Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Tomorrow my company is hosting a cheerleading competition.  I am prepared, have a plan, have staff and volunteers in place.  However, sometimes when I do events where my company is showcased, I feel... naked.  I am putting myself out there for the world to see, I hate to admit it, but I feel terribly vulnerable and exposed. 

I try to walk in the moment - be the Director.  "You own the company, you work hard, you don`t need approval."  But, on many levels I do need the approval of the people present because I want them to continue to sign their children up for our classes!

Does anyone else struggle in this area?  What have you done to overcome this?  Please share.

Now, don`t get me wrong, as a "cheerleader" I know how to suck it up, put on a smile and gut it out.  But I wish I didn`t feel so naked. 

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Kindra Beauprey Director Liberty Bell Spirit Squad www.libertybells.net

Don`t look at it as a chance to "sell yourself", that makes it stressful, instead look forward to the chance to meet a lot of nice people with high aspirations for their kids and lots of questions about your area of expertise.

This is a chance to make new friends and tell people about your work. Don`t worry about convincing them to sign up, just have a great conversation and ask them about themselves. Guess what, they`ll like you for your genuine interest in them and your subject - the sales will look after themselves.

Good luck with it, and enjoy yourself.


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Don`t look at it as a chance to "sell yourself", that makes it stressful, instead look forward to the chance to meet a lot of nice people with high aspirations for their kids and lots of questions about your area of expertise.

This is a chance to make new friends and tell people about your work. Don`t worry about convincing them to sign up, just have a great conversation and ask them about themselves. Guess what, they`ll like you for your genuine interest in them and your subject - the sales will look after themselves.

Good luck with it, and enjoy yourself.

Exactly - make it about relationship, not signups...  Good luck and let us know how it goes!

R-


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Quaerite Primum Regnum

"There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line."
~ Oscar Levant ~

Twitter: @rossb

I have the same feeling about much of your original post. I just look at it like, well, that`s why this is my job. If it were a hobbie I could choose to have someone else do it, or not do it at all. Therefore, when I have to do something I don`t want to I just realize this is a job that I love. It`s not an easy answer, but that`s what I do.

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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Think about the difference between "approval" versus "validation." Approval is a one-time thing. You get approved for a bank loan, or approved for a driver`s license.

Validation, on the other hand, is an objective proof that your mind works---your reasoning is correct and true (based on reality). Instead of thinking of this as getting approval, try thinking of it as being validated. That you formed a company, people take you as a professional, and when the event logistics all work out, you will be validated.

Stage fright is pretty common, and the only way to deal with it is to steel your will, go out on stage, and perform. If you`re confident in your skills, then your performance should be fine. Then, if you make a mistake, make it with gusto! Bring it out and highlight it. Most people will just assume you meant to do it that way in the first place! :-)

CraigL... that`s so funny you said that!

"Then, if you make a mistake, make it with gusto! Bring it out and highlight it. Most people will just assume you meant to do it that way in the first place! :-)"

As you know, we have some musical background in common. But I remember, as a musician, some interesting things with that exact theme. Sometimes a musician would make an error in the show, and our technique and stage performance would repeat the same error or exploit it for a bit of a laugh. Audiences forgive the mistake, or they eat it up knowing that even though we ROCK, we are human.


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

The competition went amazingly well!  We had nearly 500 people attending.  I couldn`t help but be proud of myself and my company.  I know we made a valuable memory today for so many little girls.  My hope is they will draw upon it for strength for future challenges - "remember when I was so nervous, but I worked so hard and it all came out great?"

Thank you all for your words and advice.  I really concentrated on just doing my one thing - building up little girls.  I was able to put away my insecurities about "what are they thinking" and just had fun.  It was great. 

Thanks!

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Kindra Beauprey Director Liberty Bell Spirit Squad www.libertybells.net

Hi,

I spent 13 years marketing other company`s products...but now that I have my own company and product...yes...I feel so exposed. It is sooo personal  and scary. My first big product is ready to launch and I`m feeling less freaked out because I joined a Toastmasters group that has been so supportive. I can test the waters with presentations etc. I made some great contacts and am ready to go!

Good Luck!

 

 

Wanda,

Good for you.  Tell me more about what you do!

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Kindra Beauprey Director Liberty Bell Spirit Squad www.libertybells.net

I only feel a bit naked when I`m doing a presentation in my underwear in front of 700 people.

Kindra, so glad to hear the event was such a success!

- J.






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