Did that get your attention? I guess so since you’re reading this. But does shock value like that add to my credibility? I’m guessing not.
I went to a breakfast meeting this morning where the presenter was talking about a creative introduction starting with a “hook” that has impact. Something that either causes people to say “Huh?” or “Tell me more!”
He made some great points. Great content that I (and others) will implement for sure.
That being said he was giving praise and sharing “shining examples” from people who were just being shocking for the sake of shocking.
One example he praised was a women who introduces herself as someone who “Traffics human flesh” In realty she is an adoption lawyer. Are you saying “Ick!” like I did? Another woman proclaimed to be a “marketing whore”.
With the phrase “traffic human flesh” ringing in my ears, I was left not with a feeling of trust, but with thoughts of little girls being traffic into the sex trade. Probably not the mental picture you want to leave people with at a breakfast meeting.
These so called “shining examples” were over the top enough, and off track enough that it would have the opposite affect and repeal the very people you’d want to attract.
I bring this up because its important to remember. Get attention. Get lots of attention! Think of attention grabbing statements! Think of creative ways to describe what you do, and have fun doing it like the sharp gentlemen sat next to me (who offers part time CIO services,) who said “Have you ever been held hostage by your I.T. guy?” Everyone laughed, and related to it, and someone immediately handed him their card and said “YES! Call me!”.
It was creative, out-of-the-box, and on point.
So what’s the take away?
Go ahead and brainstorm a “hook” for your introduction. Just don’t be shocking just to shock. Don’t be vulgar, because its an easy way to get attention. You might feel tempted, but go ahead and ask more of yourself and your marketing.
I know you got the creative chops in you to do it, or you’ll get the help you need to do it!
What’s an out-of-box way to describe what you do? Brainstorm some fun ideas in your comments below!
(what about me? How about….”I teach Jedi Mind Tricks for Business” or “I have the jet fuel that will power up your next presentation!”)