May 28, 2009 81 Comments

Be Naked

Not Naked You could’ve learned this years ago by reading Naked Conversations. It’s still a worthwhile book. You should pick upTactical Transparency to go with it, actually, to understand when it’s not cool to be naked. The thing is this: if you’re going into this space of coming off-script and being social, you’ve gotta be naked. Want some tips?

How to Be Naked (and then, how not)

  • Be who you are, not an icon. People want the real public face of you (at least, the “best of” you).
  • Speak like a human. Try removing jargon and business-speak. No one says “next generation” in person.
  • Go where the people are. If you’re not at the face-to-face events, you’re not really committed to the larger opportunity. (This is really subjective).
  • Be ready to apologize. If you do something wrong, say so. (Mind you, be clear on what the legal implications of saying such might be.)
  • Ask about other people. If you’re using social tools to try and drive business, be a human about it and ask people about themselves, too. If you’re not participating in both ways, you’re acting like you’re using the community.
  • Be helpful. It’s not always about pushing your brand. Sometimes, the best way to get results is to help others be successful. Can you equip others to do their job better? Do that.
  • Be there before the sale. The best way to drive stronger marketing experiences and convert people into customers is to be there long before you need something from people. Sure, it takes longer, but I’ve seen lots of situations where this is what brought in the big sale over another person. If your prospect feels like she knows you, it works really well.

You don’t have to do any of this. You can just keep doing what you’re doing. But if you’re wondering why social media stuff isn’t working well for you, look at the list above and decide whether you’re giving this work the effort and intent that it requires.

What do you think?

ChrisBrogan.com runs on the Genesis Framework

Genesis Theme Framework

The Genesis Framework empowers you to quickly and easily build incredible websites with WordPress. Whether you're a novice or advanced developer, Genesis provides you with the secure and search-engine-optimized foundation that takes WordPress to places you never thought it could go.

With automatic theme updates and world-class support included, Genesis is the smart choice for your WordPress website or blog.

Become a StudioPress Affiliate

← Older Comments
  • http://www.jeffwolfsberg.com/ Jeff Wolfsberg

    Hi Chris,

    I love this post and almost missed it. You are one of the first blogs I subscribed to when i began using Google Reader. As time goes by, I have begun to read many other bloggers and social media titans like Seth, etc… Where does this leave me, less time to read you! I'd like to throw out a radical idea that may be met with “what!” Has anyone ever suggested – blog less! I don't know how you do a post each day, but it is overwhelming to keep up just the reading part. I'm more likely to delete seven posts after missing a week and starting fresh than to read 3-4 posted over the course of seven days.

    Regards,

    Jeff Wolfsberg

  • http://sometimesithink-krissy.blogspot.com iamkrissy

    You're correct. Be who you are, help people. If you need help later perhaps others will reciprocate. Why not? Just be yourself, be real. Social Media IS the real world, if you are the same person online and off! I hate it when some tweeters say “I have my online friends,” and “I have my real life friends.” Or whatever phrase they use. The first time I heard it I was flabbergasted. So what was being said was that we weren't real while we were online, or anytime for that matter, if we were “online friends.” Now that's just preposterous. If we're consistent, we're the same online and offline. And hopefully that's someone helpful, someone genuinely interested in others, someone who doesn't bust in and become a taker — someone who is a giver not a taker. Just be a giver and it will be reciprocated. :)

    krissy knox :)
    follow me on Twitter
    http://twitter.com/iamkrissy

  • http://frontofficebox.com/ Steve Reeves

    As always I really appreciate the focus you bring to these subjects – thanks.

    Unfortunately there's a large number of contributors to social space who haven't (and won't) read you on the subject :-(

    Thanks

    Steve

  • http://www.reachpersonalbranding.com williamarruda

    Your first point is key – authenticity.

    It is all about being yourself – your best self. That's at the heart of effective personal branding. It means understanding what makes you exceptional and using it to stand out and add value to others.

    Thanks for this strong endorsement for authenticity. The new world of work requires that you use your best self to deliver value – and all communications (on- and off-line) require this.

    Best.
    William
    http://www.williamarruda.com

  • http://www.sjodesigns.com/ Ryan

    “Be there before the sale. The best way to drive stronger marketing experiences and convert people into customers is to be there long before you need something from people. Sure, it takes longer, but I’ve seen lots of situations where this is what brought in the big sale over another person. If your prospect feels like she knows you, it works really well.”

    This is well worth banking thought on!

  • http://www.BrandSecrets.com/ Jon Ward

    Love that slogan: “Be there before the sale”. That's what true branding is about. Generate interest, build a connection, give value generously… Then sell without selling.

  • http://www.netwitsthinktank.com frank barry

    Ask about other people … i relate this to caring about other. Sometimes i find this hard to do on the web. shoot, it can be tough to do in person on a large scale. having close friends takes work and the same is true online. you have to work at it. maybe more than offline because you don't have the same type of personal connection with people like you can get with face to face interaction.

    Be helpful … this is kind of a next step of sorts. if you are caring and building relationships with folks online going the extra mile to be helpful makes logical sense. the trick is actually being this way all the time. like point one above, it takes a lot of work and persistence.

    Why does it have to be so hard man!! :)

    Come to think of it nothing in life worth a thing is easy, right. I've got to work at having close friends in real life evrey day.

    http://twitter.com/franswaa

  • http://www.prudentcloud.com/ SM

    I completely agree with Chris's comment on being helpful. Lot of people talk about it but all along their intention is to see what they get out of the interaction. I have seen people who pretend to be long-lost brothers and once they realize they are not getting anything don't even bother to keep in touch.

    Any/all relationships would prosper with give and take (did you notice the order of the words – give and take). Always try to help others and your deeds will find a way to come back and help you when needed.

  • Pingback: John Griogair Bell’s Blog » For what it’s worth, I like you better naked

  • http://www.takefreeonlinesurveysformoney.com/ Paid Survey Sites

    You have to learn to not blog just for yourself. Or blog just to see the rewards. We have to help others when we blog, whether it be by asking or answering questions, or teaching something new.

    -Thanks-

  • http://www.takefreeonlinesurveysformoney.com/ Paid Survey Sites

    You have to learn to not blog just for yourself. Or blog just to see the rewards. We have to help others when we blog, whether it be by asking or answering questions, or teaching something new.

    -Thanks-

  • Pingback: How Businesses Should Social Network | Front Office Box

  • Pingback: The Naked Web and Social Media Transparency

  • Pingback: Heart: Interview with Michele Miller, Part 2 — The Daily Blur | Tim Miles, Wizard of Ads | www.TheDailyBlur.com

  • linke69

    Domenico Dolce,1958 the year is born in Sicily, then study is the designer since childhood in father's clothing store; Has Venice blood relationship Stefano Gabbana, was born in 1962 in Milan. At the same time them holds the post in Milan designs the assistant to become a buddhist get to know, because to the Baroque artistic style's affection, two people decided similarly opens the brand together the name union. in 1985, Dolce & Gabbana the female attire publication which will conduct for the first time in Milan will receive the high praise greatly, has established the greatest confidence for them http://www.coachofnewyork.com/

  • http://www.air-jordan-9.com air jordan 9

    You look like a million dollars.

  • http://www.air-jordan-10.com/ air jordan 10

    Well , the view of the passage is totally correct ,your details is really reasonable and you guy give us valuable informative post, I totally agree the standpoint of upstairs. I often surfing on this forum when I m free and I find there are so much good information we can learn in this forum! http://kite8.net/

  • http://www.ed-hardy-outlet.net ED Hardy cheap
  • http://www.ed-hardy-outlet.net ED Hardy cheap
  • http://www.usaugg-shops.com UGG

    ancient flame totem
    it stops the mouth not to say suddenly. three monster fox in front of it, have stood slowly, the hand extends to the bosom, put out nightfall uggs discount ugg boots both sides to have the red silk guangzhou's magic weapon, was precisely the unreliable fire warning. in this hot flame steamings in the lava burrow, the unreliable fire warning is also short black ugg illuminated faintly blushes, but center it that ancient flame totem, ugg usa as if also will at this moment burn ultra short ugg general, several want to spurt thinly. three monster fox,

    open in the ugg uk small ordinary way of seeing things that gentle white clothing female, at this moment is staring in hand's unreliable fire warning, several, some drop of teardrops, have not dropped quietly suddenly in the unreliable fire warning, a moment later, changes to makes the white smoke, curls raises. the book arrives at here, what is really the tear falls the front piece, mourns in one's heart, if dies, compares the author to write about here also unavoidably to stop the pen not to be good, does not endure to continue, that falls quietly waterdrop, but also withers and falls between your mine heart

  • http://www.cheap-nikeshox.com nike shox

    Thanks a landlord it! I acquired yet some insight. Life is so colorful, we should be able to live in, such as Korea and honor the planet. Human life is like rivers, slowly flowing, flowing rivers, flowing through the snow, flows through the prairie and ultimately into the sea, return to the embrace of nature, start a new reincarnation. Allow us to feel the meaning of life will come only to those you have those memories http://www.cheap-nikeshox.com/nike-shox-R3.html

  • Ugg boots sale

    1.Ugg footwear is a great regard for your base like many reasons.cheap uggs for sale. Probably the most rocky landscape. Another equally important disputeugg uk is the ever-mounting medley of styles ugg boots saleand ensign that you are removable to buy ugg boots, actually form to the shape of the arch.。 UGG Bailey Button★UGG Argyle Knit★UGG Cardy★UGG Crochet★UGG Flower★UGG Leopard★UGG Mini★UGG Paisley★UGG Short★UGG Tall★UGG Elsey Wedge★UGG Infants Erin★UGG Langley★UGG Lo Pro★UGG Lo Pro Button★UGG Locarno★UGG Mayfaire★UGG Nightfall★UGG Rainier Eskimo★UGG Sundance II★UGG Ultimate Bind★UGG Ultra Short★UGG Ultra Tall★UGG Suede★UGG Upside★UGG Roxy★UGG Seline★UGG Corinth Wedge★UGG Liberty★UGG Highkoo★UGG Knightsbridge★UGG Bomber Jacket★UGG Adirondack★UGG Suburb Crochet★UGG Bailey Button Boots★UGG Classic Argyle Knit★UGG Classic Cardy Boots★UGG Classic Crochet Boots★UGG Classic Flower boots★UGG Classic Tall Boots 5684 Leopard★UGG Classic Mini Boots★UGG Classic Paisley Boots★UGG Classic Short Boots★UGG Classic Tall Boots★UGG Elsey wedge Boots★UGG Infant's Erin Baby★UGG Women's Langley Boots Black★UGG Lo Pro Button Boots★UGG Women's Locarno Boots★UGG Mayfaire boots★UGG Nightfall Boots★UGG Rainier Eskimo Boots★UGG Sundance II Boots★UGG Ultimate Bind Boots★UGG Ultra Short Boots★UGG Ultra Tall Boots★UGG Suede Boots★UGG upside Boots★UGG Roxy Tall Boots★UGG seline Boots★UGG Women's Corinth Boots in Cocoa★UGG Liberty Boots★UGG Highkoo Boots★UGG Knightsbridge Boots★UGG Bomber Jacket Boots★UGG Adirondack Tall Boot★UGG Suburb Crochet Boots★
    2.MBT Habari★MBT Karani★MBT Kaya★MBT Kisumu★MBT Lami★MBT M.Walk★MBT Moto GTX★MBT Sapatu★MBT Sport 2★MBT Tariki★air jordan shoes

  • http://www.gucci1923.com/ gucci outlet

    Thanks

    Steve

  • http://www.loveshoppingshoes.com/alexander-mcqueen-flats-c-77_80.html Christianlouboutinflats

    Thank you for sharing!

  • http://www.loveshoppingshoes.com/alexander-mcqueen-flats-c-77_80.html Christianlouboutinflats

    Thank you for sharing!

  • http://www.louisvuitton4love.com/louis-vuitton-speedy-30-n41533-p-404.html louis vuitton speedy 30

    I am very interested in the write’s view on the leisure. As people’s living conditions are increasingly favorable, diversified recreations are accepted by people. Here are some sits can buy to leisure-related products.

  • http://www.topguccistore.com/gucci-techno-tag-medium-boston-bag-241097-fpo1n-1000-p-217.html Gucci Techno

    It is great!

  • http://www.gucciwebbag.com/gucci-new-jackie-large-shoulder-bag-218491-cd11g-8418-p-92.html gucci shoulder bags

    Nice post. This post is different from what I read on most blog. And it have so many valuable things to learn. Thank you for your sharing!

  • Pingback: Communicating In A Brave New(d) World

  • ed hardy outlet

    Thank
    you for your blog, I benefit a lot from it.

  • Pingback: Be There Before the Sale | FastBlink

← Older Comments