Episode 6 – Will Stone on storytelling in B2B marketing

The NeverEnding Story: Closing the book on forgettable content
With Will Stone
Communications and Content Manager, Faculty of Humanities, University of Manchester
Also joined by Skout’s Director, Claire Lamb

Episode Overview

Storytelling is a strategic necessity. In this episode of Shaking the B2B Tree, we explore why storytelling should sit at the centre of every B2B marketing and PR strategy.

Will Stone, Communications and Content Manager at the University of Manchester, joins Skout to unpack the power of narrative in business communications. Drawing on his background in journalism, corporate comms and public sector PR, Will shares how storytelling can humanise brands, build trust, and create lasting impact – even in the most technical or transactional sectors.

From founder stories and leadership authenticity to customer-led content and the role of AI, this episode is a masterclass in how to find, shape and share stories that matter.

Whether you’re a marketer, comms professional or business leader, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about how stories are found, told and remembered.

Key Takeaways

Storytelling is strategic - It’s not a bolt-on. It should be baked into every part of your marketing and comms plan.
Start with the story, not the format - Don’t let quotas or templates dictate your narrative.
Leadership sets the tone - Authentic storytelling starts at the top.
Be curious, be nosy - The best stories come from asking better questions and listening harder.
Customers are your best storytellers - Let them speak for you.

If you can get your customers to tell your story for you, you’re doing a great job.

Mentioned in This Episode

📌 Podcast: The Rest is Politics – Will’s former go-to for political insight
📌 Tool: ChatGPT – Used daily by Will to spark ideas and verify thinking
📌 Tip: Storyfinding beats storytelling – Spend time foraging for the real narratives

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