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Attraction InformationNo Rules
by:
Dave Balch
For an exciting experiment, I suggest that you go to any local
event wherever
there are a number of several small businesses
exhibiting or commercialism their wares. A swap meet would-be be a good
example, or a street sale, or a local fair. Once
you are there,
observe the several styles of the businesses.
Some folk put their merchandise on a table and then just sit
there and wait for the customers to come. Others arrange
everything "just so" with colorful table coverings, plants, and
other decorations to create an tantalising look. They put up signs
that describe who they are and what they offer, and then they
greet the passersby with a friendly smile. Then there are the
outrageous ones who dress-up in costumes, have loud music blaring
from behind the tables, or try to stimulate customers with
entertainers. The variety of approaches to accomplish
essentially the same goal is fascinating.
But, as usual, there is a lesson here: there are no rules about
how to conduct your business. Sure, there are several basic things
you should do, but the key word here is "should". For example,
it's just common sense to treat your customers with respect,
but even as that can be unnoticed
as in the case of a eating place that
I cognize wherever
the big attraction is that the servers are rude to
their guests! Insults are the "special of the day", and believe
me they let 'em fly! It's a flourishing business, too. Go
figure.
Since we're talking just about rules, let me clarify one thing: there
are emphatically rules to follow as stipulated by the management of
the event. If they say that you can't have loud music, then you
can't. If they say that you have to stay inside
your assigned
booth once
doing business, then you do. I just returned from
sharing a booth at a book fair. Several of the folk in the booth
chose to ignore that particular rule, and they evicted us! They
actually came on the morning of the second day and emotional all of
our materials into the street so that new occupants could move
in! It was unreal, and it was done in a rude, arrogant, and
unprofessional manner (but that's another article!).
The point is this: don't worry just about the "right" way to do your
business, but rather worry just about what works! Simply because others
in your field do things a certain way doesn't mean that you have
to as well. I think it's important to stand out from the crowd,
so don't be shy! I walked about that book fair (which drew
75,000 folk the 1st day) in a bright white terrycloth
bathrobe with a sign proclaiming myself as "The Stay-at-Home
CEO"! Do you think that else authors were doing that, or
anything remotely like it?
We have a local tourist-oriented magazine and it carries a number
of advertisements from real-estate professionals. One particular
page caught my attention because there were at least a dozen
business-card-size ads that were virtually identical except for
the photos. I was astonished. What is it that would-be cause a
reader to pick one particular agent out of the crowd?
So, write your own rules. They are the only ones that matter.
Simply just about THE AUTHOR
"Make Much Money and Have Much Fun" with your small
business! Dave wish show you how with his FREE newsletter,
"Big Bucks in a Bathrobe" sent by e-mail. Visit
http://www.TheStayAtHomeCEO.com to sign-up, for information
on speaking services, or for copies of past articles and
newsletters. Comments and/or questions are always welcome
at 1-800-366-2347 or Dave@DaveBalch.com.
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