Thursday 12 September 2013

Getting your Authentic message out there...

The Human brain is an incredible piece of equipment...

Most people have one, it comes "free issue" when we are born - they may not use it to its full potential all the time but I am assured that it is there all the same.

Even I have one and, although it is not as advanced as my wife's (so Lynn tells me...), it can still do some pretty amazing things...

One of the key aspects that our Brains enable us to do is learn about the world in which we live; in fact we have such a thirst for knowledge that we are unable to cope with the vacuum that "not knowing" creates. 

When we have this vacuum created in our mind we are compelled to fill it with a "knowing", whether it is true or not is another thing. This can be really dangerous in business where reputations can be either built or demolished on the basis of rumour...

The three main components of knowledge are;
  • Evidence
  • Beliefs
  • Facts 
The challenge we face is the sequence in which the components are processed and the implications it has for our business. We need people to base their opinions on evidence, where possible, evidence that we present to them in the form of Products, Services, Marketing, Social Media and Reputation...

So the knowledge that people have about our business should be;

1. Evidence based -The component sequence here is;

Evidence > Facts > Belief


However, this is not always the case...

Regularly, the "knowledge" that people have is;

2. Assumption based - made up to fill the vacuum, the sequence being;

Belief > Evidence > Fact

These assumptions are created to fill the vacuum that lack of other evidence creates - we are compelled to make them in order to fill the space that otherwise not knowing creates.

In the extreme - these form Conspiracy Theories where selected evidence is found to support a "belief" and subsequently confirm a chosen fact.

By this method we can "prove" that we never went to the Moon, that 9/11 was an inside job and that the Philadelphia experiment resulted in an Airliner being shot down...

Just for fun - Check out Top Conspiracy theories HERE.

So how does this affect us in business...?

Simple - what people don't know, they will make up...

To maintain your brand and reputation you have to consistently communicate. We have to publish and promote the Evidence that we want people to base their Facts and Beliefs upon. 

I recall one of my favourite Clients telling me that he wasn't sure about having a website for his business as the internet was "unproven technology, and wouldn't catch on..."

Well it may be unproven, but is has definately caught on - so how do you we make sure that people base their knowledge on Evidence not Beliefs..?

Answer - we must generate the Evidence and circulate it...

Here is a simple check list to get started...

1. Website - make sure it is full of relevant content, updated regularly and represents your business exactly as you want it. Example

2. Social Media - get busy. Your Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+ accounts must be updated with relevant content on a daily basis.

3. Blogging - get your message and Evidence out to the world. A weekly Blog of between 500 and 1000 words (this one is 733..) and circulated to you network is powerful.

4. Get on Stage - run events and get on stage. Even if you are a Plumber, Driving Instructor or Accountant getting on stage will transform your reputation.

5. Publish - paperbacks, hardbacks and Ebooks. Sell them and give them away to tell your story to a wider audience. Example

6. Video - have a YouTube Channel and let the world see you, your business and your passion come to life. Example

7. Testimonials - get them from every client you work with and circulate them at every opportunity; they say more about you than you ever can.

8. Rockstar - see previous Blog - be so great and unique at what you do that you stand out from the crowd and develop a reputation that carries you forwards. LINK

Please Leave your comment below, better still, come and join us at our next UK Event...

Entrepreneur Masterclass - Birmingham UK

25th October 2013 - click HERE  for information 

Can't make it..? - you can always Buy my Book HERE...

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