In this episode, we discuss why sharing your story is a crucial part of landing new clients and building a thriving online business.    The Episode: Why Your Story is Crucial to Building Your Online Business Who can disagree that we relate better to people whose stories we know? When we understand what someone has gone through, we find it easier to relate to them and it makes meaningful connection possible. That is why your story is a powerful tool for building your online business.   While you might think that your story is mundane or irrelevant, others don’t see it that way. The different things that make you unique could be exactly what resonates with your target audience and get the business streaming in!   In This Episode The common erroneous assumption that your credentials will make people hire you [0:16:21] What watching Simone Biles can teach us about the importance of telling your story [0:17:10] How a person’s story is what gets others to buy into and care about them [0:18:02]  The importance of an authentic story in boosting your unique selling proposition [0:19:16]  An example of how your story can be leveraged to get people emotionally invested [0:19:54] Hear how you get a lot further in the online space when you have an authentic story [0:25:01]  The issue with saying what you think others want to hear and pursuing a big market [0:26:34]  Focusing on the “right” thing versus focusing on the right thing for you [0:28:07]  Why it is worth spending the time to define the things that make you unique [0:30:42]  When a story resonates with your audience, keeping pushing that message [0:33:54]  The reward of staying true to yourself and ignoring the likes and opinions of others [0:36:24]    “What I find a lot of people try to do is they try to say what they think is the right thing.” — Jonathan Goodman   Credentials Are Not Everything  While you might think that all your qualifications and certifications are what will convince people to work with you, the truth is that they seldom know what all the letters stand for. Other coaches will recognize your credentials but, to your ideal clients, it will mean little.    The Value of An Authentic Story  A person’s story – including their personal and professional highs and lows – is a powerful tool for making them more relatable, thus easier to connect emotionally with. People want to see your human side and the challenges you have overcome, as this gives them a reason to like and root for you. Even the highest performing athletes need an authentic story to maintain a strong following.    Stop Focusing on the Shoulds  Whatever you do, do not try to create a USP based on trends or what you think other people want. When you choose to serve a target audience with whom you have nothing in common, there is going to be a disconnect between you and them. Choose an area that you have personal experience in and that is true to you.     Ready to scale up your online fitness business?  Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC