A recent conversation with friends reminded me of a date I went on a few years ago, and the fact that how you present yourself online may be misrepresentative to others, even if it’s technically accurate.
It wasn’t actually a blind date; the man in question popped up whilst I was online dating. He’d worked in antiques for over 20 years, had travelled the world through that job, and had recently moved to an upmarket area not far from my home. He looked very nice and had a shy, gentle, almost enigmatic smile.
Excited about the date, I arrived in the restaurant early. When my date arrived, he was indeed very nice; however, he didn’t meet my expectations based on the information he’d given. He did work in antiques, that was true, but he was a delivery person rather than an antiquities expert. His global travel was to deliver customers’ purchases safely and he’d never actually had a holiday outside of the UK. He did live within the boundary of the prosperous area he’d told me, but on a rough estate at the edge of town, where knife crime was rife.
None of those factors alone would have stopped me from seeing this man again, however – the reason he’d smiled so enigmatically was that he had a mouth full of missing teeth!
Nothing he’d told me was untrue, and he didn’t say anything in a deceitful way. He was as open and honest as he could be.
Transpose this into a business scenario. Do you describe yourself and/or your products and services in a clear, precise way? I’m sure you’ll answer yes… Now look again, this time through your potential clients’ eyes. Is your description open to interpretation? Could there be a miscommunication based simply on their expectations misaligning with yours?
Social media is the perfect forum to showcase your offering – just give an extra couple of minutes thought to be as sure as possible that the person at the other end will appreciate exactly what you’re offering in the way you intend.
In other news…
If you’re thinking about booking a 121 Power Hour, you’ll be pleased to know that I’m offering a 10% discount to anyone who networks in the same groups as I do. This includes YBC, ELBP, Havering Means Business, Redbridge Chamber of Commerce, Barking & Dagenham Chamber of Commerce or the AJBN. Offer applies to any sessions booked before 1st November and carried out during the rest of 2022.
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