“I’m the best in this field, no one does it better.”
“I may not have any hits or even put out any music, but I know I’m better than Davido and Wiz Kid put together.”
And the most common of them?
“I have made six figures every week since I started this business. If you’re interested in being like me, comment ‘Yes’ below.
More often than not, people who make these sort of pronouncements are noisemakers and nothing more.
The one who tells everyone who cares to listen that he is the creme of the crop in his profession is most likely an average executive. The artiste who continues to rant about how luck is the only reason some of his colleagues are more recognised than he is without having so much as a track to show for his own efforts is lazy or bitter or both. And there’s a huge possibility that the “six-figure making merchant” who’s supposedly rich, yet is so desperate to recruit others is at best—a liar and at worst— a con man.
But it’s a trend that has refused to go away. People talk up a skyscraper about what they are all about. The many feats they have achieved, and how they are so successful—and with the advent of social media—things have gotten worse. From Facebook to Twitter to Instagram to LinkedIn, it’s a battle of who can propagate the gospel of their brand the most. Who can magnify their services to prospective clients through high falutin words; empty rhetorics that aren’t backed by substance.
While saying the right words to a target audience is a great way to gain patronage, imagine the disappointment a first-time client would feel if they chose to give your business a try only to discover your expertise is nothing close to the realm of what you have touted it to be. Aside from the possibility of losing a client for life, the multiplier effect of the negative review by that individual or business cannot be quantified.
Show, don’t tell.
There’s plenty of chest-beating in modern day human interaction. Now, this isn’t wrong if one is truly good at what they do and are supremely confident in delivering on what they boast of. Instead, many times what obtains is the opposite—whip up curiosity and excitement about what you do by repeatedly talking about it and project a false appearance—only to come up short when it’s time to deliver the “goods”.
Demonstrate your expertise.
If you’re as good as you claim to be, then you must go one step further to provide evidence of your skill, prowess or product. It’s never sufficient to proclaim your alpha professional status without substance to back it up. At some point, when I needed to let more people know about the writing, proofreading, and editing services I offer, I put up an online ad and shared it on all my social media platforms.
However, I found there was a better way. I figured If I could find a way to demonstrate my content creation dexterity, I’d be more effective in convincing potential clients that I was their go-to person when it came to the services I provide. So I began to write more often—and not just write—but share insights on writing and editing through #TheWritersSeries. Guess what? It has worked like (almost) magic; my audience have begun to seek me out themselves as opposed to my initial strategy of simply telling people what I could do for them.
The biggest success stories we had in times past and those who are currently leading the pack in their field of endeavour all have one thing in common—they proved they were the best in the game. They weren’t just on social media bragging and claiming points they never scored.
Don’t just tell people you are the best chef or caterer they could ever contract, prove it by treating them a scrumptious food tasting session. Think you’ve got a voice that can rival the combination of Beyonce and Mariah Carey? Then you have no business confining your singing skills to the bathroom like the rest of us; do a demo and send it out to radio stations. You never know when your break will come.
Even in everyday relations, as humans, we appreciate people who are all about action. It is not by swearing you’ll be the best boyfriend or husband that girl will ever have. It’s by proving it through your deeds.
New employees are often placed on a period of probation during which their performance is appraised before they are deemed fit to become full members of staff because employers know an interview is inadequate in determining how well a candidate will perform on the job.
It’s not even bad to be underrated. The lower people gauge your capabilities, the higher your chances of leaving them mouth agape when you prove them wrong.
Show. Show. Show. Don’t tell.
It’s the one way to get the attention you deserve.
👏👏👏👏Another mind-blowing piece!
Isn’t this what we see every day?!
Thank you so much, Vivienne!