The Importance Of Giving A Sh*t
Let me start off with a quick story about Chris Brogan. And, no, this is not an ass kisser post, although it might seem that way. 🙂
Chris and I have met at several different events. The first time, though, that we really hung out was at an Izeafest event in Orlando, FL. We ended up going to dinner with several other people, but a small enough group where we all had a chance to talk for awhile. My friend from Vegas, Warren Whitlock, was there, too. It was a great meal.
Let me start off with a quick story about Chris Brogan. And, no, this is not an ass kisser post, although it might seem that way. 🙂
Chris and I have met at several different events. The first time, though, that we really hung out was at an Izeafest event in Orlando, FL. We ended up going to dinner with several other people, but a small enough group where we all had a chance to talk for awhile. My friend from Vegas, Warren Whitlock, was there, too. It was a great meal.
It was at this event, though, that Chris met me. And, an inside joke formed. I don’t even quite remember how it started, but now I’ve got a nickname of “handsome Dave” from this thing.
Yeah, I’m just THAT sexy.
Anyway, let me get to the point of this…
In the times I’ve interacted with Chris since, I’ve always been impressed that he remembered my name quite well. More recently, Chris and I hung out at a bar in LA for Blogworld and it was more like catching up. He even complemented how I do things here on DavidRisley.com. 🙂
I’m not the only person who has had this experience. Chris Brogan has always impressed me with how well he remembers names. He’s freakin’ uncanny at it. He’s very personable. He’s likable. He has a sense of humor. And I think it is no coincidence that he is as well known as he is.
I told you this story to make a point…
People want to feel important. They want to feel acknowledged. They want to feel like you care about them.
When you do that, they will remember you. They’ll go to bat for you.
How can you apply this to your online business? Your blogging?
Well, here’s a few ideas:
- Make a point to reply to blog comments whenever you can. Try to acknowledge people in your comments.
- Make a point to reply to your emails from your readers. Don’t become a snob who outsources your email to a VA and has no way for people to contact you without a middle man. This is a people business we’re in here.
- Interact with people on social media. Reply to tweets. Reply to wall posts.
- Be super-cool. Be real. Don’t write like a professor. Write like a real human being and treat your readers like friends.
- If you’re selling something, consider personally emailing people to THANK THEM after they’ve bought from you. This means so much more to people than an automated thank you email from your shopping cart. If you want to go the extra mile, you can even send them a letter in the mail.
- When you can, address people by name. Sometimes it is hard. Online, it is easier because you often have their name in front of you. Offline, harder. I personally SUCK at remembering people’s names unless I really get to know them better.
- Include your personality with your content.
I’ll throw out another name for you. A friend of mine. His name is Pat Flynn. Perhaps you’ve heard of him. 🙂
Pat is another guy who I think does a great job of keeping it personable. In fact, he’s done a great job of scaling it up as his SPI blog has grown. People are fond of Pat because he just keeps it real. And keeps it personable. And he’s super cool.
Being personable is important.
It starts with GIVING A SHIT. This is a people business.
And don’t you forget it.
Well apart from all the man crushes flying everywhere, I really believe that what you’re saying about being as real as possible and being super-cool to readers can take you some places.
Love that because that’s how I really am in “real life” anyway.
Where I think I am going to fail miserably is attaching names to faces since I’ve never attended a live event before (when I say “live” I actually mean being physically there).
Anyway, great tips man and really cool to see Chris and Pat here too.
…..is not remembering your name a big issue? I admit i’m like that for quite some time talk about having a poor memory.lol
awesome
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I forget names too Dave but I am making a conscious effort to remember people’s names as soon as I meet them so I don’t forget. Most of my online sales come from relationships that I have built with others. Keepin it real is where it is at!
Thanks for the mention David, I’m proud to be known as a guy who gives a sh*t, hehe.
Thing is, why would anyone want to associate themselves with someone who doesn’t? Why would people buy from somebody or take a recommendation from someone who doesn’t.
Exactly.
And then it takes me a few days to answer point 1. Damn it. : )
You’re memorable. What can I say? In a sea of sameness, I really like what you do. I call it how I see it, Handsome Dave.
Thanks, man. You’re pretty hot, too. Just sayin’. 🙂
Great post. and I agree with the shout out to Pat Flynn. He has never failed to answer every email, tweet and wall post I have sent to him. And I know i am one of many!
Its a wonder how he pulls that off sometimes. 🙂 Takes some doing, but yeah, it is important.
Thanks for the reminder and the timely tips. I try to respond to all my commenters and Twitter followers. Sometimes though I know it begins to feel and probably sound robotic. Sometimes we think we can’t be ourselves or that we might offend someone. Just need to write just like we are in public or with our friends. Afterall, our readers are our extended online friends. BTW – I suck at remembering names too. LOL
Yeah, it would only sound robotic if you only said the same thing every time. In my case, if somebody’s comment literally just leaves me with a blank stare, I probably won’t bother replying anyway. Just because I’d rather have something to say than try to fake it.
I am terrible with names as well, better with faces. Maybe has something to do with my history as a cop and in retail security back in the day. I have to continually use tools like Rapportive and Evernote to remember people and things. I’m somewhat of an introvert and have been making strides to get out there on social media and just to say hi to people. As you say “A People Business”…still have a lot to learn.
I’m the same way. I remember faces. Names? I suck at it. 🙂
I suck at names… probably one of my worst traits, but I really do. And I usually end up just giving a head nod and saying something like “Hey, how have you been?”
Writing like a professor is the BIGGEST turn off! I love to get into it with people like that, they use all these big words and I laugh all the way to the bank while they are still starving… I know that sounds harsh, but get over yourself because you ar eNOT that important, and those big words don’t do anything but alienate people that you possibly could be helping…..
As usual, on the money Dave!
Thanks, man. 🙂