DOWNSTAGE MEDIA BLOG
MESSAGING AND CONTENT MARKETING FOR B2B
The StoryBrand Guide Podcast Launches with Annie Figenshu and Tyler Pigott
StoryBrand Guides have access to keynotes, frameworks, and tools designed to help them grow their businesses. The challenge is figuring out how to turn those resources into client work and revenue. That’s what inspired an internal StoryBrand pilot called What Does This Make Possible? Today, that idea has evolved into the StoryBrand Guide Podcast, co-hosted by Annie Figenshu and Tyler Pigott.
StoryBrand BrandScripts vs Soundbites: When a StoryBrand Certified Guide Uses Each
Should you use a StoryBrand BrandScript or the PEACE Framework? The answer depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Learn when to use each framework, how they work together, and why understanding the difference can help you create better marketing, faster.
Why People Leave Your Website Without Taking Action
Businesses assume they need a bigger audience. But many customers tune out much earlier than that. It just isn’t clear to them what the business does or why it matters to them. This post breaks down how messaging friction slows down sales, referrals, and conversions, and how to spot it before it costs you more business.
Annie Figenshu to Host Live Session on How Businesses Can Simplify Their Marketing Message to Increase Customer Engagement
Most businesses aren’t losing customers because their product is bad. They’re losing customers because their marketing is too hard to understand. Downstage Media’s upcoming live session, How to Talk About Your Business So People Actually Buy, will teach founders and B2B business owners how to simplify their talking points so customers engage faster and buy with more confidence.
Downstage Media Launches “From Scramble to System” Workshop for Founder-Led Brands
Most founder-led brands generate ideas faster than their teams can publish them. In this live workshop, Annie Figenshu introduces the Content Production Team framework, a simple system that helps small teams publish content more consistently without overwhelming the organization.
For Marketers, Content Creation Is Easy. Knowing What Audiences Trust Is Another Story.
Content is easier to create than ever, and audiences are skeptical of its authenticity. If brands don’t adjust, their content will continue to be ignored. This post shares insights from The Marketing Algonquin, a private roundtable of New Jersey-based marketers, on the shift from creation to curation so your content earns what’s hardest to win: audience trust.
Messaging for Leaders: What Improv Teaches About Clear Communication
Most leaders have a hard time communicating clearly, which leads to checked out teams and missed opportunities. This post breaks down how improv principles fix that, so your ideas actually land and your audience gets on board.
Create a Visual Identity That Tells the Right Story
If your visual identity doesn’t match your message, people feel the disconnect before they understand why. In this conversation with designer Lee Seidenberg, we break down how to create a visual identity for thought leaders that reinforces authority instead of diluting it. Read on.
Why Your Network Matters When Budgets Are Tight
Budgets are tighter, trust is harder to earn, and content alone doesn’t carry the same weight it used to. This post explores why your network has become part of what clients are really buying, and how intentional relationship-building increases trust, retention, and long-term value.
What to Put in Place So You Hit Your Goals All Year
New goals are easy to set in January. What’s harder is sticking to them when motivation fades later in the year. This post breaks down the three supports every business needs so progress doesn’t disappear in February, May, or the middle of summer.
How to Use Your StoryBrand BrandScript (Examples Included)
If your marketing feels scattered, you’re not alone. Most experts, founders, and speakers work way too hard for far too little traction because their message isn’t clear. This guide walks you through how to use a StoryBrand BrandScript to simplify your message, strengthen your content, and make marketing finally feel doable.
What Thought Leaders Can Learn from Junk Mail About Clearer Websites
If you’re a thought leader or the face of your brand, you’ve probably invested in a beautiful website that may not convert the way you want. In this post, web designer Kristin Madeja shows you how direct response marketing principles can help your site move people from “This looks nice” to “I’m ready to book.” You’ll learn about clarity, calls to action, testing, and photography, so your audience takes action.
How to Name Your Offer So It Actually Sells
If you keep calling your work “consulting” or “just working with me,” you are shrinking the perceived value of your expertise. The right name turns a loose idea into a structured offer that clients understand, remember, and trust. This post shows you how to name your offers and processes so they feel valuable, future ready, and easier to sell. Keep reading if you want clients to say yes faster.
What Is a StoryBrand Certified Guide? (And Why the Title Changed. And Then Changed Back)
Confused about StoryBrand Certified Guide vs Coach? Here’s what changed, why it changed back, and what it actually means for your marketing.
History By Mail Preps Its Shark Tank Pitch with Downstage Media
When Ari Siegel, founder of History By Mail, landed a coveted spot on Shark Tank, he turned to Downstage Media for help crafting a pitch that would resonate with both the Sharks and millions of viewers. Here’s how we shaped the message, rehearsed every word, and got ready for a once-in-a-lifetime moment on national TV.
Follower Count Doesn’t Matter as Much as You Think
You don’t need a massive following to grow your business—you need a smart content strategy and the right systems. In this post, Annie Figenshu breaks down why email marketing still outperforms social media, how to build trust with a smaller audience, and what to focus on if you’re ready to stop chasing followers and start seeing results.
StoryBrand for Blog Posts, Videos, and Emails
You like how StoryBrand makes your customer the hero, but applying that same thinking to blog posts, videos, and emails is a little murkier. This post shows how to use the StoryBrand framework as a jumping off point for your content marketing efforts. The result is customer-focused content that’s easier to create and more effective at building relationships.
Why Taking Action After a Conference Is Key
After attending a retreat or conference, your head is full of fresh ideas and strategies that could drive your business forward. But without a plan to act quickly, those sparks of inspiration could fade. In this post, we’ll cover why it’s crucial to block time for implementation right after an event and offer practical steps to turn those ideas into long-term growth.
Why Service-Based Businesses Can’t Afford to Ignore Holiday Marketing
Service-based businesses often overlook holiday marketing, but with the right strategy, you can stand out, boost engagement, and increase revenue. By focusing on what your clients need for the new year and automating your marketing, you’ll position your business for long-term success. Don’t let the season pass you by—take charge of your holiday campaign today!
Make the Most of the Holiday Rush: Expert Tips to Boost Your Campaigns
Get your email marketing ready for the holiday rush with a fully optimized email funnel before Halloween. Personalization is the key to boosting engagement and driving sales, as Mailchimp’s "This Holiday, It’s Personal" report shows that targeted emails can increase open rates by 29%. Start now and let your automated email campaigns work seamlessly through the busiest shopping season, leaving you free to focus on your business.