If Your Business Were a Person, Who Would Want to Know You?

In business you come across all sorts of people. Some are attention seekers who make loads of noise and always seem to be selling something – these we tend to avoid. Some are pleasant enough but don’t have much to say that is original, interesting or relevant – these we tend to tolerate for a while, move on, and then forget.

A very small number make us really think. They help us to see things in a different way and are interesting and fun to be around. They have ideas, insights and experiences that we can use. They help us understand why our business might be a bit stuck and what we can do about it. They reveal glimpses from their own experience of how our business might grow faster, be more profitable or be easier to manage. They are more interested in learning about you than telling you about them.

These are the people we remember and actively seek out.

The Unbounded Business Network

The internet has helped create a virtual business network that knows almost no bounds. You can reach out to and connect with people at an unprecedented scale and cost-effectively. This raises the big question: in this network, which of the above personality types would you want your business to be seen as?

It would seem ridiculous if you said you wanted your business to be the attention seeking foghorn or dull, unoriginal and largely ignored. Yet, unintentionally, this is where many end up in the online world.

So how do you become the type of business that prospects remember for the right reasons? Here are a few pointers:

• Know the questions your prospects are asking, and for which you have relevant and convincing answers. This means research.
• Be interesting and know how to tell a good story. One of the most common shortcomings of online marketing is that it’s based on dull, badly written and uninspiring content.
• Be aware of how search engines work but don’t become obsessed with SEO.
• Stick to what’s actionable and where you can add value through your products, services and the way you operate.
• Develop consistent themes and messages that resonate with your prospects and the challenges they face.

If you want to convert more strangers to prospects (which you probably do), start by becoming the type of business they would actually want to engage with. This means consistently delivering value through your interactions, helping your prospects shape their thinking and see potential solutions (yours) more clearly.

You may need to invest in paid search or advertising to increase your profile but always have a plan for what follows and how you will maintain and nurture the leads created.

For more advice on how you can become a business that your prospects remember, contact us today on 01823 429339 or email info@accessperformance.co.uk.