Small Business Marketing - How Important Are Your First Words?

"What do you do?" It just might be one of the most asked questions there is, at least here in America.

Are you prepared to answer this question and make a positive impression for your business at various networking (and social) events you attend?

How about this one... When you go to a business event and everyone in the room gets to make a 30-second introduction, do you feel like you know how to gain attention and interest from any potential prospects or referral sources in the room?

Just how important are your first words?

Being prepared for these two most common small business scenarios can literally mean the difference between great marketing success and ongoing marketing frustration.

You know you need to be out there getting the word out about you and your services. But, if you're not sure how to command attention and interest in what you have to offer, you're missing way too many opportunities to connect with potential prospects.

I'd like to share a couple of stories of both struggle and success with you to try and illustrate the power of being able to verbally express yourself in these common business situations. Names are not shared to protect the innocent, but the stories are real. I'd challenge you to see if maybe you see yourself at all in these scenarios.

Story of Struggle

I was meeting with an individual who had been in business for himself for eight or nine months. When I asked him what sort of marketing initiatives he had been pursuing, he said he'd been devoting all of his efforts to networking.

He had joined a number of networking organizations (several to the tune of $200 to $300), but was very frustrated that he had not acquired one single client in that time. He had received a couple of referrals, but none of them had produced any results for his business.

So I asked him what his approach had been for talking with folks and for introducing himself to groups. He told me that he thought it was important to make sure people understood the breadth of services his company could offer and the depth of his extensive experience in helping organization enhance their processes and productivity (blah, blah, blah).

The primary goal was to set up a demonstration meeting to show the prospect the power of the tools and resources he had at his disposal.

Unfortunately, this approach was doing nothing to make him unique or memorable to those receiving his message.

So again I'll ask you, how important are your first words? Be honest. Have you ever experienced any thing like this for yourself and your business?

Story of Success

A financial advisor was at a networking group that he had been attending for several months. He enjoyed the group even though he had not received any business, not even any leads, as a direct result of his involvement.

We had been working together on coming up with more attention getting ways to introduce himself to such groups. Part of the problem he felt was that people hear that he's a financial advisor and the conversation ends.

If that's not what they're looking for, or they think they already have it taken care of, then there's no need to inquire further.

But tonight was different. He decided to change things up and stay away from his normal bland introduction of name, title, and company.

When it came time for his 30-second introduction, he said something to this effect:

"You know, when I introduce myself as a financial advisor, the most common obstacle I face is that people think they already have it taken care of.

But it's interesting. Because when I do get a chance to sit down and talk with someone about comprehensive financial planning, I'd say 90% of them learn something. And they figure out that, in fact, they don't have everything taken care of and they're usually dropping the ball in one or more areas of their planning."

He really believed this statement, but it was the first time he'd ever expressed it like this.

The net result was that four or five people approached him before the event was over to see if they could talk to him and learn more. Two of them wanted to schedule an appointment with him because they said they weren't sure they had everything taken care of.

How important are your first words?

I hope you get the picture of just how powerful your ability to verbally express yourself in these most common business scenarios can be. Nail it and you'll be able to start attracting attention and interest for yourself. Flounder with it and you'll likely only achieve marketing invisibility.

(c) - Kevin Dervin, KPD Marketing

About the Author:

Kevin Dervin is focused on helping small businesses that are ready to grow, but struggle with how to consistently attract more clients. Visit http://www.proven-small-business-mar keting-solutions.com for more great marketing information you can put to use in growing your business today.

Find Kevin's Kansas City based KPD Marketing practice at http://www.ABCDgrowth.com and subscribe to his free ezine called ABCD Grow.

---

Increase the Wealth in Your Community

Many of us have noticed how some nearby communities seem... Read More

Your Small Business Suggestion Box

A suggestion box is a really good idea for your... Read More

Starting a Business in New Hampshire

Hew Hampshire car wash market. Well we have visited every... Read More

Slip And Fall Professionals; Service Businesses

Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More

Grab Your Consumers Attention in a Cluttered World of Marketing Communications

A cluttered world of marketing communications diminishes the ordinary. The... Read More

Challenging the Gospel of Growth -- Must Business Grow to Survive?

A cherished business doctrine is that growth must be a... Read More

Why is My Restaurant Not Full Every Monday Night?

In a quest for customers and to keep those customers,... Read More

How To Cut Expenses And Manage Your Business

If you own a small business, you should know that... Read More

Small Businesses with BIG NAMES: Protect Your Trademarks and Reap the Rewards

You're a small business owner with a hot new product... Read More

Mobile Car Wash and Cleaning Post Office Jeeps

If you own a mobile truck washing, pressure washing or... Read More

The Benefits of Using Freelance Consultants / Trainers for Your Project

What are the benefits of using a Freelance Consultant /... Read More

Fleet Washing Operations Manual Sample Outline

In the Truck Washing Business every single type of vehicle... Read More

Increase Your Profits with a Point of Sale (POS) System

Whether you operate a chain of restaurants, a mom-and-pop convenience... Read More

Asking the RIGHT Questions

Which questions do you need to ask to even get... Read More

Operational Aspects on P and L Statements of Mobile Services Businesses

What kinds of things effect mobile service businesses P and... Read More

Site Selection - Slice of Life, A Car Wash and Detail Center DownTown

There is a continual trend we are seeing which I... Read More

Are You a Small Business Casualty?

When a person knows and knows not that he knows.... Read More

Pet Grooming Business

Do you like animals? Would you like to work for... Read More

Are You Using a Chess or Checkers Small Business Marketing Strategy?

Until the day I learned to play chess I loved... Read More

Who Makes the BEST Alliance

What types of companies do you want to align yourself... Read More

Starting Your Small Business

Where do you find more customers?How do you compete with... Read More

Franchising 101- What You Absolutely Need to Know

Franchising has made the world look really small. The well... Read More

Why Small Businesses Need Both A Logo And An Identity System

Experts urge small business owners to "brand" their business ?... Read More

Knowledge is Power

Why does research and education play an important part of... Read More

Creating Time the Virtual Way

Time. As a small business owner, it's the commodity you... Read More

Online Search: Small Businesses Level The Playing Field

Seventy percent of US households use the web when shopping... Read More

Pressure Washer Concrete Cleaning Equipment

Cleaning concrete is tough and there is an easy way... Read More

How to Integrate Yourself in Someone Elses Business

When do you need to get more involved with the... Read More

Cleaning Service Stations with a Pressure Washer

Fuel prices these days are quite high and they take... Read More

Shortcuts Will Kill Your Business

Think of your business as a living, breathing, organism. It... Read More

More Rules for Franchising?

The FTC- Mighty Federal Trade Commission has unilaterally decided to... Read More

Facts About Starting Elderly Group Home Businesses

There's been a recent rise in the number of elderly... Read More

Politics, Environmental Rules, and Mobile Car Washes

During the California Recall Election, I was very interested. Without... Read More