“When you cannot make up your mind which of two evenly balanced courses of action you should take, choose the bolder.”
— General WJ Slim, British Commander of the 14th Army in Burma
Ever get that feeling that you should have acted sooner? Smarter? Bolder?
Ever get the sense that your competitors have a leg up on you? Why is that? Are they better than you? Or are they simply doing a better job of promoting themselves?
How many business icons made their mark by playing it safe?
How many millionaires got there by saving money?
How many successful people distinguished themselves by blending in?
How willing are you to take the bold steps and promote yourself in a meaningful way that really excites others?
There’s no reason why you cannot go toe-to-toe with the “big boys.” That’s if you have the determination to up your game and bet on yourself.
I’m willing to bet on you.
If you genuinely believe you’re the right choice, then show them why. Not what you do and how you got here. But why it matters. To them. Deliver a smart message with professionalism and polish. Find your true voice. Use it boldly and share your passion.
And it’s okay to show a little swagger. You’ve earned it, right?
Never lose sight of how you do things differently and why it matters.
Get creative. Present yourself in a way that is clever and believable. Remember, you’re likely not the best there is, so get over it. (There’s only one “best.”) Instead, demonstrate why you’re the better choice.
And make it about them. They should be your focus, not you. When it’s time to blow your horn (remember, swagger), let your customers’ words do it for you.
You can’t be all things to all people. Put a stake in the ground and stick to your Brand Promise. Distinguish yourself in a way that moves your audience and makes them want to learn more. They want to be inspired.
You can be the one they think of first. The one they remember. The one they trust. The one they refer others to.
Does this feel like a gamble? The real gamble is in your inaction. How about betting on yourself for a change? After all, you control the odds.
“We all shine on. Like the Moon and the stars and the Sun.”
— John Lennon, Peacemaker
Now it’s your turn to shine.
You can do this.
We can do this together.
This is your best opportunity.
Still have cold feet over this? Sheesh. Then try this.
Related Posts
Your Credibility is On(the)line
When you meet new prospects, network or attend industry events, the moment you hand out your business card, your credibility will be on the line. If you’ve taken a long time to build a first-rate reputation, don’t let a second-rate website undo it.
Five Messages to Avoid in Your Marketing
Common clichés, tired sales pitches and unrealistic claims no longer work. In fact, they’ll likely be viewed as disingenuous and undermine your marketing efforts. Here, we’ve outlined five ineffective marketing messages and what you can do to avoid using them.
Another Do-it-Yourselfer Just Got Burned
You cannot do it all and do it all well. Nobody can. I certainly can’t. Instead, I’m spending my time doing what I do best to make money and hire seasoned professionals to help with the rest.
Why aren’t you?
A Story that’s Never Completely Told.
Building a great brand is never once-and-done. It’s more than a name, logo and graphics. It’s a frame of mind — an experience — with a narrative that stays relevant and makes its audience part of the story.
The Tagline: Your Stake in the Ground
The tagline is not about who you are or what you sell. It’s about them: your target audience. So, you better make sure it’s concise, direct and memorable, so they recall it the each time they hear your name.
8 More Ways You could be Losing Customers Before You Get Them (part 2)
Here is our second installment of tips addressing ways you could be missing business opportunities without even realizing it.