We Make It Harder Than It Is
Sometimes we try too hard. Sometimes we reach too far. Sometimes we take the long way home because we never stopped to think about the easier one.
Are you looking trying to expand your community, your business, your sales, your blog readership? Want more followers on Twitter, more fans on your Facebook page, more members in your community?
I’m going to tell you straight out, there’s one step you can’t skip.
If you want more folks to love what you do, you have to be able to tell them why you love it yourself — clean, clear, fast — in ways they enjoy and understand.
It’s not that hard to do. It works this way …
If we make beautiful glass like this …
… we have to be able to tell people what’s to love about it. Here’s how to do that.
- Find the love stories in what you do. You can love the challenge. You can love the chase. You can love the heroic heritage. You can love what it does for people. You can love the time it saves. I love beautiful glass because it reminds me of the beautiful, beveled mirrors my dad used make. He taught me to appreciate the value of hot-sweat and workmanship.
- Once you have the stories, find the ideal people to share those stories with. The people who love what you love are sure to think a lot like you do. You probably already know some of them. The first ones are probably very close to you. They probably have a few friends who have a few friends. To find the folks who value what you do, just share the irresistible stories and love behind the work that you do.
- Tell the stories in ways that invite them to share stories of their own. Stories connect us in ways that small talk and transactions never will.
- Listen carefully for details and doorways. Their stories will reveal their values — some the same and some unimaginably different from your own.
- Pass on their stories to connect with new people new ways. Those might be people who work with what you make, who want to use it in different ways, who have ideas for partnerships.
The stories of what we value define us and better and faster than anything can. When we share those stories our relationships, our knowledge, our networks and our collections of stories expand. It’s a natural progression.
Whether we’re a huge corporation or a solopreneur, there’s no skipping this step …
If we want more fans, we have be a fan first.
How do you share your love for your work?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Be Irresistible!
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Liz,
You make a great point! We need to be able to communicate what it is we enjoy doing or what we are about. Many individuals are lacking the proper “language” to convey their thoughts in a clear and direct manner. Until we build upon this skill we are ultimately left talking to ourselves.
Hi Matthew!
If we can’t say why we love what we do, how can we convince anyone else to join in with us?
I love it when clients are happy with the results.
I love working online so I can work anywhere and anytime.
Erno,
You are a great role model for anyone who wants to see how to bring joy to the worki. It’s a pleasure to be near you smiling. Thanks for this comment that just proves that. 🙂
The passion we have for ourselves provides a ladder for the clients we work with. Spot-on and beautifully said! Thanks, Liz!
Hi Terri!
Lovely metaphor … the ladder. I can see clients climbing on board using the rungs of our passion. 🙂
Excellent, Liz.
As part of that passionate sharing of stories, one thing you do so well is demonstrate that passion through your actions, not just words.
For example, your recent tweet exchange with my friend Scott Gould, where you quickly responded to his noticing your presence in Chris Brogan’s book ‘Trust Agents’ – fast, responsive and adding value. Now that’s part of my Liz Strauss story worth sharing. 😉
Best, Robin
Robin 🙂
So true, Robin!
Leaders are models in action. I wish I could always respond so quickly to everyone on the Internet. But then my clients might be the ones left waiting. 🙂 heh heh thank you for your encouragement. It’s nice that you point to something I’m doing right.
It’s amazing how often we overlook the simple yet powerful influence of stories.
Hi Dave!
We grow up learning stories. We watch movies and read books that tell us more stories. People pass on lessons through them. Stories capture information in different ways than outlines and reports. Great stories include our feelingful participation. I think that might be what makes them so memorable and so compelling.
I agree. That is why storytelling has been around as long as it has. There is great value in stories and if you find the people who appreciate what you are sharing the more opportunities you will have.
Yeah, Jamie,
Nothing is more powerful than a storyteller who has a roomful of people who value stories. The sharing that can happen if the storyteller also listens can change the lives of everyone who is present. You are so right. Thank you for saying that.
Such a fabulous post.
Let’s put to rest the millions of brand facebook pages. Lets create pages and engage and inspire.
Thanks, Cassie,
I so agree about the millions of Facebook pages. Inspiration is much more compelling than spam solicitation. heh heh
Nicely said. Let’s not just expand numbers but also the quality. People may find it hard to accept or love you if you don’t love yourself first.
Hi Andrew,
Exactly. It’s quality that brings us the kind of fans that stay loyal and that we can learn from. 🙂
Hi Liz;
What you preach is easier said than done especially to new bloggers like us. As a business manager, i know running a blog business won’t be easy. I’ve seen entrepreneurs failed, and being a detached employee, i always reckon that they would have succeed if only these entrepreneurs persisted.
How wrong can I be… Anyway, please teach us how to get traffic, I’ve tried twitter, fb and all sigh…………..
Hi Robin,
I hear your frustration. It’s a LOT of work to do what we do here.
To get traffic you have to be about them, write what they search for and add value of your own thoughts to it.
Network and promote other people 12 times as often as you promote yourself. Work 16 hours a day and stay focused on the end goal.
It’s hard work no matter how we look at it. That’s why you have to love it before you even start.