Avoiding The Camel
- May 24, 2010
- Posted by: Rochelle
- Category: Brand + Design, Marketing + Selling
Your work is giving—or, more precisely, selling—advice. How well are you selling yourself and your firm?
Let’s agree that being compelling to your sweet-spot clients is a must. Why then do so many firms—from 1-person shops to some mega names—insist on watering down what makes them distinct? Why do otherwise savvy partners fail to build a strong personal brand that aligns their talents and passions with their firm?
Three words: lizards, trolls and camels.
The lizard rules. The lizard is the part of us that is satisfied with the ordinary (for more about the lizard brain, read Seth Godin’s “Linchpins”). Reaching for more feels too risky. Unsafe. The website that says: “our service, our people, our technology are second to none” was written by the lizard. When you find yourself holding back, afraid to shoot higher, the lizard is in charge.
The troll appears. You overcome the lizard to firmly stake your territory—you publish an article, write a blog post, or make a bold statement in a speech. That’s when the trolls appear. Trolls are critics who take perverse pleasure in tearing others down. In fact, you haven’t conquered the lizard if you haven’t attracted a few trolls. Your job with trolls is simple. Ignore them. Engaging trolls only fires them up for more criticism. Who needs that? Let them go find someone else to annoy.
You create the camel. You’ve subdued the lizard enough to attempt something compelling, but haven’t quite been able to ignore the trolls. The result? Camel territory. Yes, the camel that was a horse drawn by committee. Camels are great if you’re crossing the desert, but most of us aren’t. While getting other inputs (especially in a partnership) is necessary and valuable, don’t let it dilute what makes you unique. Keep your focus on resonating with your sweet spot clients.
The secret to compelling marketing? Subdue the lizard. Ignore the troll. Avoid the camel.
8 Comments
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Nobody, but nobody, but you can paint a picture with words the way you do!
Thanks Carleen! But I'm not the only one–the mature workforce sure comes alive when you talk about it…
4. Fly with the eagle. Once you get past the negative beasties, it's time to go for the positive, and soar as high as you can with your marketing.
Here, here Mike. Let's always pull to the sky! Thanks for your additions….
I like the comparison. I get stuck between possible identities to satisfy varying client needs, and in the end I think I'm not doing the things I'm best at. I'm burdened with lizards, trolls, and camels as a result! Thanks for the insight, Rochelle!
You summarized, quite succinctly, the "hump" I regularly find myself trying to overcome — avoid the camel. Thanks so much!!
As you point out Rochelle, it's all about attitude. If you believe in yourself and are true to who you are you can do anything. Many people are afraid to fail so they become someone else and get lost in an alter ego; not a good approach if you want to sell yourself as a trusted advisor. Whatever you choose to do or become you need patience, confidence and a positive attitude.
Ravi, Anne and Gerald,
Thanks much for your candid thoughts. We all get challenged daily with serving our clients while staying authentic. How will the client react if I say/do "x"? Anne's reference to the "hump" is a great visual!