A blog can still be a conversation even if you’re the only one talking. You are speaking to a reader as if they are responding. But you must see them as responsive. That’s where context is important in your content. Ever notice a person looking away when you’re talking? You lost them. But you keep on talking. You hope they’ll come back because you’re deep into a conversation about yourself. I mean, we’re interesting people, right? Then you hear, “I need to talk to my friend Tammy over there. Nice talking with you.” There was no talking with anyone. She was checking out an escape route. You were busy listening to your amusing adventures. Maybe you could’ve come with something more interesting about yourself. Perhaps you should’ve combed your hair?
We focus when starting a conversation on ourselves or what we want. It’s not different than a Blog. You want an outcome. Expectation is your worse enemy. The next is your defenses. When you control the conversation about yourself, it is safe. But there are no results in building a personal wall. You create an image that you feel is more interesting than who you really are. Your facade usually shows. Because people can tell you’re not genuine. The recipe for a blog (or conversation) that keeps the audience glued starts with who you’re talking to and how they respond to a particular type of voice.
My mother set my brother and me up with a friend’s daughters. Just the thought had me wincing. We went to a restaurant. They almost looked like twins. Both had long curly brown hair and dark brown eyes. I sat across from the oldest, who didn’t have any expression. The younger wanted conversation. My brother was perfect for this. He was a sly extrovert. A voice like molasses. I’ve always been a shy guy. But I tried the wrong way. I played myself as an expert in knowing people. Get ready for this. “I’m studying Political Science and History at the University.” “I don’t go to school. I work.” “I’m more into cowboy stuff. Wearing boots and listening to country music.” She jumped on it, “I thought cowboys were more into Rock.” Her voice was snide. It was a challenge. It didn’t stop there. Her sister knew she didn’t want to be there. That’s why she kept talking as much as she could to my brother. I guess she didn’t get out much. But the sister wasn’t leaving. She wanted more out of me. I shut down.
When a person challenges you, they know you’re not genuine. Yes, it’s rude, but so is not being yourself. And so is not including them in the conversation. Don’t take it personally when you’re called out. Know you made a mistake and put the conversation back where it should have started, in their court. The only way you’ll build rapport in a conversation or with a reader is to know them. Had I challenged her back, there would’ve been a conversation. But I was always taught that was impolite. Get over being polite. Thrust yourself back into the conversation.
Everyone, not just blog writers, wants to come off as an expert. They’re a Rock Star. Got news for you. Groupies and fans aren’t attracted so much to the Rock Star as they are to the lifestyle. Ordinary people find something in a Movie or TV star they admire.
Who do you see as relatable and admirable? The bottom line is this. You’re not a big shot if you want a specific audience. You’re one of them.
That includes any product you are selling. Ever heard the phrase, “That’s too good to be true.” That’s because whatever you’re pushing is too perfect. Get off your high horse and be one of us. Humility was seen in history as inferiority. After the teachings of Christ, it is seen as a virtue.
You want people to see you in them. The best three ways to do that is:
Pick out something in your life that is awkward and fits the subject matter. Let it out. You’ll be surprised at the reaction flowing back to you. Experience what they’re feeling and share your experience with it. Go over each moment that matters to them and that you understand. Know what you want to do for them to make it better. There is no point in the conversation if you don’t want to help them. How are you going to give them a Call to Action?
More than keywords – it’s what the blog is about. Tell everyone from the beginning: Your title, your sub-title, your lead sentence. Just don’t stuff the blog with them. You only need them at the start and lightly sprinkled through the body. State the obvious in what you are trying to get across. Do not hold your audience in suspense over the main subject. Don’t be witty about your title. Don’t be mysterious or trick your reader. Honest, they won’t like it. Just like a bad movie, they bounce out. The target market is your friend. Treat them with respect as you would your childhood sweetheart. Don’t play games. Be straight with them and help them.
How do you find out what they’re thinking?
I know your first question. “How do I get to know all these people?”
You can use Facebook insights to discover the above ways to connect.
Use the same language. If you share the same experience, you should know the vernacular. Jargon is used only with those who understand it. Do not use words, especially an expanded vocabulary, on those who don’t understand it.
Before speaking to your dialed-in audience, think this to yourself. How would I react to what I’m going to say? You want to imagine their response but not an outcome. You want to keep their feelings and what they would say in your mind. Playing it like a video in your mind could develop more and better ways of reaching your audience.
You want to express senses. This will give your audience an experience of your blog. They won’t just be reading information. You’ll have them living it in their mind. Here are three key senses to activate in your writing:
You can also use taste and smell, but those will only capture a small moment. The three above makes you feel like you’re on a journey.
The emotional roller coaster provides tension and relief. This is used in books, movies, television, and seduction. It’s why mysteries, romance novels, and horror movies are so popular. Their expectation, not yours, is the focus. You start with excruciating pain (scream) and give them a huge relief (aaah). As you go along in your blog, you still hit points that hurt but at a lesser level. Same with the relief right after. You don’t want to continue agony or massive drops of relief. It won’t be believable. You want them living the problem they have and the solution you offer in their mind. You can now move to the close or another motivator.
Time Distortion can be used as a rapport maker and a motivator. Dating gurus refer to this as mini dating. You take a date to more than one venue in a single night:
You’re seen in different settings and circumstances. It’s like your date has known you all your life. Well, at least some of it.
But time distortion is about know, like, and trust. You can get a person motivated by taking them back and forth through stories. Outline similar experiences in a few of the same stories.
Before long, they trust you enough to take the next step.
But if you want to motivate them even more, you move to – Inspiration: A big win story that makes it seem possible for them to accomplish. You must overcome the odds. We’re back to the emotional roller coaster. But this time, they’re experiencing yours.
Your accomplishment could be theirs. Make it believable. Don’t be afraid to show your imperfection. You’ll hook them.
Objections don’t kill the deal. They make the deal. You’re going to hear valid reasons the reader doesn’t agree or feel they can’t do what you’re offering. The rest are veiled excuses they use to avoid commitment.
Go over objections in your mind that they could have before they even come up. Not sure what objections they have? Call people on the phone. Talk to them in person. Message them. Pitch every one of them. You’ll get objections.
Marketing people hate rejection. But this is how you learn all the objections to come up with ways to counter them. And even use them to convince the person why they should act.
Come up with the answers and use them in the blog. Your audience will challenge because they yearn for a solution. Or they want to bring you down to their level to relate better. If they didn’t want a response from you, they wouldn’t answer at all.
Reasons must be answered with genuine care. They want help. You can make this possible with honest understanding. Meet their expectations, not yours. They will be your biggest commenter and testimonial.
Use the argumentative to advance your case. Don’t attack back. You can let your fans do that. The reader will either come around or leave.
This is the one you can convert with work. You now become the challenger. You can do this in your blog before it ever comes up.
“My wife doesn’t approve of this.”
“I’m not a salesman.”
“I don’t have enough money.”
“I just don’t have time.”
Don’t let an excuse see the time of day. Challenge every avoidance in your blog. Make them think. Don’t forget to future pace.
“Let’s imagine yourself in the same position five years from now. Then look back and ask yourself, what if I had done this back then.”
You can even juxtapose this with Time Distortion back and forth. Before they finally give in.
Here is your biggest converter. Offer them something that has a high value or price tag. They either won’t be able to afford what you’re offering, or they will jump on it. Why? Because your high-ticket buyers won’t want to let it get away.
Those who can’t afford the price (either a lot of work, extra time, or a big buy) will duck out. That’s where the value ladder comes in. You then offer a lower package, activity, or time commitment). This automatically gives relief to the one who wants to invest less.
They may not go for the next lower level. That’s why you keep offering a lower and lower package. That’s what makes it a value ladder.
Don’t go too low. Four levels should be the max. After that, you don’t want a freebie hunter wasting your time.
You did it! You got yourself an audience. They are responding with comments, emails, landing on your website. What do you do now?
Why do you need to do this? Letting them know you are real. So much online is now automated. That’s why there is always a response, “Talk to a Human.”
Do not avoid your readers. That’s death for a blogger.
Need any more information? Contact me on my website below.
Did you always know how to swim? You bobbed in the water when you learned. The first step was treading with your legs. The second step was plunging your arms through like boat ores. The challenge was at the deep end where your fear was focused.
My nephew couldn’t swim when he was a boy. He waded in the shallow end of the pool. You couldn’t even lead him to the deep end.
I swam around to give him an example but that didn’t do any good. I showed him how to tread water without swimming. He was splashing around but still wouldn’t leave the shallow water. Could you see him in a floatation device as an old man? That got me committed.
My mother called for him to come inside for lunch. That was my cue. I got out of the pool first. He crossed by me to head inside the house.
I threw him screaming into the deep end. Now he was in a state where he had to swim.
The following videos and resources are suggested by Network Las Vegas members for business education, renewal and inspiration. At some point during your day when you are dragging, experiencing burnout or simply blocked pertaining to your next business activity, do the following:
Free app available through Clark County libraries that allows library card holders to read or listen to books on their devices.
(Suggested by Satyra Tyler, Realtor, Select Properties Group)
Michael E. Gerber
Available On Amazon, Audible, Libby
(Suggested by Satyra Tyler, Realtor, Select Properties Group)
That is truly dependent on both your business and your “Exposure”. The best thing to do is talk with someone who can provide advice and options but for this purpose, let’s just go over the basics.
The insurance industry has spent a great deal of time and effort in 2 endeavors. First – they have worked very hard to make insurance look very complex and Second – they have also expended a lot of effort to “commoditize” insurance. Well, I am here to pull back the curtain and give you a head start on spending your insurance dollars well – it’s all about “Value”.
1) Auto Liability Insurance
The part that protects those You may cause injury to (along with damaging property). This is called Liability and it is the only part required by NV law. This coverage provides funds to help those that you injure to manage their medical issues. It also provides funds to repair or replace any damage you cause to property (cars, light poles, block walls, etc).
Like most things related to Insurance, Home Insurance can seem mystifying to most.
These are all great questions and they should be things you consider when purchasing insurance protection for your Home. After all – for most of us our Home is our single biggest asset!
Like most things that we don’t deal with on a daily basis, Home Insurance can seem confusing. But in general, most Home Insurance policies set aside a specified amount of money to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged by the specific circumstances outlined in the policy. It will also help repair or replace your personal items like Furniture, Electronics, Clothing, decorations, Linens, etc in a covered loss.