Many women are doing powerful work in their communities, organisations and businesses, but too often, that work remains invisible. It’s not seen because it isn’t valuable, it’s being missed because the story isn’t being told.

During a recent Do it Now Now storytelling, media and public relations workshop led by personal branding coach and Top PR & communications consultant Ronke Lawal, Ronke reminded participants that storytelling is not about self-promotion. It's about clarity, connection and making your work visible to the people who need to see it.

Stories build trust, credibility and relationships. They help people understand not just what you do, but why it matters. The workshop explored how storytelling can build trust, highlight credibility, make you relatable and support media engagement and profile building.

So how do you tell your story in a way that connects, rather than overwhelms?

Here are some simple tips from the session.

 

Be clear about your audience and your purpose

One of the key messages from Ronke’s workshop was that before telling your story, you must be clear about two things:

1. Who is this for? (Funders, media, community, employers, partners?)
2. What do I want this story to do? (Secure funding, raise awareness, inspire action?)

Clarity about audience and purpose changes everything. The same story can be told differently depending on who you are speaking to and what you want the outcome to be.

 

Avoid trying to tell your whole life story

One of the most common mistakes people make is trying to say everything at once.

Strong storytelling is not about telling your entire journey. It is about telling the right part of your story for the right audience at the right time. Keep it focused and purposeful.

 

Use a simple structure — Beginning, Middle, End

Ronke introduced a simple storytelling structure that can be used for media, funding applications, public speaking, and personal introductions:

• Beginning (Context) – What is the problem? What were you trying to achieve? What was the barrier?
• Middle (Action) – What did you do? What happened? What was your approach?
• End (Result) – What changed? What did you learn? What is the impact?

This structure helps your story stay clear, focused and memorable.

 

Showcase the human part of your story

People don’t just connect with what you do. They connect with why you do it.

During the workshop, Ronke shared a case study of an entrepreneur named Maya, who initially struggled to grow her business because people could not see the story behind her work.

When Maya began sharing the story behind her garments, the women who produced her fabrics, and the purpose behind her brand, her message became clearer and more powerful.

 

Include emotion, authenticity and lived experience

A key part of the workshop focused on adding a personal, human element to your story.

Participants were encouraged to reflect on questions such as:

• What obstacles have you overcome?
• Who has made a difference in your life?
• What are you grateful for?
• When have you achieved something that felt impossible?

These are the elements that make people listen and remember your story.

 

Don’t wait until everything is perfect before you share your story

Many women delay visibility because they feel they are “not ready yet”.

But storytelling is not something you do when you have reached the end of the journey. It is something you do while you are in it. Your story is still valid even if you are still building, still learning, still growing.

 

Stories make invisible work visible

One of the most powerful takeaways from the session was: Stories make invisible work visible.

Storytelling, media and public relations are not just for large organisations or public figures. They are tools that can help women leaders, community organisations and social enterprises gain visibility, support and recognition.

Sometimes, the first step is very simple: Start telling your story. Clearly. Purposefully. And in your own voice. Because storytelling isn’t about ego. It’s about visibility, credibility and influence.

 

Storytelling checklist

Before you share your story, ask yourself:

• Who is my audience?
• What is the purpose of this story?
• What is the problem or need?
• What did I do?
• What changed?
• What is the human story here?
• What do I want people to do after hearing this?

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