Stories are 22 times more memorable than just facts. Memorability is the first step in gaining an edge over the competition. The next step is getting customers to act.
Guess what? Storytelling can help with that, too. Nearly one-third of consumers are more likely to buy from a brand when that brand’s stories resonate with them.
A strong story builds emotional connection, creates trust, and gives audiences a reason to care. It’s why some brands feel human while others feel forgettable. And in a crowded B2B and B2C landscape, storytelling has long been the key to standing out.
That hasn’t changed. And it’s not going to.
What has changed is how stories are discovered, interpreted, and surfaced, especially as generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and GEO (generative engine optimization) reshape how buyers find information.
Today, your story isn’t just being read by humans. It’s being summarized, extracted, ranked, and (hopefully) cited by machines. And if your content isn’t structured for that reality, even the most engaging story may never be read.
Optimizing for GEO doesn’t mean abandoning creativity. It means pairing narrative with structure.
Think of it as telling two stories at once:
- One for humans
- One for machines
…and weaving them together into a cohesive piece.
So how do brands achieve this?
Let’s break it down.
Strong Storytelling Is Good for the Brand and Sales
At its core, storytelling works because it mirrors how humans think.
Stories:
- Create meaning from complexity.
- Help audiences remember ideas.
- Build emotional resonance and trust.
- Position brands as guides, not sellers.
Stories help buyers understand why a product or service matters to them, not just what it does.
Before GenAI, brand marketing often followed a linear journey:
- A human finds your content.
- They read the full piece.
- They absorb the narrative as you intended.
That path no longer exists.
The Problem: Great Stories Aren’t Always LLM-Friendly
LLMs don’t experience content the way people do.
They don’t “feel” emotional arcs or brand voice. They extract signals:
- Clear concepts
- Explicit relationships
- Definable expertise
- Repeatable patterns
This creates tension for brand storytellers. Classic storytelling techniques (slow builds, abstract metaphors, implied meaning) can dilute clarity for machines.
The result?
- Low visibility in AI-generated answers
- Brand stories that never make it into the conversation
This is where storytelling must evolve rather than disappear.
6 Tips to Amplify Your Brand Voice in a GEO World
1. Lead With the Point. Then Tell the Story.
Traditional storytelling often saves the “lesson” for the end. GEO-friendly storytelling does the opposite.
What to do:
- State the core insight early and clearly.
- Then use narrative, examples, or anecdotes to deepen it.
For example, instead of opening with a long anecdote, start with a clear statement of the main takeaway.
LLMs thrive on explicit framing. Humans still appreciate the story that follows.
2. Make Your Brand’s Point of View Explicit.
LLMs reward clarity, not subtlety.
If your content implies an opinion without stating it directly, machines may miss it entirely.
What to do:
- Clearly articulate your perspective.
- Use definitive statements, not vague positioning.
- Reinforce your stance throughout the content.
This helps LLMs understand:
- What your brand believes
- Where your expertise lies
- When to cite or reference your content
Strong POV isn’t just brand building anymore. It’s discoverability.
3. Structure Stories So Machines Can Parse Them.
Great storytelling doesn’t have to be unstructured.
What to do:
- Use descriptive subheadings.
- Break long narratives into sections.
- Summarize key takeaways within the story itself.
Think of each section as a self-contained unit that can stand alone if extracted into an AI-generated response.
If an LLM pulls a single paragraph from your post, will it still make sense? Will it still reflect your brand?
That’s the new standard.
4. Anchor Stories in Real-World Use Cases.
Abstract storytelling can be powerful, but specificity is critical for GEO.
What to do:
- Tie stories to concrete scenarios.
- Reference industries, challenges, or buyer roles.
- Show cause-and-effect clearly.
Specificity improves:
- Semantic relevance
- Machine understanding
- Trust signals for both humans and AI
5. Balance Brand Voice With Plain Language.
Voice still matters. But clarity matters more than cleverness.
LLMs prioritize content that is:
- Direct
- Unambiguous
- Well-defined
What to do:
- Use brand voice strategically, not excessively.
- Avoid jargon unless clearly defined.
- Pair creative language with straightforward explanations.
Remember, you’re not “dumbing down” your story. You’re making it legible in more contexts.
6. Reinforce the Narrative Across Multiple Angles.
LLMs look for patterns and consistency.
What to do:
- Reiterate your core message in different ways.
- Support stories with frameworks, lists, or principles.
- Align storytelling across related content pieces.
When your brand tells a consistent story across your site, in the media, and in community conversations it strengthens your authority, not just for readers, but for generative systems deciding what to surface.
Evolve and Own the Conversation
The rise of GenAI hasn’t killed storytelling. It’s raised the bar.
Brands that succeed will be the ones that:
- Preserve emotional resonance
- Embrace structural clarity
- Tell stories that humans enjoy and machines understand
Storytelling is no longer just about engagement. It’s about visibility, interpretation, and amplification in an AI-driven world.
The brands that adapt won’t just be heard. They’ll be referenced, recommended, and remembered. They’ll own the conversation.
The Version A team is focused on the future of brand storytelling. Let us help you evolve and amplify your brand story.
