Teaching vs. Doing
February 21, 2012
Like most of us, I started out my working life learning. I was hired by a TV station to be the new weekend producer and after one weekend of training with the previous weekend producer – who was now the 11pm producer – I was on my own. It was the kind of job that went by you like a freight train on fire. But – you learned.
The next thing that happened was I “did”. For many years, I wrote, ran tapes, edited stories, assigned reporters to cover stories and managed the “children”. I was a doer. Next thing you know, I am teaching. Teaching the next weekend producer who came in when I was promoted. And so it goes.
Each of us are a combination of doers and teachers – which one do you like best? If you can zero in on which makes you the happiest, perhaps this is a bit of knowledge you can follow – right into a new career.
Are you a teacher or a doer? If you’re a doer, you’ll probably charge by the hour – if you’re a teacher, you’ll charge by the lesson. Think about it.
Don’t Waste Your Time
January 25, 2012
Once there was a girl who magically thought that she spread goodness and light (read: good information and help) throughout the land. She would go from person to person and try to help them. A lot of times, she would try to help and help and those people would run away – or step on her foot to make her run away. But once in a while, she would find a person who said, “oh yes please….that’s exactly the kind of help I need!” and all was right with the world.
I am sure your story is a lot like that of the little girl — she’s so excited about the goodness and light she has to share that she becomes convinced EVERYONE wants the same brand of goodness and light. Well, if you find yourself saying to someone “oh, everyone is my perfect client” you’re in for a few stomps on the foot yourself.
Finding your perfect client starts with clarity – about what you do, what you can offer and what need that offer serves. Sure there are many, many people who need what you have to offer — but they simply don’t know it yet. They may not be ready for you – and that is their choice. If you learn a few solid gold questions that will ferret out the people who easily raise their hands when you start to talk about what you are offering, life (and your success in business) will be a LOT more enjoyable. Help those who want the help – from the rest: run away.
All you have is your time and your life energy. These are so valuable and precious. Decide to only share your goodness and light with those who rise up to meet you and you will begin to see who that “perfect client” really is — and it’s NOT everyone!
The “secret” to your most successful marketing
January 17, 2012
What is it they say? “There are only seven stories in the world and Shakespeare wrote them all”. Are there any new stories or have they all been told? Boy sees girl, boy chases girl, boy catches girl, Bruce Willis steals girl. You know…the standards. If we are all doing the same things – how can they be different?
For example, if I am a carpenter, I learn my trade and the accepted methodologies. But after a while, I begin to learn from my own experience as well. I start bringing myself to the task. I may even have my own way of doing, changing, improving on what I do and this body of knowledge and skill called “carpentry”. It may be technically the same as other good and accomplished carpenters, but I bring that unique piece to the table to make it just — well, completely unique.
In the big picture, this is how a craft evolves. In the more immediate, more personal picture – this is called a key differentiator of the first order. These bits of “special” you bring to the carpenter world are what your perfect client will become attracted to – and ultimately what will be responsible for the most important growth of your business. Bar none.
mary jo cranmore
