There are many marketing principles - many ways to effectively reach people.  If we start with the premise that you have a viable product or service then what is the most powerful way to impact your client prospects?

In a word, story.  Your story.  Everyone has a story and your personal story as it relates to what you are about and what you are marketing can be the most impactful. 

Why? Because we all love stories.  And a story with heart touches other hearts.

I was watching NBC's Dateline last night with Stone Phillips playing highlights from his 15 years of interviews and it once again reinforced my belief in the power of stories. Phillips has been interviewing people over the years and I was struck by the variety of people he spoke with and the stories from their lives.  There were celebrities, war veterans, criminals and everyday people. Stories of regret and shame. Stories of triumph over adversity.

Stone Phillips closed the show with a segment that he said was his favorite interview.  It was with his father, a wounded World War Two veteran who was able to turn his disability into an asset and a motivator for his son. It was very touching.  It demonstrated once again the power of sharing our lives, especially the most important and meaningful times that value our love and life lessons. You can read excerpts from Stone Phillips 15 years of interviews online at msnbc.com.

What is your story?  Your life is your story and you should consider how you can utilize as a powerful marketing solution.  As has been often said before, you are selling yourself.