Last summer three of our area YMCA received grant funding from PepsiCo in support of the YMCAs health and wellness initiative Activate America. One branch used the grant money toward their 12-week Personal Fitness program to continue to deliver the highest quality programs to their members

Jacqueline, age 79, was just one of the graduates from the program. The day she graduated she set up her free personal training session she had earned so she could work on balance. After leaving the Y that day, Jacqueline fell and broke her hip. One of Jacqueline’s friends called the Y to let them know of her fall and said Jacqueline felt that without the Y and the PFP program, she would not have had the strength to pull herself to the phone to call for help. Today Jacqueline is back working out at the YMCA and she even had her friend join and start the program.

Jacqueline had a story. She shared it with a friend. She probably shared it with several. I’m sure it made an impression on many of them and I’m sure many of them could benefit from the program. That is, they need a personal fitness program. So why did only one enroll? That person wanted the gains that came with that program and was willing to take action to achieve them.

As individuals we have found products, services and business plans that have come to make a difference in our life. The difference may have been physical, financial, recreational or even mental or spiritual. The difference is the root of our story. Now Jacqueline willl not gain financially by enrolling her friend in the program but I’m certain she has gained some sort of pride or satisfaction in knowing she will be making a difference in someone else’s life.

As network marketers, we stand to gain by sharing our stories. As independent business persons, we also can be rewarded financially. Sure, everyone we share our story with can gain from what we have to offer but like Jacqueline’s friends, not everyone will want it. So now you have to figure out who wants verses those who just need and only talk to them, right?.... WRONG ! The probability of being able to look at someone and know their wants as opposed to their needs is slim to none unless you are an amazing mind reader.

Share your story wherever it is appropriate. As the conversation evolves, you’ll recognize whether this person has potential as customer, business associate, or friend. It should only take a couple of minutes. Maybe they won’t be interested in looking in greater detail but who’s to say that they don’t know someone else that might have an even stronger interest than themselves? If they come under the banner of customer or prospect then put your system into play.

Some of you might be saying , “I’m brand new. I don’t have a story yet!” There are dozens of stories out there within your upline or company and countless dozen more around the industry. I don’t know one person in all of network marketing that wouldn’t let you use their story as an example of how you plan to help others and build your business, as an example of what can come from wanting to create a difference.

You have probably seen or heard an advertisement somewhere, sometime that stated the best kept secret for X was now available in their product or service. Obviously they figured out that they could gain a lot more by sharing the secret than they could keeping it under wraps until somebody stumbled on to it. So can you.

Share the story.

Thanks for reading.