Quick, tell me what you do. You have 3 seconds to interest me. Can you do
it?
Did you think to yourself, 'I own a pesticide company' or 'I am in customer
relations with XYZ Corp'? Or if you are in a home-based business, did you think
'I sell XYZ brand cosmetics' or 'I am a virtual assistant'.
Blah!
"But, that is what I do" you are saying.
Yes, but the next statement from your audience is NOT going to be "Oh
really, tell me more."
You have a few seconds to make an impression with people and while they
might like you
from the conversation, they are not likely to remember what you do, because, well, really they don't care.
No, really they don't. Sad fact, but the truth. And truth be told, neither do we. It is just a polite question and we receive the answer just as politely.
But, what if you make them care? Or at least sit up and take notice? Because instead of just -oh, ho-hum, telling them what business you are in, you tell them how that business can help them. You present yourself as "The Problem Solver."
Really, isn't that what marketing boils down to?
- Identifying a problem
- Offering a solution to the problem.
So, what problem do you solve and how do you do it differently? You want to
be able to say in as few words as possible who you work with, what their main
challenge or frustration is, and how you help solve the problem or achieve their
desired results.
Let's look at one of the above examples:
"I own a pesticide company" - What about saying "You know how people have a
problem getting rid of such and such a pest in this area? Well, I provide
treatment for homeowners using kid and pet friendly pesticides."
What is different? I changed a simple statement into an
example of a common problem to that area and gave a benefit of my business that
is of interest to a lot of people.
What will happen? The person listening now relates you to
either a problem they have or that someone they know does AND they bank that
information in their brain because it is different than what they have heard
before and it is of BENEFIT.
Now, you try. List the problems that you commonly see in your
industry. List the benefits of your product or service. Now, it is just fill
in the blank "You know how _________(fill in the blank with the
challenge or frustration)? Well, I _______(fill in the blank with the results
you offer) to help those people."
Have an Inspired Day!
This is a great tip! And so true. You want to engage people and get them thinking. It's great because it can easily start a conversation.
Posted by: Kim | October 02, 2009 at 05:03 PM