The Foolproof Technique for People Who Can’t Stand Introducing Themselves

If you can’t stand to answer the question "What do you do?" keep reading. Here is an easy-to-remember, easy-to-use technique that is conversational in nature. It gets the job done with only three lines.

First start by stating the problem you solve. The line starts with "You know how (insert problem)? in the form of a question.

The second line starts with "What I do is (insert how you solve the problem.)

The third line starts with “I’m a (insert your job title.)

Put it all together for a foolproof self-intro that works every time; Perfect for those who can’t stand introducing themselves.

Examples:You know how many young couples dream of buying their first home?
What I do is provide first time homeowner financing to make that possible.
I'm a mortgage broker.

You know how big brands like Starbucks and Target have great visual branding?
What I do is great visual branding for people.
I’m a personal branding coach, specializing in all things visual.

You know how many people struggle with their weight, or have backaches and knee problems?
What I do is relieve pain and reduce weight with strength training, which creates an improved physical condition.
I'm a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach - a personal trainer at the highest level.

Why it worksThe first sentence gets the person your speaking (your audience) with to "go along for the ride." After the first sentence that is in the form of a question you should get a confirming nod or a "yeah" showing that they are "with you." They will "get it" if you have used a highly relatable problem.

The second sentence, states in an easy to understand way what you do. The second sentence "pays off" the first sentence.

The third sentence gives your official title and reinforces sentence two.

 A Few More Tips:
When you use the same word(s) repeatedly, it makes it easier for your audience to understand. The more they "get it" the more likely you are going to hear those three little words, we all long to hear "tell me more!"

Avoid acronyms, or if you use them, explain them. A variation on the last part of the second sentence of the first example might be: I’m a CSCS, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach. You never want your audience to have to guess at what you do.

Remember to keep it simple. It should be simple enough that your average 12 year-old would “get it.” You can always elaborate on what you do.

Be prepared for success by having a few business cards in your purse or pocket, you very well may get asked for one!

Try it out and let me know how it works for you! You just might have to find something else not to stand!

Love thyself; Love thy brand

Any successful businessperson will tell you that they have to authentically believe in the product they offer. Every product has features and benefits, as well as weaknesses and flaws.

In marketing we “tell the better” story. For example if we are marketing Coke, we talk about how it is “the pause that refreshes” not the drink that is full of sugar.

In personal branding – YOU are the product. In order to have a successful business, you need to LOVE the product, you represent – YOURSELF!

As simple as this may sound, many Solopreneurs (solo-entrepreneurs) have a lot of trouble talking about them without apology.  This happens for several reasons. Many of us have been taught at an early age that it is not good to “toot your own horn. We have also been instructed that it is rude to talk about yourself and even worse to talk about yourself in a positive manner. These old beliefs hinder your ability to present yourself in a dynamic, confident manner. When you operate under such a belief system you greatly hinder your ability to have the kind of success you deserve and desire.

Solopreneurs are afraid that they will sound like they are selling themselves. If you can change your belief and know that you have something of value to offer (and YOU DO!) you are then simply letting people know what you do in case they need your help. There is no selling needed. In fact, if you fail to let those you come in contact with know what you do, you are doing them a great disservice.

Next time you introduce yourself remember to do it with pride. Speak clearly, with authority. Leave the apology and self-deprecating attitude behind. You will become instantly more attractive and may even hear the three little words we all long to hear – tell me more!

It’s your brand shout about it!

The Super Simple Secret of Values

When signs or other graphics are hard to read it is often because the VALUE of the colors are too similar. 

Value is a term used to describe the lightness or darkness of colors. 

If you take a color image and convert it to a gray scale image you can easily see what the values of the color are. The same is true when you make a B&W xerox copy of a color page.  

When signs or other graphics are hard to read it is often because the value of the colors used are too similar. 

Look at the example above. You can see they have used two very different colors - red and blue. When the photo of the sign is converted to a gray scale image (the image on the bottom) you can see how similar the grays are. 

If you keep this super simple concept of values in mind when you are putting together your next document, flyer or presentation it will be more attractive and much easier to read. 

It is all a matter of lightness and darkness! 

What Can You Do to Solve the Problem?

Most of the time people are more than willing to tell you what can’t be done and why it can’t be done, specifically and in detail. However, the same person doesn’t offer up any solutions of what CAN be done. Or worst yet, many people are willing to accept, without a protest or contest, defeat.  This “Oh well!” attitude is expensive. Are we all really that willing to give up at the first sign of difficultly? Are you? Do you ever ask yourself what you can do to solve the problem?

When you live in a deadline driven world, like I do, where excuses are not acceptable you learn to be resourceful. The magazine doesn’t care that the client changed their mind fourteen times, they still need the art for your ad before the deadline. If you don’t want to pay for a blank page, you had better get your art in.  End of story.

This willingness to give up is even more baffling when you consider the plethora of resources we all have available at our fingertips. If there is even a hint of a solution, a quick internet search will confirm or deny the suspicion. Chances are the problem you are having, others have had too.

The next time you find yourself explaining to your clint, boss, husband, child, mother, vendor, what you can’t do. Take the next step and offer up what you CAN do to solve the problem, make the situation better, make things easier in the future, etc. Better yet, offer several solutions, with details and options. You’ll be the hero, even if they don’t act on any of them.

Being a problem solver will make you more valuable, and you may even be called a lifesaver!

5 Deadly Reasons that Black is Killing You – Part 5

Deadly Reason #5: Black is Killing Your Digital Brochure

Since the invention of the pdf, digital brochure and all kinds of sales material fly across the world as email attachments or downloads. If you are using large solid areas of black you instantly put up a resistance to printing the document out. You alarm your potential client with a refrain in their brain that goes something like this "Wow, if I print this out it is going to burn thought all of my black ink." I think I will skim through it and see if there is a page worth printing or skip it. 

You may rethink your digital brochure; because what looks good as a physical printed bound brochure you hand someone might not be a practical, usable document to send digitally.

5 Deadly Reasons that Black is Killing You – Part 4

Deadly Reason #4: Black is Killing You in Print

If you use large areas of black with white or colored type in your brochures and other printed material be aware that it could be fatal to your communications. Reversed type is 50% harder to read then dark type on a light background.

When you use a serif font and/or small type it amplifies the readability problem. If your audiences are 40 or over chances are they literally will be unable to read your material and will move on.

The same readability issues occur online with websites, blogs or pages with where you are using black, or dark backgrounds, with white or colored type on them.

Color counts. Stay tuned for more on the color black.

5 Deadly Reason that Black is Killing You - Part 2

See how unflattering
 black can be? 

Deadly Reason #2: Black is killing your looks.  

The harsh reality is when you wear a black top you look severe and unfriendly compared to when you wear a color or even white. If you are female and over 40, this is doubly true. 

If you wear your dark hair long it will blend into your top, which makes you just one big black form from the waist up. If your skin is light, and you wear a black top it makes you look paler by comparison. Plus you run the risk of looking like a "talking head." If you have dark skin you can really end up looking like one, big, dark shape. 

Luckily there is an immediate and quick fix. Simply start wearing lighter or more colorful tops. Even a bright scarf, necklace or necktie will help. You will instantly look younger and friendlier. After you give up the ominous black look, you will become more approachable. You may even feel lighter! 

Color counts. Stay tuned for more on the color black.