I just finished reading a terrific post by a guy I totally love, Mars Dorian. I am so totally glad you are back Mars! Anyway, he wrote a post on showing your vulnerable side and how this can totally benefit your business.
I’ve never been one to show fake successful stats or to show only my successes but lately, I’ve sure had a butt-load of successes. So when I read the post by Mars about how bloggers shouldn’t just show their pitch-perfect successful selves I bristled a little. I’ve worked super hard at building my little empire and I’m damned proud of it. Recently I was intereviewed in a story that ran in U.S. News & Report and one of my business tips also appeared on Dr. Shannon Reece’s website. So I bragged about that on social media. I’ve also recently bragged about how my business has tripled its revenue this year.
And though I still think I’m not over the top or misleading about my image or my success and even though I’m about to roll out a program that will make my every move transparent next year, that Mars Dorian post got to me a bit. So I thought I’d go ahead and admit to some of my flubs.
There is another reason I do this though. Have you ever been in line in the supermarket and seen those hideous shots of celebrities without makeup or the close ups of their fat-cellulite thighs? I never read those magazines but I LOVE THOSE PICTURES! I love them because even if it’s my favorite celebrity, seeing those flaws shows me that they aren’t super human and that I in fact can look like that if I magically gain the discipline to never eat a cookie again in my life and work out six hours a day. So I thought maybe people would be interested in my flaws too. Maybe, it would make my successes seem attainable to others. So here are a few doozies I’ve made in the last few years:
1. I once allowed someone to try to negotiate a deal with me on my rates for a project. Not only did I accept a lower rate but then they scope jacked me and it turned into a bigger project. Eventually I realized I was effectively being paid about $4.50 an hour. I had to dump the project without pay for what I had already completed.
2. I have missed opportunities to publicize my own news–even though my business is specializing in press releases and other types of business exposure.
3. From time to time I have allowed business to get in the way of personal experiences even though I fully believe in a life/work balance.
So there you have it. Some of my embarrassing mistakes. I’m sure there are others but I’ve no doubt buried them deep in my mind. The point is to go forward with your own business knowing that everyone is vulnerable, everyone makes mistakes and everyone who is successful, continues the pursuit of success despite those setbacks. In fact, those mistakes are the building blocks upon which you build your business. They create a solid foundation because usually when you make those mistakes, you learn from them and never make them again.
Maybe telling all is not for you. Maybe showing your vulnerability in business is not something you believe in. That’s OK. But at the very least, don’t be afraid to learn from those mistakes.
Shelly Cone is a journalist, public relations professional,
and press release writer. She is also the owner of Beach Betty Public
Relations, a California lifestyle design company offering press release
services, media relations and collaborative marketing events to help you
design your life by growing your business.