How to Disarm Strangers & Charm People (Thank you Mr. Carnegie)
Someone asked me a few weeks ago how, exactly, I disarm strangers.
I think they were referring to my writing style.
Some random person whose name I can't remember said a couple years ago on LinkedIn, *******marketing is really ALL about talking to strangers.******
AND...... it just so happens that I like a nice stranger.
Just like some people like a nice reuben sandwich.
Always have.
I suppose I behave in business....the same way I behave in the world.
I just refuse to draw a big fat purple, polka-dotted line between them.
So here's what I've come up with:
IN THE WORLD: I talk about what's really on my mind (that annoying automated lady at self-checkout, coffee-stains, Shrinking, Madonna and teenagers) instead of what people think they're supposed to talk about (meetings, traffic, tech and weather.)
TRANSLATION TO MARKETING: Do the same thing.
IN THE WORLD: I send Snail Mail. It is delightfully surprising and so very vintage.
TRANSLATION TO MARKETING: Do the same thing.
IN THE WORLD: I wear a little flair, I sometimes dance in public and I throw around movie quotes.
TRANSLATION TO MARKETING: Do the same thing (plus use photos from Gratisography).
IN THE WORLD: I ask a lot of questions. My husband has accused me of sounding like a detective.
TRANSLATION TO MARKETING: Do the same thing.
IN THE WORLD: I am highly attuned to the public space and prefer to get involved. Observing a stranger ahead of me in line at 7-11 drop their keys three times, I gently tease or help pick up.
TRANSLATION TO MARKETING: Offer help to someone who is clearly struggling on LinkedIn.
IN THE WORLD: I give compliments anytime, anywhere, on any channel, to any gender. If I feel it, I say it.
TRANSLATION TO MARKETING: Do the same thing.
IN THE WORLD: I avoid all RCS (Ridiculous Conversation Scripts) with more interesting vocabulary. When strangers ask how I am, I say "fantastic!" or "struggling!"
TRANSLATION TO MARKETING: I use fun closings before my signature (Skeletons and Snowstorms; Less Should, More Shine; JujuBees and Jumper Cables, etc.)
IN THE WORLD: I insert "and we breathe" into some conversations to create space, get present and slow people down.
TRANSLATION TO MARKETING: I start most calls with a Landing Meditation.
IN THE WORLD: I offer Starburst to my seat-mates on a plane and give away "You Are Beautiful" stickers in response to a stranger's kindness. (I also sometimes put them on gas station bathroom mirrors, but shhhhh, don't nark on me).
TRANSLATION TO MARKETING: I send You Are Unconditionally Loved postcards to all my clients and some non-clients.
The bottom line is that I guess I flirt with the world a lot. This works well for me and my clients.
What's your interaction style? How does it work for you?
I'm in the business of transformation. Reach out when it's time. You know who you are. https://tidycal.com/andreaenright/