When I share with my clients why it’s important to share their story to grow their business and brand, they resist.  The thought of sharing and being vulnerable in front of their audience is super scary. I mean after all we’re experts, do we want to share such deep emotions and be so raw with our audience?

I often get asked:

What will people think?

How much should I share?

How vulnerable should I be?

Why would this be important to share?

The truth is that we connect best when we share stories. So when you open up and share from your heart you start to build a deeper connection with your audience and that allows them to get to know who you are.

One of my stories that I share is that I was pregnant in high school.

I graduated from high school and 4 months later became a single mom.

I was determined to raise my son and provide an amazing life for him so I worked hard and got a job in retail and quickly got promoted into management.

I loved the work that I did but I worked crazy hours and missed so much of my son’s firsts that I knew I wanted to find a career that would allow me to have a more flexible schedule so I could be home with him more, and be there for all of the important moments.

This is a huge connection story piece for why I started searching for ways to start my own business.

I often hear from my clients that they can relate to this because they’re moms too or because they’ve had jobs that took up too much of their time.

We’ve heard it a million times but people buy from people they know, like and trust.

Sharing your story does just that.

You may not want to hear it but the truth is:

You must start telling your story.

The more open you are the more you will open the hearts of your audience and make them lean in and want to learn more.

Here are a few reasons why you should share your story:

1. People want to know the real you.

Not the perfect polished view that everyone posts on social media but the truly authentic and sometimes messy version of you. When you’re vulnerable and share from your heart and connect the puzzle pieces of your life that lead you to why you’re in business and how you came to be on this journey. You’ll start attracting the right people to work with you.

2. People remember stories.

Your audience might not remember everything about how you can help them, or what exactly your program covers but …

when you share how your health was struggling because you stopped taking time for you and you realized that you had to learn how to balance family, work and self-care to live a life of freedom.  This is what she will remember because it connects with her where she is at now and brings her into your story.

3. People need connection.

More than anything we’re seeking a deep connection beyond a simple, how are you? Or a “heart” on Instagram. When it comes to how you show up and connect with your audience, you need to build trust and let her know that you “see, hear and get” her.  Share what obstacles have come your way (birth, death, breakup) and how you used them to have a breakthrough in your brand.

The best part is that your story is yours alone, it is uniquely a part of you and no one has the same story or experiences to share.  Just show up and give from your heart.

You never know how the breakthroughs in your life can inspire and completely alter the path for someone else.

Warmly,

Darlene Hawley

@darlenehawley