Stop Hooking, Just Get to the Point

Businesses are taught to hook their audience's attention and then provide something valuable to keep them there long enough to take action. That's not wrong.

But if you've already hooked them, get to the point already.

Why are they receiving this?

What do they need to know?

What do they need to do?

When using a more intimate line of communication, like email or questionnaires, skip the fluff and get to your point within 3-5 seconds.

PERMISSIVE LANGUAGE

Permissive language is indirect and open ended. And while that does help build relationships, it doesn't always result in those relationships taking the action you need them to take.

Permissive language is appropriate for storytelling, building rapport, and inviting connection.

• Blogs

• Initial inquiries

• Social media

• Casual check ins

Places where your personality, your stories, and the welcoming of actual feedback and willy nilly engagement is welcome.

WHERE IT BREAKS DOWN

A big complaint I hear from women in business is around people not viewing their business as a business. A "little" business, sure. A hobby, yep. But viewing it as an actual and acceptable means to provide for their families, nah.

What those people likely aren't getting from you is the confidence that you are a business owner.

And it's because you do stuff like this 👉 You apologize for collecting payments. You don't enforce your contract. You consistently sell yourself short.

DO ANY OF THESE SOUND FAMILIAR?

• If you're comfortable with…

• Whenever you get a chance…

• When you have a moment…

• I know you're busy, but…

• I completely understand if…

• I hope it's okay that…

• I don't mean to bother you, but…

• I hate to ask, but…

• I hope this isn't too much to ask…

• I just wanted to…

• I wanted to take a moment to…

• I was hoping to…

• I thought I might…

• I was wondering if…

• If you don't mind…

• If that works for you…

Are you sure you believe you're a real business? If you're having trouble having people view you as someone to be respected as a business owner, make sure you believe it first.

IF YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE WITH PEOPLE TAKING ACTION...

Cut the fluff and get to the point.

When you ask permission or apologize for things that aren't actually negotiable, like your payment schedule and response times, you inadvertently tell people you don't even value the rules you made up.

You do not need to apologize for delivering down to the wire (as long as it was on time). You do not need to acknowledge that it was down to the wire.

As someone who is the queen of conversational communication, I can tell you that when it's time to get down to business, you better be willing to get down to business or the hook will have been a waste.

Day 13 of 30 days writing every day.