Life

The Most Persuasive Storytellers Do This (And Most People Won’t)

“People might not like Tony, but they will certainly remember him.”

This is what my best friend said—to my soon-to-be boss—while I was in the middle of a job interview.

For context, my best friend was trying to recruit me to his company, and my soon-to-be boss called him in after our meeting to ask him more about me. He wanted to get the insider information if you will, and I caught the tail end of a conversation that had my ears set on fire.

“People might not like Tony?”

WHAT THE HELL, MAN?!

That’s like someone introducing you to their new girlfriend by saying, “Look, he’s kind of an asshole, but trust me, you won’t forget him.”

Not exactly a glowing endorsement.

And now—NOW—you decide to drop this little gem into the universe?

I wanted to burst into the room and yell, “I’m very likable, actually!” like a complete crazy person, but something told me that would not improve my chances. Instead, I sat there and stewed, trying to figure out what kind of betrayal I had just witnessed.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that my friend wasn’t insulting me. He was making a point.

People remember me.

And in sales, that’s what actually matters.

Not being the most charming, the smartest, or even the most likable. Just plain old memorability.

I got the job, by the way. But I tucked that little moment away until years later when I started thinking about writing persuasively.

Because persuasion—whether in sales, writing, or just getting someone to agree that, yes, Whole Foods is overpriced—comes down to the same thing: being remembered.

And the best way to do that is to be vulnerable.

The #1 Mistake in Sales, Writing, and Life

Here’s where most people screw up when they think about what it means to be persuasive.

They think persuasion is all about saying the right thing. They think it’s about leaning into the benefits. Nailing the perfect phrasing. Finding the magic combination of words that makes people say, “Wow, you’re so smart, handsome, and funny. Take my money, my trust, and possibly my firstborn.”

But that’s only half true.

The thing is, true persuasion isn’t just about saying the right thing. It’s about saying the real thing.

In other words, it means being vulnerable. And being vulnerable is just another way of saying being honest.

Honestly, honest people are usually the most persuasive because people know they’re not bullshitting them.

And bullshit—most of us can smell it a mile away. Once we have that stench in our noses, we never forget it.

But when someone is real—when they admit the honest, awkward, messy, human stuff of life—you lean in. Because it’s rare.

And rare is powerful.

Why Honesty = Influence

In my own life, I think most of my professional success came down to this idea:

Just be honest.

For example, when I was a territory manager, I sold hangers (the crap that attaches lights and piping to ceilings) to construction workers.

If I had done everything by the book, my pitch would have me talking like a brochure.

“Here at XYZ Company, we are dedicated to optimizing your workflow with our premium-quality products.”

Yuck.

Instead, I was just honest.

I said, “Yeah, cutting rod and strut is a pain in the ass, and my product makes it easier.”

And they nodded because that’s exactly how they felt. I felt that way too.

I wasn’t “pushing the envelope.” I was just saying the thing we were all thinking.

The same thing happened when I worked in copywriting for a home security company. Instead of leading with “peace of mind” or “the convenience of a smart home” (snore), I wrote about what it feels like when someone breaks into your car.

The real scary shit that makes people think about home security. 

I didn’t make it up. It had happened to me, so I could honestly write to that experience.

And guess what? That honesty broke records and became the control (the piece that new marketing material is tested against).

Why?

Because people can relate to honest feelings. And this honesty is exactly what makes you a better, more persuasive writer.

How This Applies to Writing (And Why It’s the Key to Great Storytelling)

The thing is, this whole idea isn’t just a business thing. It’s what makes writing great.

Readers love writers who are honest.

Take, for example, the serious writer stereotype. Maybe you picture them in their cottage, a fire roaring, face pruned as they pour over their words.

A typical “serious writer” might say:

“Jonathan gazed wistfully out the rain-streaked window, his heart a shipwreck upon the shore of lost love.”

Meanwhile, an honest writer might just say:

“Jonathan had been staring at his phone for so long that his eyes began to ache. He kept refreshing her Instagram, even though he already knew what he’d see: a picture of her smiling. Without him.”

See the difference? One is trying very hard to be beautiful, while the other is just being honest.

And honesty is always more powerful.

Certainly more relatable.

And even though fiction is fake, great stories always find a way to tell the truth.

Take, for example, a story about space pirates and intergalactic war. That’s fake.

But you take that same plot and make the story about what it feels like to be alone, misunderstood, or fighting for something bigger than yourself? That’s real.

This is why the best writers—whether they’re writing essays, novels, or just funny quips—aren’t afraid to tell the truth.
It makes their writing more real.

Always Look for the Truth in Writing

Whenever you’re writing, if you want to be more persuasive, focus on finding the truth of your topic.

For example:
• People don’t cry at funerals because they’re sad. They cry because they realize they’ll never hear that person’s voice again.
• Most relationships don’t end with a dramatic betrayal. They end on a Tuesday, after an argument about where to eat, when one person realizes they’re just… done.
• Nobody feels like an “adult,” even when they are one. We’re all just winging it and hoping no one notices.

Those little truths? Those are what make people feel something.

That’s why the most memorable characters in books and movies aren’t necessarily the coolest, the bravest, or the smartest. They’re the ones who feel real.

The George Costanzas of the world.

They mess up. They second-guess themselves. They have weird little habits that make no sense but feel so specific that you instantly recognize yourself in them.

And that’s the goal.

Whether you’re writing an article, a novel, or just a really good text message—your job isn’t to make things up. Your job is to find the truth and say it in a way that makes people feel it.

And to do that, you have to be honest. Even in fiction.

Full Circle: How to Be a More Persuasive Writer

If you want to be a more persuasive writer, salesperson, or human being, here’s the one piece of advice I’d give you:

Just be honest.

That’s it.

Be honest in your words. Be honest in how you communicate. Be honest in how you see the world.

Because the more real you are, the more real you are to other people.

And real people? They’re impossible to forget.

Please like, comment, share, and tell me what you think. Do you agree?

If you like advice like this, I may start offering a paid newsletter that covers writing tips like this. If you’re interested, please let me know.

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72 thoughts on “The Most Persuasive Storytellers Do This (And Most People Won’t)”

  5. Great post… Reminded me of why I like Jeffrey Archer’s writing style, he’s so down to earth in his story telling. In fact, I want to re-read, “Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less and Twelve Red Herrings.” I do think some writers try “too hard,” their words are forced and others just have the gift to write. Thanks for inspiring us today.

    Reply

  8. And thus why many people are not great story tellers. It reminds me of Mark Twain’s oft used quote on writing. “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” It’s hard work to write honestly and to open our hearts to others. (At least it’s hard work for me.) Great post Tony. Well said.

    Reply

  10. So true. It ought to be obvious, but it takes someone to point it out, as you’ve just done. It makes me a) hope that I’ve been honest in my own writing and b) suggests a reason why I prefer some genres over others in my reading matter. Thanks, Tony. 🙂

    Reply

  14. This is actually completely true. I didn’t even realise how true it was until I sat down and thought it through.

    It’s an innate need to want to be understood, recognised and heard. Persuasion is easiest when someone knows you UNDERSTAND where they’re coming from. Not necessarily manipulating, just…being honest in the best way possible. Being human.

    Nobody likes to be sold, but they sure as hell won’t mind buying if they know the person selling to them gets where they’re coming from.

    Reply

  16. Thanks for this. It’s great to read pieces like this so one can learn how to be better. I agree that honesty works, and that is something that is undeniable in whatever space we find ourselves in.

    Reply
  17. Pingback: The Most Persuasive Storytellers Do This (And Most People Won’t) – Blueprint

  19. Oh who would have thought?? I just thought about this, this morning ☺️ I love it. This was a beautiful honest piece 🥺
    As a Copywriter, I couldn’t agree more ✨

    Reply

  20. Ah, I feel better. I read “literary” stories and “best sellers” who write poetically, and then there’s me. My characters wouldn’t dream of being so verbose. I was sure my writing will go nowhere until I read this and realized the folks who like my stories always say they’re honest and real. Love it.

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  23. Well said! Great fiction illustrates what it’s like to be human and truth is important to everyone, including the dishonest. How could a self-respecting liar tell whoppers without the truth as a foil?

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  30. With you on this all the way, Tony. Vulnerability and honesty are what I value in people and in writing. I admire those who can write about themselves when it might not paint them in the best light. It’s like characters in stories. If they are too perfect, it’s hard to relate to them. We all have flaws.

    Reply
  32. Pingback: Creative Juice #441 | ARHtistic License

  34. Tony’s blog post absolutely nails it—honesty is the heart of great storytelling. That blend of wit, raw truth, and vulnerability hits like a punch and a hug at the same time. It’s refreshing, relatable, and honestly… kind of addictive to read.

    It’s easy to see why so many people resonate with it—because we feel it. Whether it’s a job interview gone sideways or a character obsessively checking Instagram, the truth makes it stick. That’s the kind of storytelling that doesn’t just entertain—it lingers.

    Speaking of which, if you’re into this kind of brutally honest but cleverly sharp content, you might also want to check out Chameleon. It’s a satire platform that calls out life’s BS with wit and a touch of venom. Think Tony’s honesty, but with a slightly more sarcastic bite.

    You can find Chameleon at:
    http://chameleon15026052.wordpress.com
    Or reach out: Chameleon.15026052@gmail.com

    Stay weird. Stay honest. That’s what makes you unforgettable.

    Reply

  36. This hit me right in the gut—in the best way. You’re absolutely right, Tony: being honest isn’t just effective, it’s magnetic. There’s something about reading a piece like this that reminds you why you started writing (or selling, or creating) in the first place. Not to impress—but to connect.

    That line about not needing to be the smartest, funniest, or most likable, just memorable—that’s going to stick with me. And the difference between saying the “right thing” and the “real thing”? Game-changing.

    Thanks for stripping away the fluff and saying what so many try to dance around. This one’s going in the folder of “things I’ll revisit when I forget how to be a human being with a keyboard.”

    Reply

    2. Yes same ! I wrote super free until I wanted to earn money with it and I ruined my authenticity. However I also learn a lot from it ! Now I focus again on being unprofessional – maybe I write a part on it.

      Reply

  37. I loved reading this today because the topic often keeps me busy when I write. I also love the writing difference on the fire pit! I do this also . I try really hard and invest all my energy into the most beautiful writing and the next day I don’t really undestand it anymore ! I don’t understand why you call it persuasion though? Isn’t it rather about truth telling? On that note or here I feel often fear – like how transparent should one be ? But also the fire pit writing reads poetric so it’s also beautiful !

    Reply

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