So, you’re sending out Storydoc decks and wondering what people actually do with them. Do they skim, binge, or just drop off after two slides? If you care about sales (and you probably do), knowing how buyers engage is the difference between flying blind and actually running a process. This guide is for anyone who uses Storydoc to pitch, demo, or sell—especially if you’re tired of guessing what’s working.
Here’s how to track and make sense of viewer engagement in Storydoc, so you can stop guessing and start closing.
1. Set Up Your Storydoc Account for Tracking
First things first: if you’re not already using Storydoc, this whole guide won’t mean much. Assuming you are, let’s make sure you’re set up to actually collect useful data.
What you need: - A Storydoc Pro or Business account (analytics features are limited on free plans). - Access to the dashboard—not just the editor.
Pro Tip: Set up unique links for each prospect or account. This lets you track exactly who’s engaging, not just that “someone” viewed your deck. It’s a bit more setup upfront, but it pays off with better data.
2. Share Your Decks the Smart Way
You can send a single link to everyone, but if you want real insights, create personalized links for each lead or account. Here’s why:
- You’ll see who is engaging, not just total views.
- You can spot when your deck gets forwarded internally (new viewers popping up).
- You’ll know exactly which accounts to follow up with and when.
How to do it: 1. In Storydoc, open your deck and click “Share.” 2. Choose “Create personalized link.” 3. Name it after the recipient (e.g., “Acme_CEO_May2024”) so you can track later. 4. Copy and send.
Don’t bother: Sending PDFs or screenshots. You lose all tracking and analytics—might as well mail a paper brochure.
3. Dive Into the Analytics Dashboard
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. The Storydoc analytics dashboard is where you see the real story behind your decks.
Key Metrics to Watch
Not all numbers are worth obsessing over. Here’s what actually matters:
- Views: Basic, but still useful. Did your prospect even open it?
- Time Spent: Tells you if they skimmed or actually read. More time is usually better—but not always (see below).
- Slides/Sections Visited: Find out which parts they care about. Are they skipping pricing? Replaying the demo?
- Drop-off Points: Where do people stop reading? This is gold—shows where your message loses steam.
- Shares/Forwards: Some plans let you see if your deck got passed around. Multiple viewers from the same company is usually a good sign.
What to ignore: - Raw “engagement scores” that mush everything together. They’re vague and don’t tell you why someone engaged. - Device/browser data. Interesting, but rarely actionable for sales.
4. Spot Patterns That Actually Matter
Numbers are just numbers unless you know what to look for. Here’s how to turn analytics into actual sales insights:
- High time spent, no follow-up: This can mean confusion—maybe your deck raises more questions than it answers.
- Multiple viewers, repeat visits: Signals internal interest or buying committee activity. Now’s a good time to check in.
- Drop-off right before pricing: Maybe your pricing slide needs work, or maybe it’s scaring people off. Either way, it’s a starting point for a better conversation.
- Skips demo or technical slides: If prospects ignore certain sections, ask yourself if you’re overloading them. Not everyone wants the nitty-gritty at first glance.
Pro Tip: Don’t sweat over a single view or drop-off. Look for patterns across several deals. If everyone bails at one slide, you’ve got a real issue.
5. Use Engagement Data to Drive Your Next Steps
This is where most people drop the ball—they look at analytics, nod, and do nothing. Here’s how to actually use what you’ve learned:
- Follow up at the right time: If a prospect revisits your deck, that’s your cue. A quick email (“Saw you checked out the demo—any questions?”) beats generic follow-ups every time.
- Personalize your outreach: Reference specific slides they spent time on (“Noticed you looked at our integration section—want to dive deeper?”).
- Refine your deck: If you see consistent drop-offs, edit or reorder slides. Don’t be precious—if something’s not working, cut it.
- Qualify leads: If someone spends 2 seconds on your deck, they’re probably not serious (or you scared them off). Focus your time where there’s real interest.
What doesn’t work: - Chasing every single view: Some people click by accident, or just aren’t ready. Don’t waste cycles on every tire-kicker. - Trying to “game” the numbers: Adding flashy stuff to boost engagement metrics usually backfires. Keep it useful, not gimmicky.
6. Advanced Tips (Without the Hype)
If you’re comfortable with the basics, here are a few ways to squeeze more juice out of Storydoc’s analytics:
- A/B Test Your Decks: Duplicate your deck, tweak a section (like your intro or CTA), and see which version gets better engagement. Just don’t run 10 tests at once or you’ll get lost in the weeds.
- Integrate with Your CRM: Push Storydoc engagement data into Salesforce or HubSpot. Now you can see which deals are heating up—without bouncing between tools.
- Set Up Alerts: Some plans let you get notified when someone views your deck. Don’t abuse it (nobody likes a stalker), but it’s handy for timely follow-ups.
- Export Data for Reporting: If you need to show your boss what’s working, export the data. Just keep the report focused—no one cares about browser stats.
Don’t buy the hype: No analytics tool—Storydoc included—will tell you exactly what a buyer is thinking. Use this data as a conversation starter, not a mind reader.
7. What to Skip (and Why)
There’s a lot of noise out there about “next-gen engagement analytics” and “AI-powered insights.” Here’s what you can ignore:
- Vanity metrics: Total views across all time look nice, but don’t help you sell.
- “AI-powered” recommendations: Unless you see clear, actionable suggestions, take these with a grain of salt.
- Obsessing over every metric: Pick a few that matter for your stage (usually time spent, slide drop-off, and shares). Ignore the rest.
Focus on what actually moves deals forward, not what makes your dashboard light up.
8. Keep It Simple and Iterate
The point of all this isn’t to become a data scientist—it’s to get smarter about how you sell. Use Storydoc’s analytics to spot real patterns, not just random clicks. Make small tweaks, see what happens, and don’t be afraid to cut what doesn’t work.
Start simple, track what matters, and keep adjusting. The best sales insights come from watching real behavior—not wishful thinking or pretty charts.
Now go see what your buyers are really up to.