Building Brands with Storytelling and Speed: Lessons from Chase Buckner at High Level

In this episode of In Focus by 7 Wonders, co-founders Stephen Skeel and Michael Ayjian sit down with Chase Buckner, Director of Product Marketing at High Level, to uncover how video content, storytelling, and speed have fueled one of the fastest-growing SaaS platforms in the marketing world.

From agency owner to SaaS leader, Chase shares his journey of building a seven-figure marketing agency and transitioning to High Level as one of its first 20 employees. Now part of a 1,500-person team serving over 80,000 customers, Chase offers a behind-the-scenes look at how brand storytelling and video-first strategies have helped High Level thrive.

Why Storytelling Is the Next-Level Growth Lever

Chase emphasizes that while any business can grow through lead generation and fast follow-up, storytelling is what takes a brand from good to unforgettable. He shares a five-part marketing framework: Capture, Nurture, Close, Evangelize, Reactivate, explaining how storytelling fuels each stage.

Whether it’s turning customer success into compelling case studies or sharing your company’s origin story, Chase believes that stories activate emotional engagement and help build trust and loyalty.

The 5-Minute Rule and the Power of Automation

One game-changing insight? The five-minute lead response rule. Chase explains that converting a lead hinges on following up within five minutes. At High Level, they automated instant SMS responses to skyrocket client bookings by up to 70%.

This rapid engagement transformed agencies from "lead generators" into "booking generators"—a powerful story in itself.

Video Content: The Engine Behind High Level’s Growth

Forget polished commercials. High Level grew its YouTube channel (with 4.7K+ videos and 56K subscribers) by embracing Zoom calls, raw demos, and authentic conversations. Chase shares how they’ve done hundreds of webinars and podcasts, proving that consistency beats perfection.

Video storytelling, especially in the podcast format, is now their #1 tool for education, engagement, and scaling reach. As Chase says, "Video changed our business."

Mascots, Global Reach, and Multi-Voice Branding

From introducing “Hailey,” High Level’s space-themed mascot, to launching in 12+ languages for global expansion, Chase gives a masterclass in how branding elements—from team representation to visual identity—build community and trust. High Level's intentional multi-voice approach ensures no single personality limits the brand’s reach or longevity.

Tips for Agency Owners

Chase advises agencies to:

• Share client success stories consistently.

• Use tools like Descript to simplify content creation.

• Start with raw videos and enhance with B-roll or animation over time.

• Don’t wait for perfection—just start recording.

His bottom line: differentiate or disappear. Your location, voice, and story are your brand.

Why This Matters to You

This episode highlights how video content and brand storytelling aren’t just trendy—they’re essential. Whether you're an agency owner or entrepreneur, creating consistent, authentic video content helps you stand out in a noisy market.

And when that storytelling is wrapped in the visual power of video, the results can be truly one of the 7 Wonders of modern marketing.

👉 Watch the full podcast episode on YouTube