Building trust with short-lived content

5 Microstory Examples That Build Trust in Less Than 3 Minutes You don’t need long-form essays to earn trust. Most people don’t even read past the second paragraph. That’s why I use microstories: short, emotional, and specific moments that reveal who you are in under 3 minutes. Here are 5 types of microstories you can use to build trust—fast: 1. The Moment You Changed Your Mind → Trust is built when people see growth, not perfection.
Example:
“I used to think discounts were the fastest way to win customers.
 Then a client told me, ‘Your advice changed my business I would’ve paid 3x for that.’
I stopped undervaluing my work that day.” 🟢 Why it works: Shows humility + transformation. 2. The Vulnerable First Step → People don’t trust you because you’re an expert. They trust you because you’ve been where they are.
 Example:
“My first client didn’t even know I was charging them. I just wanted to help.
Looking back, that eagerness came from insecurity. But it taught me the value of service over selling.” 🟢 Why it works: Relatability + authenticity. 3. The Customer's Tipping Point → Tell the before, the doubt, and the aha.
 Example:
She told me, "I’ve tried every course. Why would yours be different?" Five days into the Microstory Journey, she replied:
 "You’re the first person who made me feel like this was possible.’” 🟢 Why it works: Builds belief through someone else’s lens. 4. The Internal Battle → Trust deepens when we share what we wrestled with.
 Example:
“I almost scrapped my launch.
 Not because it wasn’t ready, but because I wasn’t.
 Fear doesn’t disappear. But it loses power when you move anyway." 🟢 Why it works: Reveals the messy middle we all live in. 5. The Unlikely Lesson → Share wisdom from everyday, even odd, places.
 Example:
“My 4-year-old asked, "Why do you work so much if you don’t like it?"
I didn’t have an answer. That night, I mapped out the first version of the business I run today.” 🟢 Why it works: Surprising source + deep emotional truth. Bottom line?
 People don’t trust credentials.
 They trust moments.
 Moments that reveal your values, struggles, and growth. That’s why I built the Microstory Journey... a 5-day experience that turns tiny stories into big trust. 👉 Which of these 5 are you using right now? ♻️ Share if this shifted your marketing mindset 🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more strategic growth insights

If you don’t have a visibility rhythm, you don’t have visibility. Ghosting your audience isn’t a brand strategy. Because here’s the truth no one likes to talk about: It’s not your talent. It’s not your offer. It’s not your pricing. It’s your disappearing act. You show up strong for a few weeks. You post with purpose. Your energy is magnetic. And then... Life gets full. Client work piles up. Family needs you. Your calendar implodes. So your content goes quiet. Your visibility drops. And the people watching? They move on. This is something I see all the time... especially with new transitioners. You’ve just left the 9-5. You’re navigating your own rhythm. Trying to build and deliver at the same time. And visibility? Feels like the first thing to go. But here’s what you need to hear: Inconsistency is trust’s fastest enemy. If you’re building a business on expertise… People need to see that expertise. Regularly. Repeatedly. Not just in your highlight reel. Not just in your "I’m back!" posts. But in the ordinary weeks, too. In the messy middle. In the real moments. And your authority? It’s not built in launch weeks. It’s built in the quiet middle. The moments no one sees... except the right people who are watching. If you’re in that early stage of consultancy or business Still trying to find your groove The question becomes: How can you show up in a way that doesn’t burn you out… But builds your presence and trust over time? That’s why you need a visibility rhythm. And it starts with these 3 essentials: ★ Profile → Your profile is your digital first impression. → A chance to tell your story → Show your values and explain how you help. → It should be maintained regularly. ★ Content → Whether you’re sharing your own posts, adding insight to others’, or resharing value → Your content is your signal. → It keeps you visible, top of mind, and relevant. ★ Engagement → Visibility isn’t just about creating. → It’s about connecting and conversations. → Comments and DMs build trust. You don’t need to be everywhere. You don’t need to post every day. You just need to build your rhythm. Because if they can’t find you, They can’t hire you. Let’s stop ghosting your potential. P.S. Which of these three (Profile, Content, or Engagement) are you skipping right now? P.P.S. Have you noticed yourself falling into the stop-start cycle? Let’s chat about how to break it - your visibility depends on it.

If you’re running sponsor comms during race week, here’s the playbook I give every client to turn short-term attention into long-term leverage. 1/ Anchor your leadership message before the noise starts. Pick 1 line. Plain English. Big conviction. This becomes your filter for everything. Executive voice, race-week assets, LinkedIn posts. Example: “We back the future of sustainable high-performance racing.” 2/ Pre-map the outcomes you want to drive. Miami’s more than a race. It’s a stage. List the 3 things you want this deal to create: – B2B conversations – Executive visibility – Customer proof Now write to lead those, not react to team hype. 3/ Publish real proof Race-week content should show: – Your product or team in action – On-site or online engagement – Execs being present, not passive – Momentum sparked by the partnership If it’s buried in a PDF, it’s already forgotten. 4/ Pre-schedule the post-race comms. No one remembers a one-and-done drop. Plan this now: – Mid-season wins – Stakeholder insights – Customer traction – Brand POV shifts This is how trust compounds. 5/ Track the outcomes that build renewal leverage. Don’t measure hype. Measure momentum: – B2B lead flow – Customer lift – Exec visibility – Strategic mentions These shape your next 3 deals. Sponsors win trust by turning moments into momentum.

You’re posting content consistently. You’re active. Showing up. Sharing thoughts. But still… no traction. No trust. No real results. Your words look fine. The format is clean. The tone feels right. But something’s missing. Most likely? Your content is just filling space, not building trust. Here’s how you know: ✅ It talks at people, not to them ✅ It says what everyone else is saying ✅ It looks good but feels generic ✅ It offers tips but lacks real connection That’s the difference between being seen and being remembered. We helped a client shift from polished but empty posts to clear, helpful storytelling. Within weeks, their engagement doubled, and actual leads started coming in. They didn’t post more. They just posted better. ✔ Clear message ✔ Human voice ✔ Actual value → If your content isn’t building trust, it’s not doing its job → Make every post something your audience can feel, not just read ------------------------------ Your voice is your brand. Use it with intention.

The biggest gap between your content and conversions: It’s not your hook. It’s not your offer. It’s TRUST. If your audience doesn’t feel safe, seen, or understood, they won’t buy. Trust is the bridge between visibility and results. Here are the 5 trust-builders I always return to: 1. Show your process.     Don't just say “we hit 50K.” Share how you got there? What worked. What changed. What broke.     2. Share what didn’t work.     People relate to honesty. The “I messed this up and here’s what I learned” kind of posts build instant connection.     3. Use their words, not yours.     Don’t use fancy jargon. Speak like they do. Write how they’d say it to a friend. When people feel seen, they start to trust you.     4. Show proof.     Ideas are easy to ignore. But stories, screenshots, and client wins are hard to scroll past.     5. Give more than you take.     Value builds trust. If someone scrolls your feed and learns something without you asking for anything, that matters. Which of these do you need to double down on? 🔁 Share it with a creator who’s skipping straight to selling.