Be Heard!

You have the best products and services in the world!  You are the most spectacular employee on the planet!  You have done everything there is to do to take on your next promotion.  Your business is poised to take off big time.  Everything is in place to soar.  How do you make it happen?  People have to know that you exist – your products and services are just what they need and are looking for – you possess all the skills necessary to be a success.  Simply put, you have to be heard by your audience.  Here are some tips that will help you get the word out.

Tip 1:  Identify.  Who is your most important audience?  Who buys your products?  Who has the decision making authority to promote you in your company?  Where are these people?  Go to where they are and talk to them.  Don’t make them seek you out – because they won’t.  Be the shiny penny that they just have to pick up.

Tip 2:  Solve and improve.  So much has been written about marketing messaging.  The overriding advice is to identify a problem people are facing and offer a solution – that will make the sale.  While this is great advice, take it a step further.  Ensure your message tells others how you or your services will improve their lives and make things easier for them.  Solving people’s problems concentrates on the negative, improving people’s lives plays on the positive.

Tip 3:  Be bold.  Now is the time to shine and let everyone know what you or your company is all about.  Make a list of what sets you apart.  What is unique about you or your products?  Tell everyone you know about the victories you’ve accomplished.  Make sure your supervisor and your supervisor’s supervisor knows you’re ready for your next assignment.  Get in front of those who will buy your products and tell them about it – through social media, print ads, presentations and networking groups.

Tip 4:  Results.  Document your success and the experiences of your customers.  Gather testimonials that show how people’s lives were improved by your products and services.  Powerful messages are specific in nature.  For example, “XYZ company is great to work with.” vs. “XYZ company provided (specific) solutions for us, came in under budget, added extra services at no charge and completed the work ahead of schedule.”

Tip 5:  Ask.  Ask for referrals from happy customers.  Ask for advice on how to get your next promotion.  Ask others how they created their success.  Ask your customers what they need to improve their lives.  Be unbelievably curious – pose the questions and listen very carefully to what others say.  Don’t assume you know what others need, want or desire.  Ensure your messages to your market use the words and phrases that you hear.  Using your market’s own words can translate your message into the market’s language.

Tip 6:  Reach.  Think about what makes you most uncomfortable about marketing yourself or your products.  That, most likely, will bring you your next promotion or new business.  Embrace your discomfort and do it anyway.  If you don’t promote your company, believe in yourself or your products, who will?  Pretend you have the confidence and act on it.  You will be surprised by what can happen next.

Do you have any tips about being heard?  What has worked for you or your company?  Any surprises that you’ve found?  Leave your comments below so we can learn from you.

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