Just be honest.
Some people will like your message, and others won't. That's OK, because you are only interested in the ones that do.
Brutally Honest
My friend Dr Marc Swerdlick is a brilliant marketer – but his message is not for everyone. And that is exactly why he is so successful as a marketer, and as a small business owner. He doesn't compromise. He doesn't water down his message to attract a larger audience.
When you know Dr Marc personally, you understand his brash style of marketing reflects exactly who he is. He's not trying be controversial; he just is. Many are offended by his style. And many others laud his pragmatic approach because it has helped them to get results. Customers choose what they like.
One Size Doesn't Fit All
If you blog long enough, you will get comments that your content is either too general or too specific. This is the Goldilocks syndrome. It's never just right!
You will be appreciated most when you do what you believe is right. That's all you can do. Great artists like the Beatles and Bob Dylan understood this. That's honesty.
There is a range of capabilities and experience with any group, market, or audience. And it is easy to respond to that by adjusting your message. When you do that, everyone loses – both you and your customers.
Yesterday my post gave my 27 favorite blogging tips. I wrote them for those that were saying I don't give enough practical steps for getting results. I could have given them 101 tips! I get them, because when I sit in on presentations by those that do what I do, I am often thinking that while they may know a lot about what works for them, I need to know how to get results with my business.
One size doesn't fit all. Having consulted with many small businesses, I can assure you they are all different – different markets, different capabilities, and different goals. That is why I try help my audience understand the larger picture so that they can then better help themselves – without me, by learning with me.
Help the Ones You Can Help
I can't help everyone and neither can you. Your style, your message, and your experience will only work with those that you understand, and that understand you.
Read Seth Godin's new book – Linchpin. He covers at length those fears that we all deal with that compromise our work. And he provides some great insights and practical tips for exorcising those demons.
If you are an entrepreneur or small business owner who wants to learn how to use social media well, I believe you are at the right place – one of them anyway.
Stick around for a while. Subscribe to this blog and I will help you to enhance your Web visibility, enhance your reputation, and attract more of the right customers.
The ones that are right for you.
Photo Credit: Mimax
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