& no holding back

Last week, we talked about gaining traction for your business, within the right market.

This market must be full of early adopters (low resistance to change) with their ears to the ground (on the lookout for change) who have spare $$—and who are also talkative sharers.

What do those “talkative sharers” want?

Something to talk about. And that’s where you come in.

To get noticed, to gain influence with your market—to gain their ears and keep their loyal interest in your company—you’re going to need to say something noticeable.

You’re going to need to voice strong opinions.

There are a lot of people reading this right now who are fond of being “behind the scenes.” Perhaps you’re just not comfortable being the mouthpiece for your company. Maybe you know your work is awesome, and you’re sure that the world will “get it” without your calling attention to yourself.

Keep that up, and you’ll discreetly fade into the woodwork of business history.

Voice those strong opinions. Customers expect it and require it. Bland does not tell what’s unique and worth sharing about you.

Bland does not sell.

Don’t hold back on your opinions, or your knowledge in your field. Customers come to you…

(if they do come to you)

… because you’re the expert.

Other folks don’t know, and don’t care, like you do. Even your most valued customers have a more casual interest than you do, and a tiny window of time in which they’re listening to you. They’ve got their own fish to fry. Shake ‘em up while you hold their attention—even if what you have to say is unexpected or controversial. Your experience, opinions, and knowledge can lift doubt (and kick out lukewarm customers you don’t want).

An expert is allowed to be passionate about their field. Heck, if you can’t defend the merits of what you do—vigorously—why do you expect customers to talk you up vigorously?

Be controversial, even an instigator, in moderation. (Check yourself right before the words “shrill” or “close-minded” come up in a conversation about you.) Don’t shy away from a little publicity—and give ‘em a sound bite or two.

If you believe you can truly help your customer with what you sell, but you hold back on what you believe, your customers may never hear about you…

… or worse yet, they hear about you and can’t remember you long enough to talk about you.

There’s no room for sissies in your successful business plan.

Make some noise!

Grow and be well,

Kelly Erickson