When introducing your brand or solution, first impressions are far more powerful than we give them credit for, especially when woven into a story.
They don't always need a glossy brochure or a face-to-face meeting because at some point you are either ready to listen or not.
Great stories don’t appeal to logic, but they often appeal to our senses because we connect real experiences through feelings!
If you need to water down your story to appeal to everyone, it will appeal to no one. The most effective stories appeal to a tiny audience, and then that tiny audience spreads the story.
If your restaurant is in the right location but had the wrong menu, you lose. If your art gallery stocks amazing artwork but your staff are not interested in art, you lose. Consumers are clever and they’ll understand if you are genuine or not.
Most of all, great stories agree with our world view. The best stories teach people nothing new. Instead, the best stories agree with what the audience already believes and makes them feel smart and secure when reminded how right they were in the first place.
If your first impression is to ask for the sale, you may get a few prospects buying from you, but they will also know that they can go elsewhere in the future, because you have no real foundation.
Connecting with your audience means developing a long term relationship which can lead to many sales opportunities in the future because you have already built up confidence, trust and a desire for better.
So do first impressions really count?
Knock knock..
Who's there?
Double glazing salesman who wants to sell double glazing!
No Thanks!
or
Knock knock
Who's there?
Double glazing salesman with a leaflet on how best to look after your windows!
Oh Thanks!
What first impression do you want your brand to give?
