-- Building Credibility Through Success Stories --
Successful solo entrepreneurs spend quite a bit of time building and expanding their networks. These networks can cover a broad spectrum ? professional associations, community service, school or alumni networks, virtual communities, athletic groups, neighborhood associations. There are a variety of choices when creating our support system.
What they all have in common is this: we engage in the same activity ? relationship building. We may meet face to face, over the telephone or online. We exchange pleasantries, information, referrals or resources and in doing so, strengthen the bonds with individuals and the whole organization. What is not quite as common in our exchanges is the use of a personal or business success story. A success story has a double message: it highlights a specific activity that we accomplished or service that we do AND it communicates a distinguishing level of achievement. Both messages serve to build credibility with the listener, which in turn builds trust.
Success stories need not be complicated or lengthy. Here are a few considerations when preparing your own.
Be Proud About It ? A good success story translates as truly genuine when you feel proud to share it. "I am so thrilled that I was able to save my client $5,000." ?a Financial Services Representative
Be Prepared ? Think through your list of recent business achievements, honors, awards or professional certifications that represents something you are proud of and demonstrates an achievement. Then select one or two to share with your contacts at an appropriate time.
Be Specific ? Describe exactly what product or service that you delivered or the type of honor or certification that you received. "I recently completed the requirements for the Master Certified Coach designation." ? a Business and Personal Coach
Make It Current ? Be careful to use situations or events that occurred within the past six months. This keeps it in the category of "news" that your listener may be interested to know.
Keep It Brief ? A few good sentences about the award or business achievement is all it takes. No need to dominate an exchange.
The next time that you interact with a client, colleague, friend or family member, try blowing your own horn. Humorist Will Rogers said, "It ain't bragging if you done it."
Copyright 2003, Charlotte Farrior
____________________________________________
Charlotte Farrior of Coaching Connection (http://www.corporatecoaching101.com) and Founder/Team Member of Solo-E (http://www.Solo-E.com) is a corporate and professional coach. She works with professionals, entrepreneurs, directors, and executives to define and achieve the personal and business goals they set for themselves. She coaches in the areas of goal setting, skill development, priority management and career transitions.
____________________________________________
*********** Find more articles like this at http://www.Solo-E.com ? Keeping Solo Entrepreneurs Juiced in Business and in Life. Our team of Solo Entrepreneurs are comprised of small business experts who support others in finding business success with the flexibility and freedom to have a life, too. Network with other freelancers, self-employed and Solo Entrepreneurs in our forums, enjoy our articles and newsletter, and find other online training opportunities. ***********
It behooves every professional mobile auto detailer to stay up... Read More
BioTechs even with the latest news had shed over 1000... Read More
Boston itself covers 50 square miles of concrete and traffic,... Read More
I agree that knowledge should be free, but the next... Read More
It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More
Many pressure washing companies will be glad to take on... Read More
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PRICINGIn case you hadn't noticed, people can... Read More
How many "get rich schemes" have you joined? Or have... Read More
After over 30 years of participating in hundreds of businesses,... Read More
The less a business pays for goods and services the... Read More
You see it often in large shopping complexes. Customers seem... Read More
Most business owners know when they need an accountant, but... Read More
One of the biggest excuses franchisees of home based and... Read More
Entrepreneurs are hardy stock. But sometimes hardiness can get you... Read More
Every business plan book tells you how the Executive Summary... Read More
Every employee would like to earn as high a salary... Read More
When it comes to cost, how much can you afford... Read More
As a teenager I worked for my father's small business.... Read More
Many investors and business ethics professionals are calling for more... Read More
If you plan to upgrade your workshop into an Authorized... Read More
Do you promote yourself as offering prompt, reliable and quality... Read More
Opening a carpet cleaning business is a great way to... Read More
When starting a business, you have to determine the method... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --People do business with... Read More
Completion not Perfection Five Keys To Doubling Your Productivity and... Read More
So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which... Read More
In many industries, image is one of the last things... Read More
So you think you're not justified in taking time away... Read More
If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter,... Read More
You've heard it before; we're living in an information age.... Read More
Many small business startups fail within the first 2 years... Read More
Being a small or home-based business owner can be loads... Read More
We all know how glorious those first warm days of... Read More
How much is your time really worth? Is it worth... Read More
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, since... Read More
Remember those drawings from science class of how a lever... Read More
When you hear the word "success" does it bring on... Read More
Shopping for a franchise is easy if you know what... Read More
You've probably heard the statistic that 95% of small businesses... Read More
Writing a business plan for your Solo Entrepreneur business doesn't... Read More
As long as you eat and breathe you will stay... Read More
I frequently give presentations at small business gatherings, providing me... Read More
Continuing from the second article:6. About the aground mathematical model,... Read More
Are you responsible for your results?What comes to mind when... Read More
Success is the desire of everyman on the face of... Read More
Large corporations use employee manuals to both educate employees about... Read More
One of the major complaints in the QSR Quick Service-Fast... Read More
Too often in business we get trapped into reviewing our... Read More
Aside from the fear of losing a spreadsheet or research... Read More
Owning a small business in Wichita, KS might not be... Read More
It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More
Just as you are about to say "good-bye" to your... Read More
Anyone who is serious about washing aircraft as a full... Read More
Q: I have outgrown my home office and need to... Read More
Mobile carwashing is hard work, it is tough on the... Read More
A Private Investigator is a professional trained in the art... Read More
When do annoyances in a relationship become too much to... Read More
Has this ever happened to you... 'John, you have a... Read More
Are you a home or small business owner and you're... Read More
There are countless ways to save your business money. Unfortunately,... Read More
Auto detailers are often asked to clean boats and detail... Read More
For the employees, payday is the brightest day; they finally... Read More
In today's fast paced marketplace it is easy to neglect... Read More
If you ask most small business owners what priority CRM... Read More
Every business regardless of size needs a "Business Image Manual"... Read More
Ok, you have successfully accomplished your dream of being the... Read More
Small Business |