10 How to Sell Yourself
- Running as a candidate for election.
- Testifying before a legislative or regulatory body or a
jury. - Teaching.
- Preaching.
- Negotiating.
That’s what selling yourself is all about. It’s getting your mes-
sage across, sending the right signals that you’re saying what you
mean and that you mean what you say. Understanding you should
take no special effort on the part of the person you’re talking to.
Today, it seems as though everything is conspiring to make us
do the wrong things. When I opened my business years ago, my
first call was from the Yellow Pages. The representative told me I
was entitled to a free listing. I asked what my options were and got
six or seven categories. I picked the one I thought was perfect. I
chose “Communications Consultant.” Today, I’m getting calls to
fix fax machines. Technology has taken over and replaced the real
person.
It’s become frustrating to call a company that depends on cus-
tomers for business. This is what we’re hearing more often than
not:
“This call may be recorded to ensure quality.
Please listen carefully as our menu has changed.
If you are calling to...press 1.
For information about...press 2.
If you want to report a...press 3.
If you know your party’s extension, press it now.
For other reasons not covered, please stay on the line.
All our operators are currently serving other customers.
Your call is important to us, so please stay on the line.”
...Two minutes later...
“Your call is important. Please stay on the line. A repre-
sentative will be with you shortly.”
This is progress?
This is communication?T
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