Make a Power Introduction

When you meet someone for the first time, it's very common to be asked the question, "What do you do?" I've noticed that it tends to produce dull answers. Some will say something that's immediately forgettable, like, "I do sales stuff."

That's not very good self-promotion. Would a baker say, "I make food." No, he or she would respond with something like, "I make the most amazing chocolate chip cookies that melt in your mouth and make you reach for the nearest glass of milk."

I've learned from branding experts that it's best to describe yourself in terms of what you can do for others. For example, "I help companies boost their profits through time management." That's much more powerful than saying, "I'm a consultant." The goal is to give people a taste of what you do and then be quiet. I'm suggesting silence because what you really want is to give the other person a chance to ask you a question that allows you to talk more about your expertise. If you talk non-stop, the other person will tune you out.

Avoid just saying a title as most are easily forgettable and don't really tell what you may do. I know some people with fantastic jobs but dull titles. Plus a title doesn't communicate passion for your work.

If you're on the other side of this conversation, ask the person a question about his or her work. It's a great way to build rapport with someone new.

Unusual Marketing Choice

I recently noticed that restaurant KFC has started up a promotional campaign linked to the final season of science fiction TV series, Battlestar Galactica. TV and movie tie-ins are nothing new but one aspect of the campaign struck me as a bit odd.

The promotion is called the, "Frak Pack Sweepstakes." Apparently ten lucky winners will get lots of Battlestar Galactica products as well as a year's worth of KFC. The strange thing is the promotion's use the word, "Frak." As fans of the show know, that word is used as a substitute for the word commonly known the "f-word." It's a way the producers have come up with that allows characters to curse without getting into trouble with network sensors.

As a fan of alliteration, I appreciate the marriage of the words, frak and pack. I just wonder if the promotions department at KFC has ever watched the program.