The StoryBrand Podcast

#77: Want More Sales? Lower the Cognitive Load in Your Marketing (SUMMER REPLAY)

The StoryBrand Podcast

Show Notes

This summer, we're replaying some of the most useful episodes from the StoryBrand Podcast — episodes that can help you clarify your message so your marketing can actually drive sales.

Today's replay is about cognitive load. The idea is simple: It basically means if your marketing makes people think too hard, they don't buy. This episode dives into the science behind why that is. You'll learn how high cognitive load messaging is hurting your business, and how to make your message easier to understand, remember, and act on.

Donald Miller breaks down the concept of "cognitive load" and how it silently kills marketing efforts. You'll learn how to simplify your messaging, why "putting the cookies on the lower shelf" works, and how a billion-dollar company shifted gears by making its value proposition crystal clear. Whether you're running a political campaign, pitching investors, or just trying to sell more sweaters, this episode shows you how to make your message lighter, clearer, and more effective without dumbing it down.

Ready to clarify your message and grow your business?

Attend StoryBrand Your Business LIVE to learn how to explain what you do in a way customers instantly understand: https://storybrand.com/live/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=sbyourbusiness&utm_term=sbpod&utm_content=SB_workshop

Visit StoryBrand.com for business training, messaging tools, and resources to help you grow: https://storybrand.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=storybrand&utm_term=sbpod&utm_content=SB_home

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storybrand

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storybrand

More from The StoryBrand Podcast

Oct 19, 2026

It's a ridiculously common misconception that you should be telling people YOUR story. You shouldn't.

Oct 16, 2026

If people can't quickly and easily understand what your product can do for them, they'll skip you and move on.

Oct 5, 2026

Your tagline is probably the most important piece of marketing collateral you can write. And most businesses get it wrong.

Sep 28, 2026

Do you know exactly what to say when someone asks you about what you sell? If not, you need to. But it's easier than you might think. In this episode you'll learn the five short soundbites that you can use to get people to quickly understand and engage with your product. The five soundbites are: 1. Problem 2. Empathy 3. Answer 4. Change 5. End Result Once you have these soundbites figured out, it will actually be easy to use them to write your company's tagline, elevator pitch, website, and all the other marketing collateral you've been struggling to get right.

Sep 21, 2026

How do you know if your marketing is going to work? Most people fly by the seat of their pants: they rely on a gut instinct or a general consensus, but those aren't actually very reliable. They're certainly not worth risking the future of your business on.

See all episodes →