We often make the mistake of thinking our prospects don’t want to hear our life stories, what we learned from our mistakes, or why we do the things we do. Stories do more than share your expertise—they create connections. What types of stories should you tell? What makes your story unique? On this episode, Dawn Gluskin shares how she uses stories to grow the businesses of her clients.

You never lose your leadership when you share your story. Even if you look vulnerable, let them see the leader in you. –Dawn Gluskin

 

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

 

Being yourself is the best differentiator (04:35-05:40)

In a world where everyone is trying to fit into the mold, being yourself is a valuable differentiator. People are sick of seeing perfect stories. They want something that resonates with them. While your clients want someone competent, they don’t expect perfection. The small cracks in the mask is what makes helps them connect with you.

 

The naked approach (13:40-14:40)

You can’t express yourself and share your story if you’re constantly living in fear of being judged by others. Social media makes it even harder to share our mistakes and what we learned from them since everyone is sharing only positive aspects of their lives on social media. The naked approach refers to using your own stories and own vulnerabilities to connect with others.

 

We evolved to respond to stories better than raw data  (17:40-18:47)

To survive, we needed stories to share with our peers about survival tactics, food locations, and more. While facts and figures do have value, they become even more powerful when they fit into a larger story. Stories are easier to remember and can make you more likable than stats and data.

 

Not all stories are created equal. Not all stories are made to be shared. Ask yourself, is sharing this story relevant to my business? Does it show something I’ve learned from it? You want to be relatable, but make sure you don’t undermine your skills and talents by doing so. Write your stories from a position of leadership and learning.

Guest Bio

Dawn decided to start her own business after she was pressured to come back to her job soon after having a child. In only 3 years, she made around $3 million by helping entrepreneurs share their brand story in a meaningful way. You can find out more about her work at http://www.blissedcommunications.com/