🦎 The Before-After-Bridge Formula

a 3-step storytelling formula for content creators that converts

Author

Jamar Jones
May 27, 2025

In partnership with

Hey there, Creator!

You're staring at your phone or a bland computer screen, cursor blinking mockingly, and your phone’s record button staring at you ominously.

Another day, another post that'll probably disappear into the expanse void of the interwebs.

Your brilliant ideas are trapped in your head, unable to connect with the audience you know is out there.

But imagine this:

Your latest post goes live, and your phone starts buzzing.

Likes, shares, and comments pour in. Your inbox fills with new leads and collaboration requests.

Your offer isn't just selling - it's flying off the digital shelves.

The bridge between these two realities?

The Before-After-Bridge (BAB) formula - your new secret weapon for crafting content that hooks readers and doesn't let go.

"The essence of good storytelling is making people care."

Robert McKee

In today’s newsletter, we're exploring the BAB formula and how you can use it to transform your content from forgettable to unforgettable.

You'll discover:

  • Why the BAB formula is the key to content that resonates on a gut level

  • The "BAB Content Generator" prompt for creating scroll-stopping content in seconds

  • Real-world examples of BAB in action across different platforms

Let's. Crawl. In. 🦎

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Why the BAB Formula Could Be Your Content Gamechanger

Notice something about the intro you just read?

That's right - it followed the BAB formula itself.

(Yup, we’re getting meta in here)

Before: The frustration of creating content that goes nowhere.

After: The thrill of content that resonates and converts.

Bridge: The Before-After-Bridge formula as the solution.

This isn't just another gimmicky marketing tactic. It's a fundamental shift in how you communicate with your audience.

Consider the typical solopreneur's content:

"5 tips to grow your email list!"

"How to use ChatGPT for business"

"New product launch: AI writing assistant"

These aren't bad. But they're missing the emotional hook that makes readers stop and pay attention.

They jump straight to the solution without first establishing why the reader should care.

The BAB formula transforms your content by:

  • Instantly relating to your audience's pain points, building trust and rapport

  • Creating desire by painting an irresistible 'After' picture

  • Positioning your offer as the natural solution to bridge the gap

It works across all content types - social media posts, emails, sales pages, even video scripts.

By consistently using this formula, you create a coherent narrative across your entire brand.

It's not manipulative - effective storytelling that resonates with your audience's experiences and aspirations.

You're not creating problems that don't exist — acknowledging real challenges and offering genuine solutions.

But how do you implement BAB in your day-to-day content creation?

How do you consistently develop compelling 'Before' and 'After' scenarios?

How do you seamlessly introduce your 'Bridge' without sounding salesy?

That's where AI comes to the rescue…

The "BAB Content Generator" Prompt

This prompt will help you create 20x more captivating and emotionally resonant content using the BAB formula:

I need help coming up with 10 content ideas using the Before-After-Bridge (BAB) formula. 

The content ideas should be closely related to my niche.

Here is some context about my niche:

[INSERT NICHE CONTEXT]

For each content idea, please provide:

Before: Describe the current problem or pain point the audience is facing. Make it vivid and relatable.

After: Paint an attractive picture of what life looks like once the problem is solved. Focus on the emotional benefits and positive outcomes.

Bridge: Briefly introduce the solution as the way to get from the 'Before' to the 'After' state. It should be framed as a here's how I tackle this problem.

Each piece should be written in a conversational, engaging tone. 

Give a title to each idea.

Use emotive language to really bring the 'Before' and 'After' states to life. 

Keep each piece to under 100 words.

HOW TO USE THE BAB CONTENT GENERATOR PROMPT:

  1. Replace [INSERT NICHE CONTEXT] with details about your niche and content style.

    • Example: "My target audience is content creators and online entrepreneurs overwhelmed by daily business tasks. They're interested in AI but unsure how to use it effectively. I provide strategies to help them leverage AI tools to automate tasks, enhance creativity, and scale their businesses efficiently. My focus is on practical, easy-to-implement AI solutions that save time and boost productivity for solo business owners."

  2. Let AI work its magic and generate 10 BAB-structured content ideas for you.

Here’s an example of the output the BAB prompt gave me for my niche context I used above:

Not only does this prompt generate highly relevant content ideas —

It also illustrates the annoying problem all content creators and online entrepreneurs face. It emotionally sells them the dream of solving it, then sets me up perfectly to finish the rest with my unique, actionable solution.

It’s like a content alley-oop.

WHAT YOU LEARNED TODAY

  • How the BAB formula taps into human psychology to create irresistible content

  • A step-by-step process for implementing BAB in your content strategy

  • Practical examples of BAB in action across various content types

The BAB formula isn't just another marketing trick to add to your overstuffed tactics toolbox.

The secret sauce turns your content from "meh" to "Wow this makes sense!"

By leading with empathy (yes, your audience has feelings too), inspiring with possibility (no, not the "you'll be a millionaire by Tuesday" kind), and guiding with clarity (because nobody likes a foggy bridge)…

You create content that emotionally connects.

Think of it as a GPS for your audience's attention—no "recalculating" needed.

Your move:

Take your next piece of content and restructure it using BAB. Watch how it transforms your writing and your audience's response.

It's like giving your content a charisma upgrade.

Remember, great marketing isn't about shouting the loudest. 

It's about resonating most deeply.

See you next Tuesday @ 10 am.🦎

Keep creating,

~Jamar

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