Communicating optimism is ultimately important particularly for small business owners and solo professionals. Of course people only do business with those they know, like and trust. How many people can you say you truly like who are doom and gloom all the time? I’d guess not many.
Remember the Wizard of Oz and the scene with Dorothy and friends cautiously walking down the yellow brick road afraid of what might jump out at them? As the walked forward they chanted, “Lions, and tigers, and bears. Oh my!”
Well, with the state of affairs in the US and around the world, the news can inspire a similar scary chant of, “Bailouts, and gas prices, and wars, oh my.”
I personally tend to be an enthusiastic person and get excited about my business and working with my wonderful clients. For me being optimistic is easy. But what’s a business owner to do if things really aren’t going so well? Here are 7 tips for how to communicate optimism in a negative environment:
1. Remember: It’s the media’s job to point out what’s not working or is different or unusual.
Would it really be news if a story had this opening, “Everything at ABC Company is running smoothly.” Not likely. There is no story when it’s all going ok. In the news media the line, “If it bleeds it leads” is a common unwritten journalistic rule. So ignore the gloom and doom news (yes there are still plenty of ways to stay informed) and seek out positive messages to feed your mind and spirit.
2. It’s important to never misrepresent yourself or your business by lying in any way.
While some may believe false sentiments, it puts you out of integrity. And integrity is one way to being credible. You lose that, and you lose a lot.
3. Consider your own mindset.
If you are in a negative place, it can be difficult to communicate optimism and positivism. Get yourself and your mind in a positive mode by doing an activity you enjoy, talking to someone you care about, or whatever it takes to get you feeling good.
4. If you have setbacks, pay attention to the language you use.
Focus on external sources, rather than blaming yourself and realize that all setbacks are limited in nature. This too shall pass.
5. When communicating how you feel about what is happening in your business avoid hedging phrases like “cautiously optimistic.”
That sounds not so optimistic at all! Find something to be optimistic about and be all in; expect good things and more good things will follow.
6. Find something that is working right and is going well.
Then emphasize the positive pieces in your messages.
7. Be grateful for all you have that is good.
Make sure you regularly communicate your gratitude and thanks to those who support you and your business. It can be as simple as adding an automated “thank you” response to an online purchase to a personalized, hand-written note sent via “snail mail” and anything in between.
The more you focus on the positive and communicate optimism, the better frame of mind you’ll be in and your clients and prospects will notice that and be attracted to you. And that attraction is what can lead to better results for you from your effective communication.
Regardless of the method you choose, effective communication with your clients and prospects is the key to making your business successful. The first thing you need to communicate– and continue to communicate — is your credibility. Without credibility, your business will go nowhere. With it, you’ll automatically attract new clients and see positive cash flow
I invite you to discover what you need to know about Credibility and Cash Flow now. Visit http://www.CredibilityAndCashFlow.com to get your free e-course that will help you customize a credibility plan for your business and get you more clients, more business and more money
Felicia J. Slattery, M.A., M.Ad.Ed. is a communication consultant, speaker & coach specializing in training small and home-based business owners effective communication skills so they can see more cash flow now
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