People Don’t Give a Damn About Who You Are

February 15, 2011

I was having lunch with some of my networking group friends and we were talking about marketing to prospects and different ways of doing so – direct mail, email introductions/referrals, etc. when Tom Van Cleave of Data Dash Inc. blurted out “People don’t give a damn about who you are!“

Laughter ensued all around; however, if you really think about it, people really don’t care who you are. They care about what you can do for them first and foremost.

If you can solve their problems or immediate need, then they will take the time to look further into you, your company or your brand. But until then, you might as well give it up talking about you first or who you are.

So honor what your customers/clients care about – THEIR PROBLEMS. That’s how you grow business fast!

Your turn!

What do you think about Tom’s bold statement? Please share and comment below. I’d love to hear your feedback.

Flikr Image by AndYaDontStop

About Kesha Brown

Kesha is the Creative Director and Principal Web Designer at her company XD Web Solutions who specializes in helping small businesses and organizations maximize their online presence. Go ahead and follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

16 Comments to “People Don’t Give a Damn About Who You Are”

February 27, 2012 at 7:31 am
Kate Brown Wilson says:

I totally agree with this , to be honest once you are in any kind of business people really don’t care about who you are. instead they would think about the ideas and plan you have shared.people only care about the ideas , plan and uniqueness you have.
Kate Brown Wilson recently posted..Baby Eagle

[Reply]
October 8, 2011 at 1:37 am
Suzie Cheel
Twitter: suziecheel
says:

That is so true, we spend time often in fruitless wondering “What will they think of me?”and as Tom says their focus is on WIIFM
Thanks for the reminder
Suzie Cheel recently posted..Self-Love Prescription #1

[Reply]
Kesha
Twitter: xdwebsolutions
Reply:
October 9th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
@Suzie, not a problem deary. I think most of us need a reminder every now and then

Thanks for your feedback!

[Reply]
June 15, 2011 at 7:28 pm
Lynn Brown
Twitter: learnit2earnit
says:

We had a saying in the Real Estate lending industry, you are only as good as your last transaction. And if you were ‘good’ then your client woul refer others and would return to refi or work with you on other lending opportunities.

So it is about WHAT you can do for THEM. But then in turn, if you do enough to show you are good and what you do and knowledgeable, then clients will remember YOU for what you provided last time.

So I agree to the extent of the initial interaction with a client or customer…. you must provide value and solutions or you might as well wear a bag over your head – cuz they sure won’t remember who YOU are, just that they didn’t get their answers or solutions.

Good topic for sure!

[Reply]
June 14, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Melanie Kissell @SoloMompreneur
Twitter: melaniekissell
says:

I’m reading this for the second time, Kesha, and thanks so much for posting the link over at WBB. Hope some folks take note of it over there and stop by to offer their two cents worth!

I haven’t changed my mind or my tune since I read your post, initially. When people have problems and they’re looking for a resolve, they don’t give a hoot about you! YOU don’t matter — your solutions DO.

Sometimes I think entrepreneurs and small biz owners get too emotionally attached to their products or services and see them as a direct reflection of themselves. It’s best to step back away from that kind of thinking. Otherwise, it’s too easy to get your feelings hurt. If someone isn’t interested in purchasing from you or hiring you, it’s rarely because they don’t like YOU. It’s because what you have to offer doesn’t suit their needs … period.

Two thumbs up on this one!
Melanie

[Reply]
May 17, 2011 at 8:05 am
Jane says:

Hi Kesha-
I agree that most people don’t care about you at first. But once you solve their problem and have done a good job doing so, they begin to think this (person, company, group) is worth something. That’s the goal!
Enjoy your day!!

[Reply]
May 13, 2011 at 3:16 am
James Foster says:

Blant but true. What people expect from you is solutions, to their problems. If you have got to get yourself growing, you will have to honor your customers, that is the only way it is done.
James Foster recently posted..Budget Decorating For Your Kitchen

[Reply]
May 11, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Timothy says:

Hi Kesha, people are probably too busy to care. But the ones that really matter actually care, the best clients know what they want and study the market before buying. Having a valid identity will definitely help in those cases.
So Tom is kind of wrong about it, this is what i call doing things half-assed.
Timothy recently posted..Using Rubber Mats in Your Garage – Pros And Cons

[Reply]
April 30, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Maria Pavel says:

It used to matter who you were, but that was when people still believed in fairies.
Once they got used to all the lying and fake people on the internet, they got over it and adapted. They realized there’s no way to know for sure who that person is, unless you meet with him face to face.
But i think this change of focus is a good thing, quality of service should be the most important thing, not the one that sells it.
Maria Pavel recently posted..Can I Get My CNA License Online

[Reply]
Kesha
Twitter: xdwebsolutions
Reply:
May 1st, 2011 at 11:43 pm
@Maria, love your always-so-helpful-useful-feedback here on the blog!

LOL @ “…when people believed in fairies!”

[Reply]
February 17, 2011 at 3:59 am
rowena bolo
Twitter: rowenabolo
says:

Hi Kesha,

Very true, Kesha. We have to start where our customers are – getting into prospects’ thinking by understanding what their life is like, what frustrates them and most especially what their problems and needs are.

We definitely have to look at our opportunity or services offered from the way our customers would look at them, rather than from OUR point of view. Great points, Kesha!

Thanks for sharing this,

Rowena
rowena bolo recently posted..A Roster for Online Marketing Success

[Reply]
Kesha
Twitter: xdwebsolutions
Reply:
February 18th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Hey Rowena, thanks for sharing your thoughts! I try to pay attention to what I do and how I feel when looking and connecting with other service providers to give me an idea of either what to do or what not to do…and personally connecting with prospective clients and understanding their needs first is what seems to be missing from most service providers’ agendas.

I will be a change agent for that and I’m sure you’ll join me

[Reply]
February 16, 2011 at 6:26 am
Jym @ MLM Blog
Twitter: JymTarrant
says:

Great stuff Kesha.

I’m with this 100%. Most of the time, people don’t see you. They see themselves and how you reflect upon and fit into their own life.

Using this knowledge to reach people in a way that they can see will help them is the basis of good marketing.

Like you said, in business, nobody cares about you, only what you can do for them…

Thanks for sharing this powerful truth!

Jym
Jym @ MLM Blog recently posted..Best Blog Software – Is WordPressorg Still the Sharpest Tool in the Box

[Reply]
Kesha
Twitter: xdwebsolutions
Reply:
February 16th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Hey Jym, you said it: it’s the basis of good marketing. I’m leaving a conference right now where this same idea was being reiterated!

If we get this right, we’ll have better relationships with prospective and current clients alike!

[Reply]
February 15, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Melanie Kissell
Twitter: melaniekissell
says:

Tom is definitely talkin’ turkey!

It always comes around full circle, Kesha, to the ever lovin’ “What’s In It For Me?”

No one gives a hoot about how wonderful YOU think your business is! And if you dare start touting how glorious your products or services are …

… people will start running in the opposite direction as fast as they can.
Melanie Kissell recently posted..20 Best Blogging Tips – Compliments of Members of the Tweet Like Comment Club

[Reply]
Kesha
Twitter: xdwebsolutions
Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Exactly Mel! We all listen to the WII FM channel As a matter of fact, a couple of months ago I changed my About page to start with who my potential clients are and NOT who I am. I recommend all About pages start this way

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