Oct. 13 2008 at 2:49 PM
ocbizchick Posted by: ocbizchick
This quote was sent to me at the right time and was the kick in the pants that I needed...
 
It's by author Karen Salmansohn who wrote "How to Be Happy Dammit"
“Basically, most people are lazy, busy and fearful. So if you’re trying to sell something, the more vague you are, the more you stir up fear in people- because they can’t fully see what it is they are potentially buying. And out of laziness and busy-ness, they’re less likely to put in the effort of imagining more fully what you’re selling.
‘So more than ever a book packager — or any entrepreneur — has to put in the extra time and effort of creating a mock-up of their work, to help buyers — an agent, an editor, or any client - better fully see what you are pitching. We must dare to put ourselves, our ideas and egos, boldly and fully into the world. That’s where being ballsy comes into play. Time and again I realize that most of my career success has not been due to my talent, but due to my ballsiness about how I’ve gotten my work out into the world."

I think this is especially true now that there is so much uncertainty in the market!
 
Wendi
 
Wendi Liechty
Business & Marketing Coach for
The Casual Entrepreneur
http://www.TheCasualEntrepreneur.com

 
 
 
 
Oct. 13 2008 at 4:42 PM
CraigL Posted by: CraigL
Jeez, this Karen person sounds like a real grump! "Most people are lazy, busy and fearful?" Good grief!

There always have been two basic ways to persuade people. The one is to sell on fear and disaster. The other is to sell on benefits and incentive.

I guess it depends on each of us how we want to interact with the world around us. Insurance is a good example, where one person focuses on the catastrophic results of pain and suffering, offering insurance as a consolation prize.

The other person focuses on.....what?
Craig Landes
---
Defining the undefinable. "There are 10 kinds of people in the world---those who understand binary numbers and those who don't." - Unknown

International Society of Curmudgeons
Oct. 13 2008 at 4:57 PM
ocbizchick Posted by: ocbizchick
Hi Craig,
 
I forgot to add, she is more of a comedian / cynic, so the tone is meant to be fun.
 
I think  you are exactly right as far as benefits and incentives and her point is not to operate from fear but to remove it by being clear about what benefits you offer, or people may not get it... and they probably don't have the time to try and imagine what it is that you are trying to say. 
 
 In summary it told me I needed to be completely clear to remove the fear and uncertaintly that potential clients often experience before hiring someone... and I learned that having clarity and specifics works wonders!
 
Wendi
 
Wendi Liechty
The Casual Entrepreneur
http://www.TheCasualEntrepreneur.com
 


Edited by: ocbizchick - Oct. 13 2008 at 5:01 PM
Oct. 13 2008 at 10:20 PM
CraigL Posted by: CraigL
Right! Except you didn't mention Karen's a cynical comedienne...LOL!!
But okay, I get the idea. :-D
Craig Landes
---
Defining the undefinable. "There are 10 kinds of people in the world---those who understand binary numbers and those who don't." - Unknown

International Society of Curmudgeons


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