No more BS Stories!

Everyone has taken to telling stories. But there are those marketing stories that leave me with a B.E.R. That's a Big Eye Roll: "Come on, is THAT even true?"

My tolerance quite runs out when the level of TRUTH is tested in some online communication. In fact, I recently noticed that a lot of stories tend to be a little formulaic - and that could lead the authenticity to feel "too crafted" to be true.

While I have also had quite a few pivots in my approach to online messaging, and what I am trying to achieve, I've had this idea on my mind for some time now about AUTHENTICITY. Just knowing how the little hairs on the back of my neck begin to stand upright when I hear one of those stories coming on, I think many people have have developed an accuse sense of BS Detecting.

I honestly think the time has come to really explore better connection with the stories we tell. It all begins by being truthful and upfront about what you're doing, what people expect and what they can get out of doing business with you. Truthfully.

THOUGHTS ABOUT BEING MORE TRANSPARENT IN BUSINESS

I paused and thought for a while, to see if I could come up with more "business truths" to help me resonate better with clients. I'd love to hear of some of these could work for you:

1. Don't separate your Private Life

I think it is important to be a "real" person, instead of a cardboard cutout of a "business" person. Let clients twee who you are, what you love, what inspires and moves you. I think this new age of TRUTH requires us to be more transparent. I work to break down those "professional barriers" that kept it all as strictly business. I want to work with people I like, and I hope that they like me too. Warts and all.

If you're a bigger business, it's probably a good idea to identify values that could resonate with your clients. There is more that makes us all alike, then what separates us. Turn clients into friends and you'll see a huge difference.

2. Forget about being the Prefect Professional

Things happen. Live, really. So you mess up every once in a while. It's ok, so does everyone else. It is impossible to be flawless, and while you don't want to become average - it certainly is ok to raise your hand sometimes and say: "I screwed up!"

Clients do expect you to do the best that you can. And when you mess up, be sure to fix it and then some. But to be the Perfect Professional, is putting unnecessary stress on yourself. Be ok to be your best, because mostly I see a lot of people being ok with simply ok.

3. Tell your Business Story

Time to get over the fear paralysis of "getting your story right". If you're constantly crafting and editing and re-working the story of your brand, you're probably just beating the life and personality out of it. No one wants to hear a carefully crafted lie.

Tell your story. Simply.

Maybe it doesn't make you look like a superhuman. That's ok. At least it is real and it has heart. What moves you? Why do you do what you do? How did you stumble into this? Show people why you care and let them see themselves in you. Begin by showing your vulnerable self.

IDEAS AROUND VULNERABILITY

If you've been working on your corporate facade for too long, this might be harder than you imagined to show a bit of vulnerability. Start by talking to people for a few minutes before or after a meeting. Really talk: Kids & Schools. Holidays. Things that keep you awake at night.

Think about little extras that could start conversations. Perhaps a shared interest in a Netflix show. A Movie. A great book you recently read.

Next, see if you can take it beyond five minutes of engagement and make it stick. I love connecting over a cappuccino and a croissant. It really costs nothing to be a little more authentic in business. Make connections.

When in doubt, go with an authentic story.

This coming Thursday 30th June, be sure to catch my show, High Noon LIVE on LinkedIn with Nico Steyn. My studio guest is Online Marketing Specialist, Chief Strategist KK DIAZ from A-Game Business Consulting. We are going to talk about really important aspects of Brand & Personality Online, Inbound Marketing and the Online Sales Stories you could tell to make better business.

Please click the link to register and help us gather 200 Followers on our My Big Smartup page in order to start streaming more regularly there: https://www.dhirubhai.net/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6945248135887630338/

Regards, Nico.?