Dance 10. Looks 3.

Today, we have A Chorus Line reference. This song keeps replaying in my head and has prompted me to think about this in terms of small business. How does a very technically excellent small business or entrepreneur crack through and look successful to attract success? You may be excellent at what you do, but if nobody knows about it, you have zero.

The song focuses on a talented female dancer who does not have the body shape to be outstanding. Rejection keeps coming because she does not look the part. Everything changes when she gets her "tits and ass" enhanced. Pretty racy for the 1980s, but the story is still relevant in the 2020s.

In business, there is much to be said about appearance. "Fake It 'til You Make It" or "Dress for the job you want, not the one you have" or "Look It. Act It. Be It". These clichés are tossed around focusing on the same thing: Unless you act like a successful business, no one is going to buy that you are a successful business.

When I was starting out, I used a virtual receptionist to answer the phones. That way, it seemed like more people worked at my consulting firm and the phones were always answered. Small thing, but it gave the appearance of permanence, which government clients need to have faith in to award larger contracts.

There are many ways to "fake it", but one of the most important is how you present yourself. Are you confident? Loud? Insecure? Bossy? Scatter-brained? Prepared? Disheveled? Polished? Regardless of industry, you are your brand. You are your company until you can scale to a point where there is name recognition and brand identification. For this, a couple of pro moves that are well within your control to implement:

• Your appearance. Is it appropriate for the business in which you work? Are you stylish and updated? Do you look put together? All of this comes through to support that your business is successful.
• Your professionalism. Are you prepared for meetings and client interactions? Are you punctual? Do you communicate effectively? Successful firms have buttoned up personnel. Work on your soft skills for more business success.
• Your communication. Is your marketing collateral reflective of your business? Do you have standard templates and communication guidelines? Amateurs have bad communication. Pros use effective communication to build their business.
• Your listening skills. Everyone wants to be heard, but do you talk too much? Or too little? Do you have something to say or are you just blowing hot air? Are you knowledgeable enough to hear what a prospect is telling you? Do you listen effectively? Most people listen so they can start to talk. This is a red flag. Listen to what your targets, prospects and clients are saying. You'll find out what the real problem is, then you can help develop a solution. If you just talk or listen superficially, you will never get beyond a superficial relationship.

These are well within your control to work on and improve. Of course, first and foremost, you have to be excellent at what you do. That is foundational. But after that, people need to know you exist, so how you present yourself is your message that you are a serious business person. You will find that when you present yourself as a successful, informed entrepreneur that this image will take root and the perception of your business will improve and prospects will be attracted to work with you. No one wants to work with a "3". Go out there and be the "10".

Don't be the most talented hidden person anymore. Reach out at [email protected] or https://www.calendly.com/libby-coaching.