This week– in particular– has been a bad week for business owners… at least in my humble opinion. I’ve seen actual doctors running solo-businesses begging for emotional support on facebook. I’ve seen a therapist post what can only be described as a violent tantrum on her blog. And I’ve seen another expert “hinting” about her 5th big “website reveal” with a “new hot secret” and a really cool new professional title for herself: ending in “ista” of course.
Can we still say gag me with a spoon?
Good.
Gag me with a friggin’ spoon!
Aside from my general disdain for constant whining and lamenting absent action, this “poor me” positioning will lead to a POOR YOU indeed. But that’s not what I came to talk about today. Today, I want to talk about TWO SIDES of your business….
That aimed towards your clients and prospects and patients.
and
That aimed toward your competitors.
The downside to social media’s dramatic jump in popularity among all age groups is that you can safely assume that your clients see what your competitors see and vice versa. Bottom line: nothing revealed to SOME stays hidden very long. What you post for your clients will be seen by your competitors, and vice versa.
Here are some general rules about your public persona… and the best thing to do with your competitors:
You want to astonish you clients, but confuse your competitors.
There is NO NEED for full reveals at every turn. Just like in dating and marriage and business, leave a LITTLE something to the imagination. Those who consider themselves my competitors scratch their heads about my success, my referral sources, my big name clients, and more.
WHY? Because I refuse to kiss and tell every detail. I have no need to have my ego stroked, and I refuse to freely divulge ways “they” can stop flying coast to coast chasing media opps and speaking opps and start making the money they want. Truthfully, I’m VERY okay with them investing their time and money in this way. It serves me well. Bottom line: YOu’d have to REINVENT less if you kept a LITTLE something under the hood.
Your public persona… the crap you tweet about and post about on facebook… is PUBLIC.
That means we can see it. So can that big wig you’re hoping will take you seriously. So can your mastermind members you want to respect you. So can that client sitting on the fence. So, for God’s sakes, quit begging for someone to like you, delete what you can and gather what’s left of your self respect. You’re a grown up first… a business owner second. But the first should be enough. Stop already! You’re running a REAL business… you’re not some pimply faced teenager anymore.
Side note: Don’t post your money woes if you’re a “law of attraction” expert. Don’t complain about how nobody’s buying when you’re a sales expert. Don’t hint about patients you hate if you are a physician. I wish all of this stuff went without saying.
Last side note: This doesn’t mean be fake, or inhuman. It means be discerning. You do not have to act happy, happy, happy 24.7. But, You ALSO do NOT have to post every single thought or doubt or fear that pops into that pretty little head of yours. You are a thinking person…. so think. You’re a professional, so act like it.
We all have public personas and reputations these days. Common sense and discernment can protect them. That’s all for now… =)
