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As a digital marketing consultant, keeping up with the latest marketing tools, technology, trends, and tactics is a crucial part of my career. I could honestly say that I spend at least 3 or more hours a day, 5 days a week researching, studying, and testing new marketing methodologies. This doesn’t even factor in the time spent on self-improvement and business development.
Recently I realized that great advice is everywhere. However when we bombard ourselves with too much information non-stop, we retain very little. (unless you have a higher than average IQ)
At this moment, I decided that to retain an idea, I should focus on one “advice” at a time and practice it before moving onto the next piece of advice.
The video I watched that day was “How to Create Interest and Connect with Anyone: Sam Horn at TEDxBethesdaWomen”. She provided clear examples of how to talk to anyone and create a connection. The example that spoke directly to me was the one about an introvert CEO that hates “chit chat and small talk”….. “Plus I can never explain what I do in a way people get it…”.
As a side note I am not an introvert; in fact, I consider myself an introvert and extrovert depending on my mood. Still more times than not, I have trouble explaining what I do.
My latest response to “what do you do?” has been “I help growth focused businesses plan and execute their marketing strategies”. Most business owners understand this to a certain degree but it’s definitely still a broad answer. What about the vast majority of consumers that know nothing about marketing? What do I say to them? It becomes awkward when I say my go to answer because they scratch their heads. Then I would say web design and marketing. They still scratch their head.
In the previous example I mentioned, Sam Horn then asked this CEO what he does that she can see, smell, taste, or touch. The idea was to ask questions that related to their experiences and how they used or benefited from his company’s products. The CEO started talking about computers, credit cards, and financial software. All this technical talk will go above most people’s heads so Sam’s bright idea was to say that he makes products that makes online purchases safe. The devised question was to ask if they have ever shopped on amazon, ebay, or travelocity as it is something they can see. The final answer was “I make the software that makes it safe for you to buy online”. Bingo. Laymen’s terms.
OK now back to my story. Earlier today I was tricked into a 8-mile jog and along the way, my friend and I had a conversation with two other people enjoying nature.
One of them asked, “So what do you do?”. I immediately said my go-to answer but she had no clue. Then I remembered Sam Horn’s advice and asked if she has ever purchased anything online, seen ads on facebook, or seen ads on google when searching for stuff. She said “YES” so then I replied, “I create the ads you see and the websites where you purchase products at your convenience “. Maybe this isn’t the BEST answer but she did understand! I will keep working on my answer to the question “So what do you do?” – for people in the same industry and for everyone else.
How do you answer the question “So what do you do?” that isn’t so standard and makes people think?
Let me know in the comments below.