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You had me at hello ... or did you?
 Posted
10/29/2009 2:22:00 PM
From the "Everyday Creativity For Real People" series
How many times have you met someone and forgotten their name before you finished shaking hands? Dozens?
Hundreds? Gazillions? Don't worry, it's not a tumor - it's just human nature.
But conversely, how many people have made an immediate and unforgettable impression on you? Probably not gazillions, or even dozens, but I'm sure there have been some. In the first few moments of contact something happened that left a mark on you like a crazed monkey on your back with a permanent marker.
Whatever they said or did might have been funny, tacky, intellectual, sexist, rude, erudite, tasteless, mind boggling or just so gosh darn earnest that you wanted to take that person home and keep him as a pet. The question is: was it intentional, accidental or was it just that person unselfconsciously being himself?
Marketers and advertisers spend invest thousands of hours and gray hairs creating the perfect first impression for their products and services.
What do you do?
That's right… you. What do you do to market yourself? After all, what could be more important than you? You are your number one product or service. How do you know that the next person you meet won't be your future largest customer, a potential BFF or maybe even Mr. or Mrs. Right? Suppress your gag reflex on the Mr. or Mrs. Right line - I know it was corny but I'm trying to make a point here.
It matters. Don't hand me that false-modesty "I'm shy and just want to avoid the limelight" crap. Everyone wants to be remembered. Everyone deserves to be remembered. Every time you meet someone you are going to make a first impression, memorable or otherwise. It's your responsibility to ensure that you are remembered for the right reason.
"That sounds risky."
Yup. If you prefer to be un-memorable, play it safe.
"I could make a fool of myself."
Guaranteed. No matter which approach you feel comfortable with, some people just won't get it. So what? As long as your approach is genuine for you, then you are only losing people with whom you wouldn't have connected anyway.
"But I'm not funny."
Perfect. You don't have to be funny and… you should never start a sentence with 'but'. Being funny is a great way to be memorable and engaging, but it isn't the only tool in your creative tool box.
"Okay, so what do I do?"
Apparently you've mistaken me for your mother. I can't tell you specifically what to do. I can only advise you to follow your heart and look for what makes you unique. Unique is a grossly overused word and a mystically esoteric quality that is sought after like some kind of personality holy grail.
BUT… everybody has something.
Oh yeah - breaking the rules is encouraged.
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Spin Doctor
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The Spin Doctor bloggeth!
I couldn't agree with you more. Certain people 'stick' with you for whatever reason. Why fade into the background when you can be the subject? And, in detail! Here's to showing myself in high-resolution.
Blog more often.
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Posted By
Melissa
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10/29/2009 5:23:11 PM
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One of your best, Doc!
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Posted By
KJ
On
10/29/2009 5:02:24 PM
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