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You could argue that free is bad: That free gives no value. That free wastes people’s time. That free is setting your business up for failure. Or you could argue that free is good: That free DOES give value. That free captures attention. That free brings customers into your sales funnel. I’m gonna go with door #1. For 6 reasons: FREE helps others. Don’t be selfish with your knowledge….

Lately, a lot of people have been asking me the following question: “How much information should you put on your nametag?” I say: nothing but your first name. Here’s why… It’s simple. Too many nametags are jam-packed with too much information, thus decresing the font size of each word, thus making the nametag harder to read. First name is enough. It’s easier to remember. Sigmund Freud explained that “a…

A is for ATTITUDE B is for BREAK PATTERNS C is for CONSISTENCY D is for DISCIPLINE E QTis for EVOLUTION F is for FRIENDLINESS G is for GOOD WITH NAMES H is for HAPPINESS I is for IDEAS J is for JOY K is for KNOWLEDGE L is for LAUGHTER M is for MUNDANE N is for NAMETAGS O is for OFF BUTTON Lately, many of my clients,…

When I read Seth’s manifesto on Gaping Void yesterday, it truly inspired me. I’ve actually been wanting to finish my own manifesto for a while now. Thanks to Seth, this week I finally got around to it: HELLO, my name is Manifesto 1. Friendly always wins. Because it’s easier. Because, shockingly, not enough people are friendly. And because our world needs it. 2. Consistency is far greater than rare…

Last week I briefly talked about growing bigger ears. Since then I’ve received tons of awesome feedback on the topic of listening. (If you still have tips and ideas, email [email protected]) So, here’s my ever-growing list of Ways to Grow Bigger Ears: 1) Be less worried about what you’re planning to say next. 2) As soon as your follow-up question or rebuttal is formed, jot down just the major…

WARNING: This article does not encourage readers to actually punch their customers in the face. Here’s what I mean… In the process of breaking the silence, making the mundane memorable, turning strangers into friends, and turning friends into fans, you must IMMEDIATELY inform people of your credibility. Get their attention quickly and blatantly. Like punching them in the face. Here’s WHY I mean this. We live in an untrusting…

Potential customers, fans, friends, family members, audience members, readers of your material, website visitors, and pretty much anyone else that comes into contact with your business needs to know three things. This is what I call “The Triple D Factor.” (And no, it has nothing to do with Dolly Parton.) PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU: i. DO – for a living, as a professional, for companies, for customers….

I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that the art of listening is essential for making a name for yourself. Still, here are my four cents: 1) Listening is not waiting to talk. 2) You have one mouth and two ears. Listen and talk accordingly. 3) “You can’t learn if you’re speaking.” –Alan Weiss 4) A great way to show someone you’re listening is to say, “Wait,…

If you haven’t read my first post in this three part series, probably do that first. During that wonderful period after college, or as I like to call it, “The Two Years When My Business Wasn’t Making Money So I Lived in My Parents’ Basement and Worked a Part Time Job,” I took a nights/weekends position as a valet parker at a local hotel. (Read how I got hired…

Five down, one to go. I was so close to getting the job I could taste it! All I had to do was ace this last interview and I was a shoe-in for my new position at the Ritz Carlton. “OK Scott, this last question is kind of a tough one. Most applicants usually have trouble with it, so just take your time: Do you have any weaknesses?” Damn….