We have all been told that we must be able to tell our
story. This is the tale of how we come to be where we are today; this is the
chain of events that led us to be where we are now. It is the story of who we
are and what we did to become what we represent in business as well as in our
personal life.
You must realize that the story that you tell is very
important; it is what you utilize to get others to know you, and it should make
others believe in you. It must be true, and it must be believable to others. The
facts must be consistent from one telling to another, and they must be simple
for you to relate. My daddy always told me that when you tell the truth, you will
easily remember what you say.
You must also realize that the manner of the telling is as
important as the story itself. You must tell your story in a believable manner,
and you must keep it simple. You also should keep it short enough that others
will not lose interest during the telling and so that others will be able to
relay the story to others. Consistent facts will keep your story the same as it
is retold.
How you tell your story also includes that you do not
dominate the conversation. If you are speaking with someone one-on-one, you
must allow the other person to tell you about themselves. You should always ask
the other person about their story and how they came to be where they are now. Show
interest and listen to the other person. The more that you listen, and learn,
the better your networking relationship will be.
Listening, and learning, is Gratitude Marketing at work. If
someone believes that you are only interested in telling your story, and not
hearing about them, you will never have their respect. Your networking partners
will know your story includes your desire, and practice, to learn their
stories. If you do not know someone else’s story, how can you include them in
your referral process?
Of course, a polite manner and genuine interest are
necessary to establish, and maintain, a networking partnership. Remind yourself
to treat others as you want them to treat you; if you want them to listen to
and remember your story, you must listen to and remember theirs. Perhaps you
can help each other to refine your stories, thereby mutually helping each other
to be better. You are partners after all.
Your story should also include how you utilize your product
or service in the business that makes that product or service available to
others. In other words, how do you use your product or service to market your
product or service? Examples of how you do that should be included in your
story. Last but not least, your story should be personable, something that can relate
to others.
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