reach a large audience quickly and inexpensively.
Viral marketing is often associated with humorous or entertaining content, but can also include:
- Emotional stories
- Parodies
- Helpful information
While there’s no formula for creating viral content, brands can increase their chances by understanding their audience, being authentic, and making high-quality shareable assets.
Related Reading
- What Is Considered Viral on Twitter
- How Many Likes Is Viral
- How Many Views Is Viral on Twitter
- Importance of Viral Marketing
- What Does Going Viral Mean
- Content Marketing Storytelling
- Core Components of Modern Marketing
- Storytelling Marketing Examples
15+ Best Brand Storytelling Tools
1. Crayo AI: Revolutionizing Short Video Creation
Crayo AI streamlines the process of creating short videos, allowing users to generate an unlimited number at once. This tool automatically produces captions, effects, background music, and more, making creating engaging content for platforms like TikTok easy.
Users simply input prompts, select customization options from Crayo’s templates, and export their videos in minutes. This tool simplifies video production and helps creators tap into monetization opportunities through the TikTok Creator Fund. Experience Crayo’s free clip creation tool today. No account is needed to get started.
2. Shorthand: Visual Storytelling Made Easy
Shorthand is a platform designed for immersive, scroll-based storytelling. Thanks to Shorthand's user-friendly, no-code editor, brands can create visually rich narratives without any coding knowledge.
The tool integrates multimedia elements seamlessly and produces responsive designs on any device. However, Shorthand can be pricey for smaller teams and is not the best choice for real-time content.
3. Canva: Versatile Design for Every Story
Canva is a widely used, drag-and-drop design tool that supports various storytelling formats, including:
- Infographics
- Social media posts
- Video
- Presentations
Its intuitive interface and extensive template library make it easy for anyone to create polished content. While Canva offers a free tier, users should note that internet access is required, and advanced customization options are limited compared to Adobe products.
4. Prezi: Dynamic Presentations That Engage
Prezi offers a unique presentation experience with its zooming user interface. This approach allows for nonlinear storytelling that can captivate audiences and break the monotony of traditional slides.
Prezi is cloud-based and easy to share, but some users may find navigation challenging, and text formatting options are limited.
5. ThingLink: Interactive Media for Layered Stories
ThingLink enables users to add interactive hotspots to images, videos, and 360-degree media. This feature encourages exploration and deeper engagement with content, making it ideal for educational purposes and brand experiences.
ThingLink’s visual customization options are somewhat limited, and loading times may be slow on less reliable networks.
6. Visme: Comprehensive Design for Storytelling
Visme is a design platform that creates infographics, reports, and brand narratives. Users can access templates tailored for storytelling, collaborate with team members, and analyze content performance.
Some advanced features are only available in paid plans, and new users may experience a learning curve.
7. Tilda: Beautiful Websites for Visual Narratives
Tilda is a website builder optimized for storytelling. Its modular design approach allows users to create visually stunning sites without any coding skills.
Tilda’s extensive library of customizable blocks enhances creative flexibility, but it may not integrate as seamlessly with external tools as full-fledged content management systems.
8. Adobe Express: Streamlined Creative for Branded Content
Adobe Express (formerly Spark) is a straightforward tool for creating:
- web pages
- Videos
- Graphics
It features an intuitive interface, integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud, and offers a library of:
- Templates
- Fonts
- Design assets
Users should note that some advanced features require an Adobe subscription, and the free version has limited output options.
9. StoryMapJS: Maps as a Storytelling Device
StoryMapJS is an open-source tool for location-based storytelling. Users can create interactive maps incorporating text, images, and multimedia elements to enhance narratives.
The platform is free to use but may require some technical knowledge to navigate, and media embedding options are somewhat limited.
10. Animoto: Cloud-Based Video Creation Made Simple
Animoto is a user-friendly video creation service that helps users quickly make marketing and storytelling videos. The platform includes a library of licensed music tracks and customizable templates for various content types.
However, free version users will encounter watermarked videos, and customization options are more limited than those of some advanced editors.
11. Infogram: Interactive Data Visualizations
Infogram is a tool for creating interactive charts, maps, and infographics. Users can import real-time data from various sources, and the platform’s responsive designs work on any device.
Some chart styles may appear similar, and advanced branding features require a paid subscription.
12. Adobe Premiere Rush: Simplified Video Editing and Creation
Adobe Premiere Rush is a streamlined video editing tool that allows users to create story-driven content quickly. The mobile-friendly platform works across devices, and users can easily integrate projects with Adobe Premiere Pro for advanced editing.
Features are limited compared to complete Adobe programs, and a subscription is required for complete access.
13. Lumen5: AI Video Creation for Marketers
Lumen5 leverages AI to transform text content into engaging videos. Users can easily input blog posts or scripts, customize video styles, and access a library of licensed music tracks and visuals.
While Lumen5 is excellent for social media content, free version users will encounter watermarked videos, and AI-driven outputs may require manual adjustments.
14. Knight Lab TimelineJS: Interactive Timelines Made Easy
TimelineJS is a free, open-source tool for creating interactive timelines. Users can input data from Google Sheets, and the platform automatically generates timelines that include multimedia elements for enhanced engagement.
TimelineJS’s visual impact is impressive, but it requires structured spreadsheet formatting, and design options are somewhat basic.
15. Medium: Thoughtful Writing and Built-In Audience
Medium is a writing platform that emphasizes quality storytelling and minimal distractions. The site’s built-in audience encourages sharing and readership, and its straightforward publishing tools prioritize the writing experience.
However, branding options are limited, and Medium may not be ideal for visually heavy stories.
16. Pitch: Collaborative Presentations for Modern Teams
Pitch is a contemporary presentation tool that focuses on collaboration and storytelling. Users can collaborate in real time to create polished presentations, and the platform features a variety of templates and design options.
Although Pitch is still growing in features compared to PowerPoint, it offers a sleek interface and web-based accessibility.
10 Brand Examples Using Storytelling
1. Nike – “Dream Crazy”
Why it works: This campaign showcases genuine stories from athletes who have triumphed over obstacles, including Colin Kaepernick, whose polarizing views sparked national dialogue.
Storytelling Strength: The narrative emphasizes themes of empowerment, perseverance, and social justice.
Key Impact: It fostered a deep emotional bond with consumers and achieved extensive viral distribution.
2. Dove – “Real Beauty” Campaign
Why it works: Dove’s initiative disrupts conventional beauty norms by highlighting relatable women of various shapes, sizes, and ethnicities.
Storytelling Strength: The campaign is rooted in sincerity and promotes messages of self-acceptance and body positivity.
Key Impact: It shifted the conversation around beauty standards and established Dove as a brand committed to real women.
3. Apple – Product Launch Videos & “Shot on iPhone”
Why it works: Apple’s storytelling approach features user-generated content and minimalistic aesthetics that spotlight powerful, everyday moments.
Storytelling Strength: The campaigns highlight simplicity and empower users to express their creativity with Apple products.
Key Impact: They reinforce trust in Apple’s innovative brand while encouraging consumers to experiment with its technology.
4. Airbnb – “Belong Anywhere”
Why it works: The campaign shares heartfelt stories from hosts and travelers that illustrate the value of cultural connections and feeling at home anywhere.
Storytelling Strength: It emphasizes human connection, diversity, and community.
Key Impact: “Belong Anywhere” humanizes the Airbnb brand and makes it resonate with consumers personally.
5. Google – “Year in Search”
Why it works: Google’s annual video combines user data and significant world events to create an emotionally impactful narrative.
Storytelling Strength: It features reflective, poignant storytelling that resonates with viewers.
Key Impact: The campaign helps to humanize Google by showcasing its role in everyday life.
6. Coca-Cola – “Share a Coke”
Why it works: The campaign replaced the iconic Coke logo with popular names, encouraging personalized sharing.
Storytelling Strength: It focuses on personalization and invites user participation.
Key Impact: The effort went viral globally and helped boost Coca-Cola sales while reinforcing brand loyalty.
7. Lego – “Rebuild the World”
Why it works: Lego’s imaginative campaign encourages creativity and play through whimsical, childlike storytelling.
Storytelling Strength: It taps into themes of nostalgia, community, and boundless imagination.
Key Impact: The campaign connects with both children and adults, reinforcing Lego’s brand values.
8. Patagonia – Environmental Advocacy
Why it works: Patagonia's storytelling highlights its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.
Storytelling Strength: The narrative illustrates the brand’s purpose, activism, and efforts to protect the planet.
Key Impact: Patagonia’s advocacy content fosters consumer trust and loyalty by aligning with their values.
9. Spotify – “Wrapped”
Why it works: Spotify’s annual tradition provides personalized insights into users’ listening habits, generating excitement and sharing.
Storytelling Strength: It blends data with personal touches to create shareable, engaging content.
Key Impact: Wrapped campaigns consistently go viral and foster user pride while promoting Spotify.
10. Warby Parker – “Buy a Pair, Give a Pair”
Why it works: The campaign highlights Warby Parker’s charitable efforts and impact by sharing stories from people needing glasses.
Storytelling Strength: It emphasizes social impact, accessibility, and the brand’s mission.
Key Impact: The initiative helps turn customers into brand advocates while reinforcing purpose-driven values.
Related Reading
- Viral Marketing Examples
- Viral Marketing in Digital Marketing
- Viral Social Media Posts
- Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content
- Types of Viral Marketing
- How to Go Viral on X
- How to Get More Reach on Twitter
- How to Viral Post on Instagram
- Benefits of Twitter for Business
- Pros of Using Twitter for Marketing
- How to Promote Instagram Page
- How to Trend on Twitter Quickly
- Instagram Marketing Strategies
Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo
Viral marketing is a strategy to create content that spreads quickly and widely online.
It focuses on tapping into:
- Emotions
- Creating shareable content
- Using social media and influencer
To reach a large audience. The goal is to generate brand awareness, engagement, and conversions through low-cost, high-impact campaigns.