Putting your face in front of your company can be intimidating. Why? Well, many people are afraid that social media will cast them in a bad light. That's possible. But, if you hide behind the curtain and don't give people a clear look at who you are, then they will make their own conclusions – right or wrong.
In the classic film The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy was told the Wizard was a good wizard. He was going to solve her problems. So off she went to Oz. What she discovered when she got there was something else. You could say he turned out to be a horse of a different color. He didn't come across as a good wizard at all. But he had what she wanted and she was going to get that broomstick and hold him to his word. Is this how you want your relationship to be with your customers?
Do you want them work with your company just because you happen to be the best at what you do right now? Of course not. We all want to be loved and respected for not just what we do, but how we do it, and more importantly who we are when we are taking care of our customers.
When Dorothy finally pulled the curtain back on the Wizard she discovered a kind-hearted fellow who was more than happy to help out. He was like an old friend. Actually, he was an old friend, right? You see, when you get your face out in front of your audience, your marketplace, it personalizes your brand. It makes the brand more human and relevant because there is an emotional connection. Soon, you become the brand, complete with freckles, wrinkles, and other imperfections that serve to reinforce the real person behind that logo that otherwise represents your company.
Have you ever wondered why artists sell most of their art in person at shows, fairs, or gallery openings? When you meet the artist and get to know them personally you immediately make the connection between their life and what is on that canvas. There is an emotional connection. I believe this is possible with social media. A painting can be a pretty picture or it can be a visual image that is full of the the emotions that give life so much texture. In the same way, your image reveals so much and helps to create that connection that helps to build your business community. Sure, it takes some courage to pull back the curtain on your life, but any artist will tell you that's the only way you are going to make those connections that build communities of loyal fans — customers and friends.
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