WHEN Stories: The Authority Asset Every Speaker and Entrepreneur Needs to Build Unshakeable Authority

Why Your Origin Story Is Your Most Powerful Marketing Resource

In a world saturated with polished LinkedIn profiles and carefully curated Instagram grids, there's one marketing asset that cuts through the noise like nothing else: your transformation story. Not the highlight reel. Not the "10 steps to success" framework. The real, messy, human journey of how you became who you are today.

That's exactly what WHEN Stories captures—and why it's becoming the go-to authority-building resource for speakers, entrepreneurs, coaches, and small business owners who are ready to stop blending in and start commanding the rooms (and the fees) they deserve.

What Makes WHEN Stories Different

WHEN Stories isn't just another anthology project or vanity publishing opportunity. It's a strategic positioning tool designed specifically for entrepreneurs and speakers who understand that authenticity isn't just a buzzword—it's a competitive advantage.

Founded by Wendy Babcock—an international speaker, TEDx speaker, author, and visibility authority—WHEN Stories exists at the intersection of vulnerability and visibility. Each contributor shares their pivotal "when everything changed" moment—the turning point that shaped their expertise, refined their message, and ultimately positioned them as the expert they are today.

But here's what makes it truly valuable: these aren't just feel-good transformation tales. They're carefully crafted origin stories that establish credibility, create emotional connection, and demonstrate the depth of insight that only comes from lived experience. And unlike most authority-building opportunities, WHEN Stories doesn't just give you one marketing asset—it gives you an entire ecosystem of credibility markers working together.

Why Authority Requires More Than Expertise

You can be brilliant at what you do and still struggle to attract high-profile speaking engagements or premium clients. Why? Because expertise alone doesn't build authority. Connection does.

People don't hire speakers and entrepreneurs because of their credentials. They hire them because they trust them. And trust is built through story—through the human moments that prove you've been where your audience is, that you understand their struggle, and that you've found a way through.

WHEN Stories gives you a legitimate, reputable platform to share that story in a way that positions you as an authority without feeling salesy or self-promotional. When your transformation is captured on stage, in print, and across multiple media channels, it creates the kind of third-party validation that opens doors traditional marketing simply can't.

The Multi-Platform Asset That Keeps Working for You

Here's where WHEN Stories becomes exponentially more valuable than a typical speaking engagement or book chapter: you're not getting just one piece of content. You're building a comprehensive authority platform.

Your professionally produced video of your story told on stage becomes a powerful visual asset that lives on the WHEN Stories YouTube channel—a resource that event planners, potential clients, and media contacts can access 24/7 to see you in action. This isn't a selfie-video recorded in your living room. It's stage-quality production that demonstrates your ability to command a room and connect with an audience.

That same story becomes a podcast episode on the WHEN Stories Radio Network, expanding your reach to audio audiences and creating another touchpoint for people to discover your expertise. Podcast listeners are some of the most engaged audiences out there—they're literally choosing to spend time with your voice and story.

Your chapter in the WHEN Stories anthology gives you the credibility of being a published author without the years-long process of writing an entire book. It's a tangible asset you can reference in bios, hand out after speaking engagements, and use as a conversation starter with high-profile contacts.

And perhaps most valuable of all, you receive your own stand-alone Legacy Book—a beautiful, professionally produced volume featuring your story that you can use as a business card alternative, speaker gift, or client conversion tool. This isn't a PDF. It's a physical representation of your authority that prospects can hold in their hands.

The Coaching That Makes the Difference

But here's what truly sets WHEN Stories apart from other anthology projects or visibility opportunities: you don't just get access to platforms. You get six weeks of talk development coaching to ensure your story does exactly what you need it to do for your business.

This is where strategy meets storytelling. Wendy Babcock and her team work with you to craft a narrative that doesn't just sound good—it positions you strategically, highlights your unique expertise, and creates the specific emotional connection that converts listeners into clients and audiences into advocates.

Most entrepreneurs and speakers struggle to tell their own story effectively. They either overshare irrelevant details or skim the surface without creating real impact. The coaching process ensures your story hits the mark every single time, whether you're delivering it from stage, in a sales conversation, or on a podcast interview.

Why Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs Can't Afford to Wait

Here's the truth: most entrepreneurs wait too long to invest in their authority-building. They think, "I'll write that book when I'm more established" or "I'll focus on my story once my business is bigger."

But authority isn't built after success—it's built alongside it. Your story is happening right now, and the sooner you claim it, shape it, and share it strategically, the faster you'll attract the opportunities that match your expertise.

WHEN Stories offers a comprehensive entry point into multi-platform authority positioning. You don't need to hire a video production company, find a publisher, pitch yourself to podcast hosts, and figure out your narrative on your own. You get all of those assets, plus expert guidance, in one strategic investment.

The Credibility Factor: Why WHEN Stories Is Worth Your Investment

In an era where anyone can self-publish or create a PDF lead magnet, discerning clients and event organizers are looking for markers of legitimacy. Being featured in WHEN Stories signals:

• You've been vetted: Not everyone gets in. Being selected means your story and expertise meet a standard set by a recognized visibility authority.
• You're serious about your positioning: You've invested in building your brand strategically, not just hoping someone notices you.
• You understand multi-channel marketing: You recognize that visibility across video, audio, and print creates exponentially more impact than any single medium alone.
• You value human connection: You're willing to be vulnerable and real, which makes you more trustworthy and relatable.
• You're part of a community: Being associated with other high-caliber entrepreneurs and speakers elevates your own authority by association.

This isn't vanity publishing. It's strategic visibility with a purpose, led by someone who has built her entire career around helping experts get seen and heard.

Why This Matters for Speakers Specifically

If you're a speaker looking to command higher fees and book higher-profile stages, your story is your secret weapon. Event planners aren't just looking for someone who can deliver content—they're looking for someone who can create an emotional experience that moves their audience.

Your professionally produced WHEN Stories video becomes the demo reel you can send to meeting planners to prove you can deliver. It shows you on an actual stage, connecting with a real audience, telling a compelling story. That's infinitely more valuable than testimonials or a written bio.

And because your story is refined through coaching specifically designed for speakers, you're not just sharing your journey—you're demonstrating your ability to craft a narrative with intention, build to emotional peaks, and land transformative moments that audiences remember long after they leave the room.

It's the difference between being "just another business coach" and being "the entrepreneur who rebuilt her business three times, and here's the video proving she can bring audiences to their feet." One is forgettable. The other is bookable.

The ROI of Story: What Being in WHEN Stories Actually Does for Your Business

Let's get practical. What does participating in WHEN Stories actually do for your business and career?

For Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners:

• Creates a compelling video asset you can use on your website, in email signatures, and across social media
• Provides your own Legacy Book to hand potential clients—a tangible representation of your expertise
• Positions you as an authority figure, not just a service provider
• Opens doors to speaking opportunities when planners discover you through the YouTube channel or podcast
• Differentiates you in a saturated market with multiple high-quality assets

For Speakers and Coaches:

• Adds multiple credibility markers to your speaker bio and media kit (author, podcast guest, YouTube speaker)
• Demonstrates your storytelling ability to event planners through professional video
• Creates connection with audiences before you ever take the stage
• Provides a gift or resource (your Legacy Book) to hand out after speaking engagements
• Establishes you as someone with depth, not just tactics

For Everyone:

• Builds your personal brand across multiple platforms in an authentic, sustainable way
• Creates opportunities for collaboration with other contributors
• Expands your network and visibility through cross-promotion
• Gives you multiple tangible assets you can leverage for years
• Provides expert coaching to ensure your story actually converts

Why Now Is the Right Time

Authority building isn't something you do once you "arrive." It's what gets you there. Your story—the real, transformative, human story of how you became who you are—is the most powerful marketing tool you have.

WHEN Stories gives you a platform, a framework, professional production across multiple media channels, expert coaching, and a community to share that story strategically. It's not about perfection. It's about impact. It's about positioning yourself as the expert you already are and making it easier for the right people to find you, trust you, and work with you.

Before you invest in another marketing course, another branding session, another "visibility strategy," ask yourself: have you claimed your story? Have you shared it in a way that builds real authority and connection across video, audio, and print? Do you have the coaching support to ensure it's positioned strategically?

If not, WHEN Stories might be exactly the resource you need.

Ready to amplify your authority through story? Learn more at whenstories.com and discover how your transformation can become your greatest business asset.