What If Your Pants Were On Backward?

If you went to a party and saw a friend wearing their pants backward, would you tell them?  What if it were you with the backward pants? Would you want someone to tell you? And if they did, how would you respond? Would you be angry for the criticism or thankful for the observation? Would you tell yourself, “This is how I’ve always worn them,” and move on? Would you change your pants but put them on the same way, or would you consider the input and ask for advice?

Growing your business demands exploring every possible opportunity to introduce yourself. But more chances to share your message create more chances to send the wrong message. Publishing content with misspelled or misused words…stumbling through an elevator speech that’s unprepared or unfocused…giving a presentation with more “um’s,” “like’s,” and “you know’s” than anyone can count…these are all very much like wearing your pants the wrong way. You may not realize it, but everyone else does. And what it says about you and your business will always overshadow your message.

Whatever your business, it’s crucial to evaluate your message and your delivery to make sure you’re standing out like a superstar, and not sticking out like a sore thumb.  Because the last thing you want to be is the person everyone’s talking about for all the wrong reasons.

The Wordsmith Can Help
If you’d like to review your messaging, I’d love to help! Drop me a message or give me a ring (920-540-3551), and let’s see what we can do to shape your story into one people love to hear and can’t wait to share.

Elevator speech secret: nobody sells to everybody

What I remember most about my first visit to the Wisconsin State Fair was the guy in the vendor building selling “super-shammies.” A miracle of spill management technology, these super absorbent sheets were able to soak up copious amounts of anything you might drip, dribble, or spill. More incredible than the sheets, though, was the way the guy was selling them. Captivated by his voice and amazed by his demonstrations, people (myself included) were feverishly groping for their wallets so as not to miss the special offer available only to the first five (might have been 50) customers.

So how did this marketing magician generate universal appeal? He spoke to everyone in the crowd, individually. He focused not on features and benefits for everyone…

This product is for any household spills.

…but on how a given feature was of particular benefit to someone…

Parents, you’ll love how quickly this product makes that juice-box-mess a memory!
Sports fans, these things will soak a spilled beer out of the sofa in seconds!

When talking about your product or service, don’t describe your ideal customer or perfect referral as, “Everyone who…” or “Anyone who…” Think about who you really want to talk to, and then talk to them in a way that they can understand and relate to. Because even if you could sell to everyone, you’d have to do it one someone at a time!

Want to learn how shape your story into one that really connects with someone? Contact the Wordsmith today!