“Do not covet your ideas. Give away everything you know and more will come back to you.” Paul Arden
The other day I heard a friend talking about a workshop she recently attended. Something about how to get clients online, a topic that has always been fascinating to me since I literally hate chasing business.
The main point was that there is a fine line between what you put out there for free and what you keep as a premium, in other words, create a need by leaving your prospect wanting more. Nothing new really… basic marketing.
It took me back to the last time I faced that question. I remember not being totally clear about why but made the decision not to think about it anymore and just follow my heart. Today, I can explain why I think you should give it all away… and these are the main reasons:
Nobody Owns Anything Anymore
Ask the music industry if you don’t believe me… while top executives were questioning themselves on how to reinvent music distribution in a profitable way, we decided for them. Music will never be handled the same way. Don’t think too much about it because you no longer own the information you are holding back. You must understand that other people are providing that same information this very moment, and for FREE that is.
Just like bands are becoming more performing than recording artists and records are becoming more of a sample for their live show, you are no longer compensated for knowing what the rest of us don’t.
Generosity Kicks Ass These Days
Have you ever asked a question to somebody you considered an expert in the matter and got a vague, superficial and just lame response? I can guarantee you that people also notices when you go out of your way to provide real value, I mean share your knowledge, provide some resources or even mention your competition if you think it is a better solution in that particular case. Just be generous, be human and walk away from that conversation with the feeling you made a difference.
That is creating positive impact, the long-lasting kind.
Valuable Content Replaces Your Sales Pitch
Spread all your knowledge and experience out there, if you are true to yourself and your audience, soon you will be dropping your elevator pitch and your tie to let your valuable content represent you. There is no better way for a prospect to really see who you are and what you do. Does it take time? Of course it does, I’m talking about pushing a sale versus letting the perfect prospect come to you.
People Will Hire You More Than Ever
Just because the internet holds thousands of nutritional resources and there are hundreds of books, magazines or entire television networks around it doesn’t mean nutritionists are not been hired anymore. Of course they get hired everyday. Only one thing changed, today the consumer is more educated than ever, but if you are the one providing all that information… you have secured a position in the marketplace.
Final Thought
There is something magical in all this and it’s that you should NOT do anything expecting something in return, what I’m suggesting here is being transparent, being human about what you do.
Photo Credits: sueanna, rubenshito
