The power of effective testimonials
by Michael S. Clouse

Below please find the note I used to record this month's Leadership Call. For maximum benefit, please refer to these notes while you're listening to the recorded call.

Every weekly business briefing—and so too with larger events—needs to include powerful, effective testimonials, or stories, during the presentation for the benefit of both distributors and new guests alike.

These stories should be divided 50% product and 50% money, or lifestyle, stories.

So how can you ensure that your events contain powerful and effective stories? Well, if you will immediately implement the following four suggestions you'll be well on your way to understanding why the right words, at the right time, are exactly what your new prospects came to hear...

1. Every distributor needs to create their own testimonial—
   or story—regarding the product and the money.
2. Write it down. Your story should include: your name,
   where you live, your background or occupation, followed
   by your product or money story.
3. When it comes to your product story, again make sure
   you have one, write it down and practice giving it until
   you can cover every point in 30 to 45 seconds.
4. When it comes to your money story, again make sure
   you have one, write it down and practice giving it until
   you can cover every point in 30 to 45 seconds. However, I
   would like to suggest that you consider converting your
   money story to your lifestyle story...

Let me explain: Why would someone who is already making $10,000 per month want to join your business? Because of the lifestyle!

Not fighting the traffic is lifestyle Being home with your kids is lifestyle. Doing work that brings you satisfaction is lifestyle. Waking up after you're finished sleeping is lifestyle.

Instead of earning $400 in your home-based business, ask yourself what are you doing with the $400? And if the answer is that you are buying back your life (instead of retiring at 65 you're going to be able to do so at 55) that's lifestyle.

What sounds more impressive? I earn $700 per month in my home-based business, or with the extra money our business provides, we were able to take another dream vacation to Aruba!

Take the time to prepare your product and lifestyle story. Write it all down and practice both until you know them like you know your own name. Then make sure you inform your local leadership team that you've got two powerful and effective stories, and you're ready to let the world know....

Creating Your Story Outline

Keep your story to 30 to 45 seconds!

What is the goal? To relate, relate, relate, to as many people as possible.

Your name, your location, your background, how you were introduced to your business, or why you decided to become a distributor, and what this business has done, or is doing for you... Remember relate, relate, relate!

Example: My name is Michael Clouse... My wife and I have two grown children and live in Seattle. Prior to becoming an Associate with The XYZ Company, I had gone from an Account Executive position with AT&T, to Editor-in-Chief of a business magazine, to a small business owner...and then this home-based business thing just kind of fell in my lap. Well, I took a look, liked what I saw, got involved—and using the system they taught me, went to work on a very a part-time basis… Today, just about four short years later, I'm earning over $100,000 a year, take a vacation with my family every other month, and I'm still only working about three days a week! The bottom line is that getting involved with this company continues to be one of the single best decisions I have ever made. A total of 41 seconds!

This story relates to: Seattle, married, children, white collar worker, sale person, technology, journalism, small business owner, there is a system you can follow, part-time, six figure income, travel/vacations.

Because if everyone would just take a few minutes and work on this simple and yet vital aspect of your business, together we'll all sponsor even more guests at the events... And after all that's what we all want isn't it?

All the best,

MSC

P.S. And now it's your turn! Read books , listen to
the CDs ,take the classes , and build something magnificent!

© 2002 by Michael S. Clouse. All Rights Reserved.

About the author: In addition to over 50 published articles on the subject of Network Marketing, Michael S. Clouse is the author of numerous books and CD programs on the subject of Network Marketing. An internationally recognized Network Marketing expert, Michael is a well respected business consultant, personal success coach, and a dynamic educational speaker. His weekly newsletter is read by tens of thousands of Network Marketing Professionals around the world.