Rain Bennett
- Jun 8, 2023
- 3 min read

Raise Capital Successfully Using Stories with Robbie Crabtree

Are you tired of pitching to investors and stakeholders but never quite making the impact you want? Have you been told to simply craft authentic stories to build trust, only to be left feeling frustrated and unheard? It's time to ditch ineffective advice and discover the power of competitive storytelling, human psychology, and impromptu speaking.

Former trial lawyer turned startup coach Robbie Crabtree uses his storytelling skills to inspire action toward solving major global issues, but the irony is that his own journey from aspiring athlete to lawyer was shaped by his obsession with narrative design and control.

In this episode, you will learn how to:

Seamlessly incorporate competitive storytelling to inspire and drive action.
Dive into the intricacies of human psychology and wield its power to craft compelling narratives.
Master the art of on-the-spot eloquence through practical approaches to impromptu speaking and preparation.
Win the trust of investors and stakeholders by seamlessly weaving storytelling into your communication strategy.
Empower future entrepreneurs with diverse success stories that foster inspiration and fuel ambition.

SUBSCRIBE HERE:

Rain Bennett and Kayley Hamilton, former celebrity reporter and PR expert, on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

Have you ever struggled to communicate the value of your business to investors and stakeholders?

It is one of the most frustrating parts of starting a business.

Why can't they see what YOU see?!

Well, one reason might be because you just haven't earned their trust yet.

In the world of entrepreneurship, building trust with investors and stakeholders is absolutely crucial to the success of your venture.

One powerful way to achieve this is by crafting a compelling founder story that not only demonstrates your passion and drive but also showcases your authenticity, resilience, and problem-solving abilities.

A well-told founder story can help build trust in your personal and professional credibility, fostering a stronger connection with potential investors.

So, if you want to make a lasting impression and secure those all-important relationships, I am sharing an amazing conversation I had that will help you master the art of impactful storytelling.

Robbie Crabtree is a captivating storyteller with a fascinating journey from trial lawyering to the realm of startups and venture capital.

Drawing from his history major background and experiences as a college athlete, Robbie has honed his skills in competitive storytelling to help entrepreneurs build trust and inspire action.

His approach focuses on crafting powerful narratives that resonate with investors and stakeholders, ensuring that the most impactful ideas get the attention and support they deserve.

Robbie has an incredible command on how to balance authenticity with authority.

Here are the steps he suggests to tell stories that can't be denied.

Identify your core values and motivations
Analyze your entrepreneurial journey and challenges
Highlight turning points and impactful moments
Adopt the use of "conversational storytelling"
Be prepared, so you can be precise

"The only way it gets to be about the business is if you clear hurdle one. Hurdle one is, 'Do I trust you? Do I think that you can pull this off? Do I like you? Do I want to be in business with you for the next 5 to 10 years?' That's when you use your founder story to build trust.'" - Robbie Crabtree

This episode is fast-paced and jam-packed with gems that will immediately up your storytelling game so you can raise capital.

By sharing his own experiences, from litigator to founder and CEO of a storytelling company, Robbie demonstrates the powerful, transformative effects of a well-crafted founder story.

Join us as we unpack Robbie's storytelling process, exploring the art of combining authenticity and action to create a narrative that fosters trust and inspires people to join you on your entrepreneurial adventure.

Kayley Hamilton of Kayley Media teaches small brands how to have big name success in PR.

If you need to raise capital for your business and want to build trust with potential investors, this is the episode for you!

Other episodes you'll enjoy: 1. Building an Empire in the Creator Economy with NICK WITTERS

2. Stories that Sell in Three Minutes with DAN MANNING

3. The Secret Power of Great Stories with NANCY DUARTE Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-storytelling-lab/

Some of the highlights of our conversation:

00:01:18 - What His Company, Competitive Storytelling, Does?
00:05:14 - His Journey to Becoming a Trial Lawyer
00:07:30 - Lessons from Athletics
00:10:59 - Importance of Training
00:12:10 - The Importance of Sports and History
00:16:18 - What Makes a Story Work?
00:19:07 - Transitioning from Law to Entrepreneurship
00:22:15 - Overcoming Fear and Building a Legacy
00:24:22 - Evolution of Competitive Storytelling
00:25:02 - Overcoming Founder Storytelling Challenges
00:30:16 - Emotional Storytelling
00:32:26 - Conversational Storytelling
00:34:10 - Macro and Micro Preparation
00:36:38 - Active Listening
00:37:20 - The importance of practice in storytelling
00:38:05 - The inspiration behind the book Competitive Storytelling
00:41:14 - What to expect from Competitive Storytelling
00:43:02 - Future prospects
00:46:06 - Taking pride in one's accomplishments