Social media storytelling is an effective branding strategy. Stories should be shared in a way that adds value and entertainment for the audience so they feel motivated to share it themselves. Brands should aim to be like the "wise man" of old who told stories that spread organically. Rather than advertising directly, brands should share content through stories that define them and help nourish relationships with their audience. Integrating social media storytelling across all marketing efforts can help engage audiences and grow a brand's reach beyond those actively consuming traditional media.