A few days ago, I was at a meeting with someone I had never met before. She didn’t know much about me or my business, the Sydney Writers’ Centre. And throughout the meeting she was very lovely and polite but … well … you can always tell when people “just aren’t that into you” (yes, that phrase applies to both business AND romance!).
The reality is that she had been introduced to me via a mutual contact and it seemed as if she was meeting with me out of obligation to our common friend.
I knew that we could both benefit from a business relationship but that’s not always easy to “sell” when the person you’re talking to isn’t really that engaged in the conversation. They could simply be preoccupied. They could be about to go on holidays. Or they could be having a tough day.
That doesn’t worry me – because while the deal you want may not work out right now, you can always try again some other time.
Towards the end of the coffee meeting (you can always tell when someone is making wrap-up noises can’t you?), I started to gather my notes, iPad and various gadgets. On top of the pile was this week’s (September 8, 2011) issue of BRW.
“Anything interesting this issue?” she said, making small talk while we waited for the bill.
Well, this is one of those movie moments.
I flicked it open (yes, okay, I’ll admit it, I had conveniently dog-eared page 52): “Sure,” I said. “Here’s an article on the Sydney Writers’ Centre. If you want some bedtime reading, the journalist has done a great job on it.”
Sydney Writers' Centre features in BRW in an article by Jeane-Vida Douglas
I could see her process what I just said, look at the full page article and then turn to look at the cover – I think to check that it was a current issue. She even looked at the photo in the magazine then back up to me!
I felt that was the perfect moment I revisit the ideas I had just proposed to her. And guess what? Even though the bill came, we ordered more and stayed chatting for another hour. And yes, we will be doing business together.
It goes to show how valuable media coverage – well, the right media coverage – can be.
If you want to get media coverage for your business or your message, our one-day seminar “PR and Media Releases That Get Results” may be just what you need to get started.
And you can read the online version of the article here.
Posted on 12 September 2011
