How to Use Storytelling to Build a Loyal Audience (And Maybe Even a Cult Following)

The Difference Between an Audience and a Cult Following

Let’s be honest: getting an audience these days isn’t rocket science.

Post something semi-interesting, use the right hashtags, and boom—you can get a few likes, a handful of comments, maybe even a viral post if the algorithm is in a good mood.

But having real, loyal, die-hard fans?
People who not only consume your content but ride for you?
That’s a whole different ballgame.

The Key Difference? Relatability.

A regular audience likes your content.
A cult following sees themselves in your content.

The “I Know This Person” Effect

Ever wonder why some creators blow up fast and stay relevant, while others fade away after their 15 minutes of internet fame? It’s because the ones who last aren’t just content machines—they’re connection machines.

Think about your favorite creators, comedians, or influencers. The ones you actively seek out rather than just scrolling past.

What do they all have in common?

They make you feel like you know them.

• You get their humor.
• You understand their personality.
• You feel like you’d actually get along with them in real life.

That’s why fans don’t just watch Mr. Beast’s videos—they defend him like he’s their actual friend.

It’s why Hasan Minhaj’s audience doesn’t just laugh at his jokes—they see their own experiences reflected in his stories.

It’s why stand-up comedians with cult followings don’t just entertain—they make you feel like you’re part of their world.

How to Turn Casual Viewers into Lifelong Fans

If you want people to stick around, champion your work, and share your content like it’s gospel, you need to make them feel like:

✅ They relate to you – Your struggles, your awkward moments, your human side.
✅ They belong to something – A community, a shared inside joke, a movement.
✅ They know the real you – Not a polished persona, but the actual person behind the screen.

When people feel personally invested in you, they don’t just consume your content…

They make it part of their identity.

That’s the difference between an audience and a cult following.

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The Power of Relatability

Here’s the biggest mistake people make when trying to build an audience:

They try to sound impressive instead of relatable.

They flex their biggest wins.
They showcase their highlight reel.
They polish every word to perfection.

And sure, that might make them look successful, but it won’t make them likable.

People Don’t Bond Over Achievements—They Bond Over Struggles

Let’s break this down with a real example.

Shaan Puri, a successful entrepreneur, once found himself at a billionaire’s dinner—the kind of event where every handshake feels like a high-stakes networking opportunity.

So, naturally, he wanted to nail his introduction.

He crafted the perfect speech:

• Highlighted his business successes.
• Polished every word to sound impressive.
• Threw in just enough credential flexing to belong in the room.

After dinner, his friend pulled him aside and said:

“That was the worst intro ever.”

What Went Wrong?

Shaan had done what most people would do in that situation—he tried to impress.

But the right move wasn’t to sound accomplished—it was to be relatable.

If he had told a funny, self-deprecating story, he wouldn’t just have grabbed attention, he would have won people over.

Because here’s the thing:

✅ Nobody wants to be impressed—they want to connect.
✅ Nobody remembers polished intros—they remember great stories.
✅ Nobody bonds over success—they bond over shared human experiences.

Relatability > Perfection

The best way to build a loyal audience isn’t to look flawless—it’s to show that you’re human.

The more real you sound, the more people will care.

So next time you introduce yourself, post content, or tell a story—ditch the flex and find the funny, honest, or awkward moment instead.

That’s what makes people remember you.

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Vulnerability Sells (And Why It’s Not as Scary as You Think)

Most people avoid vulnerability because they think it makes them look weak.

In reality? It makes you unforgettable.

Why Vulnerability Works

When you open up about failures, awkward moments, or personal struggles, people don’t judge you—they relate to you.

Think about your favorite comedians. They don’t just tell jokes; they tell the truth—usually about how much of a disaster they are.

• Kevin Hart? A millionaire, yet half his jokes are about how he’s too short to reach things.
• Hasan Minhaj? Opened his Netflix special by talking about how his fertility struggles almost broke him.
• Mr. Beast? Shows his failures just as much as his successes—because people love to watch the journey, not just the highlight reel.

Owning Your Imperfections = Instant Connection

Here’s the truth: people admire success, but they connect over struggle.

If all you ever post are polished wins and humblebrags, people will respect you—but they won’t feel close to you.

But if you tell a story about:
✔️ The time you completely embarrassed yourself in a meeting.
✔️ The first video you posted that flopped.
✔️ That one mistake that taught you a lesson.

People won’t just listen—they’ll see themselves in your story.

Ask Yourself This:

What’s something embarrassing or challenging that happened to you, that others can relate to?

Tell that story.

And instead of trying to sound impressive, try to sound human.

Because at the end of the day, relatability beats perfection—every time.

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Humor Is Your Secret Weapon

Want people to like you instantly?

Make them laugh.

Why Humor Works Like Magic

Laughter isn’t just about cracking jokes—it’s about breaking down walls.

• Laughter lowers defenses. It turns skeptics into supporters.
• Laughter creates emotional bonds. People feel closer to those who make them laugh.
• Laughter makes people want to stick around. It’s why we binge-watch sitcoms and rewatch stand-up specials.

That’s why comedians don’t introduce themselves by saying,
“Hi, I’m an extremely talented and intelligent person.”

Instead, they crack a joke—because humor instantly makes them relatable.

You Don’t Have to Be a Comedian—Just Be Human

You don’t need a Netflix special to use humor effectively. You just need to be willing to:

✅ Laugh at yourself. People love when you’re confident enough to admit your own ridiculous moments.
✅ Point out relatable struggles. Everyone loves a good “we’ve all been there” moment.
✅ Use humor to make your audience feel like insiders. Running jokes, callbacks, and memes create community.

Humor Turns Strangers into Fans

Think about it: Who are the people you gravitate toward in real life?

Probably not the person who talks about their achievements non-stop.
But definitely the person who can tell a great story with a well-timed joke.

The same rule applies online.

If you can make people laugh, you can make them stay.

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Low-Stakes Moments Win More Hearts

Most people think great stories need to be epic, dramatic, or life-changing.

But the truth? The smaller the moment, the better the story.

The Brussels Sprout Story

Imagine this: You’re at an executive retreat, surrounded by high-level professionals. Everyone’s going around the room, sharing big, important stories about their work struggles.

Then, Shaan Puri decides to take a different approach.

Instead of talking about business strategies or leadership challenges, he tells a story about how he tried to cook Brussels sprouts for his mom… and completely failed.

The room? Hooked.

Why Did This Story Work?

1️⃣ It was unexpected. Everyone else was being serious. He flipped the script.
2️⃣ It was relatable. We’ve all had moments where we tried (and failed) to impress someone we care about.
3️⃣ It made people laugh. And laughter is the fastest way to create a connection.

And guess what?

That’s the story people remembered the most.

The Real Lesson?

The best stories aren’t about success—they’re about tiny, relatable struggles.

• The time you spilled coffee all over yourself before a big meeting.
• The moment you confidently walked into the wrong Zoom call.
• The childhood story of trying to run away from home… but only packing snacks.

People don’t just want to hear big wins.

They want stories that make them go, “OMG, that’s so me.”

Next time you tell a story, don’t chase “epic.”

Find the small moment.
Find the human moment.
That’s what wins hearts.

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How to Structure Stories for Maximum Impact

Want people to actually remember and share your stories?

It’s not just what you say—it’s how you say it.

Great storytelling follows a structure that hooks attention, builds connection, and delivers a payoff. And the best part? You don’t need a wild, life-changing story to make it work. You just need to follow this simple formula:

The Storytelling Formula

1️⃣ Hook: Get attention fast.

• Start with something dramatic, funny, or unexpected.
• First impressions matter—don’t start slow.

2️⃣ Relatable Struggle: Make people see themselves in the story.

• Show the problem, awkwardness, or challenge that sets up the moment.
• The more universal it feels, the stronger the connection.

3️⃣ Escalation: Make the stakes clear.

• What’s in the way?
• Why does this moment matter?
• Even small stakes work—just make them feel big in the moment.

4️⃣ Punchline or Payoff: End on an emotional note—humor, insight, or resolution.

• Either make people laugh, drop a great takeaway, or deliver an unexpected twist.

Example: The Brussels Sprout Disaster

👉 “I tried to cook dinner for my mom to prove I was an adult… and almost burned my kitchen down.”

✅ Fast Hook: Sets up curiosity and drama in one sentence.
✅ Relatable Struggle: Everyone’s tried to impress someone and failed.
✅ Clear Stakes: He just wanted to cook a simple meal… now it’s a disaster.
✅ Funny, Self-Deprecating Payoff: He wasn’t proving his adulthood—he was proving he still needed supervision.

And boom—you’ve got a memorable, shareable story.

Why This Works Every Time

Whether you’re posting on social media, speaking on stage, or just telling a friend a funny story, this formula keeps people engaged from start to finish.

Because at the end of the day, great storytelling isn’t about being impressive—it’s about making people feel something.

So next time you tell a story, ask yourself:

🔹 Did I hook them right away?
🔹 Can they see themselves in this?
🔹 Did I build some stakes—even small ones?
🔹 Did I land the punchline or takeaway?

Nail those four things, and you’ll never tell a boring story again.

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Final Takeaways: How to Make People Follow You for Life

Want to build a loyal audience—the kind that sticks around, shares your content, and actually cares about what you have to say?

It’s not about being the smartest, the most successful, or the most polished.

It’s about being real.

Here’s the formula for creating an audience that doesn’t just watch—you, but rides for you:

✅ Be relatable, not impressive.

• People don’t bond over your achievements.
• They bond over struggles, awkward moments, and universal experiences.
• Nobody remembers that time you made six figures in a week.
• But everyone remembers that time you got locked out of your hotel room in your pajamas.

✅ Share small, everyday moments.

• The best stories aren’t about winning the lottery or surviving a plane crash.
• They’re about burning your toast, texting the wrong person, or failing to cook Brussels sprouts for your mom.
• If your audience sees themselves in your stories, they’ll keep coming back.

✅ Use humor.

• If they laugh, they’ll like you.
• If they like you, they’ll follow you.
• Humor isn’t about being a stand-up comedian—it’s about not taking yourself too seriously.
• Self-deprecating humor? Instant connection.

✅ Be vulnerable.

• Don’t be afraid to share failures, mistakes, and moments of doubt.
• It makes you human.
• People respect success, but they fall in love with imperfection.
• The more you show your real self, the more people will root for you.

The Secret to Long-Term Loyalty? Make People Feel Something.

At the end of the day, people don’t follow content—they follow people.

They follow the creators who make them:
💡 Think (Wow, I never saw it that way before).
😂 Laugh (OMG, that’s totally me).
❤️ Feel something real (I relate to this so much).

If you can do that consistently, you won’t just have an audience—you’ll have a fanbase that stays with you for life.