Like It Or Not... You're a Public Figure

Right before your eyes... my age group became your target customer.

Leading and managing in 2017 is a challenge, especially with our (according to studies) 5 second attention spans. One thing I like to preach to anyone who will listen, is whether you like it or not... you are a public figure.

Now, technically you don't have to be. As my 7th grade teacher would say... only things you have to do is die and pay taxes. But, if you want to build any sort of brand in 2017 or make any kind of upward movements in Corporate America... you have to come to grips with the fact everyone is in everyone's business.

As my age group becomes your target customer in insurance, real estate, medical etc., it's important for companies and brands to evolve towards our way of thinking. Most importantly... the age beneath us is even more tech-savvy and driven by social media.

Instead of yelling at the kids to get off of your lawn, make sure your brand is mindful of what those 25-35 year-olds want, need and feel.

I know we Milennials are the worst! However... we're now buying your products... surprise!

In the picture above from "I Love You Man," Paul Rudd's character Peter Klaven struggles to sell The Incredible Hulk's Hollywood Hills estate. This is until Sidney, played by Jason Siegel, takes $8,000 and invests in billboards throughout Los Angeles with Peter's mug all over The City of Angels.

Peter became came to grips with the important fact : He's a Public Figure.

The first thing I tell all of our agents and anyone who wants to listen... if I can't find a picture of you online... I'm not going to buy from you. Plain and simple. This is a new way of consumer-thinking that 25-35 year-olds live by. If any of our agency owners don't have a picture of themselves in a google-image search... I tell them they lose a sale a day.

Did you just get off of the phone with a prospect/client? I'll bet you $10 they just Googled you and browsed your LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Did they not find you? They aren't buying.

You're a public figure.

One thing that's pretty popular, is having 2 separate Facebook/Twitter/Instagram accounts. While I can understand this, it's also an old way of thinking. It's like people that are worried about hackers getting their credit card/personal info: believe me, if a hacker wants your info... they're going to get it. It stinks, but there's really nothing you can do about it anymore.

If someone wants to view your "Personal" Facebook... they'll be able to find it.

We literally just elected a POTUS because of Twitter. While there are many other causes to the election of a man with no political experience, The Trump Brand has evolved better than any business over time... allowing Donald J Trump to Tweet his way to the oval office. Love it or hate it... he played the game... and he won... Trump allowed himself to be a Public Figure from an early age.

Another phrase I like to tell sales people is that computers are only as smart as human's program them to be. This falls in line with search-engine optimization. While I won't deep dive into SEO/coding, it's just important to know that Google basically rules all. Your job as a brand, company, salesperson, entrepreneur, etc... is heavily reliant on what Google tells a consumer. If you aren't on the first-page of a Google search... you aren't a successful business.

Think like the Search Engine is something I often say. If someone Googles "Insurance Salt Lake City," will they find your agency? No? You're losing sales.

While I'm the first to admit it feels weird... welcome to The Future, where everyone is a Public Figure.