Executive Business Coach Chuck Boyce’s Blog: Make It Personal“Keep it professional” is a common refrain in the business world. But it can be just as important, if not more so, to “make it personal.” That means in order for you to really connect with clients and prospects, you need to be more than a business transaction. That means sharing something of yourself beyond the details of a deal. Think about what makes a bad date. You and the other person sit there and stare at each other across the table at a restaurant. Or, more likely, the two of you stare at the menus, because you have absolutely nothing to talk about. That’s usually the first and last date – you certainly don’t want to start a relationship with someone you can’t have a conversation with. Well, for many people, that applies to a business relationship as well as a personal one. Start with what’s on your mind in your everyday life. For example, do you have a family? Talk about your kids. You’re a sports fanatic? Show some love for your favorite team. By demonstrating what’s important to you personally, you create the potential for a genuine connection. One marketer I know tweets about his alma mater’s football team every weekend. Even though most of his clients don’t really care about that team, they know to ask him about it – and it immediately gives them a topic of conversation. It’s seems silly – but it raises the comfort level in sending out an email or making a call. It’s usually called small talk – but it can be a large component in your overall business bonds. Obviously, you don’t want to be too controversial (the rule about avoiding politics and religion is truer than ever) and you want to watch just what you reveal about yourself (Arrested with a hooker? Maybe keep that under your hat… J), but it’s mostly common sense to know what to avoid talking about. And, actually, I’m not just referring to talk when it comes to making it personal. I’m also talking about your official bio, your blogs, your Facebook page (you can see from mine that I’m a fan of Harry Connick Jr.’s music), or wherever you put yourself in the public eye. Getting small personal details into whatever your mode of presentation happens to be immediately makes you human. And that’s the one big thing you’re guaranteed to have in common with whoever your audience is. “Independent Executive” Chuck Boyce is an experienced small business coach who can help you get the most out of your business. For more information on how you achieve your business goals, go to www.breakingfreeblog.com. Leave a Reply |
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