Getting the gig

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from Sylvia, a coaching client who was in a bit of a kerfuffle. She'd heard on the grapevine that a big project was coming up with a past contact and it was work that suited her to a T. What's more she was hungry for success.

Sylvia hadn't spoken to this business acquaintance for a while and was unsure what to do. Talking to Sylvia on the phone, I quickly steered the discussion away from business and instead reminisced about teenage courtship. As you do.

I wondered what a young admirer would have done if he'd fancied Sylvia and desperately wanted to take her out. Chances are he'd have paced nervously up and down, unsure what to do.

But what would Sylvia have wanted him to do? "I'd have wanted him to call!" she exclaimed. Well of course she would.

It feels nice to be pursued, doesn't it? What's more, it really doesn't matter what you think of the other party. Even if you are totally disinterested, does your impression of that person decline? Not at all, in fact the reverse is usually true.

How sensible to pursue! How courageous! It's quite possible you'll refer to a friend or even keep your devotee in the wings for some later date. Let's not go there.

In business, if we see something we want, a project or challenge that we know is screaming out for our input and we have a line of communication open with a decision maker (or decision influencer), we should just get on the phone or burst into their office and say it. Straight out, say it.

Sylvia did. She got on the phone and said words to the effect: "I know that Project X is coming up soon and I'd like to work on it. What do I need to do to be considered?"

Surprise, surprise, it looks like she's getting the gig. Her contact was bowled over by her passion and energy and told her that she'd just done everything she needed to do. After all, what sort of provider do you want handling your business - someone who's so so, or someone who's got the hots?

I'll wager you've some experiences to share, or can think of someone to bowl over right now. Spill the beans and share your thoughts below.

Finally, if you participated in the discussion from a few weeks ago on Words that get noticed, hop back over there to see my latest comment, which shares some new resources that give great advice on how to introduce your business.

Until next week.

Love your work,

Robert Gerrish is Flying Solo’s managing director and founder and works as a business coach, professional speaker, business commentator and consultant. He’s the co-author of Flying Solo – How to go it alone in business.

5 comments | Add your own

I absolutely agree - about 7 years ago, I approached a government organisation who had a program that covered an area I was really interested in, to see if I could assist in any way, and by sheer coincidence ended up helping run the program for 4 years! Don't forget the perspective of the person organising the work - it might be a prayer from heaven for someone who is qualified and keen to ring up and ask how they can help, rather than them having to work out the resourcing! Tracey from Newcastle
Spot on Tracey and, as always, Robert (OK, so I'm a raving fan). Good people who often have real value to offer other people in need are so often too wrapped up in their own lack of confidence that they refuse to share their wealth of knowledge with others who need it - a bit like extreme arrogance but in a mirror-image world! So go for it and PLEASE remember, its not about you, its about THEM! Grant Hyman from Sydney | Read my articles
In the entertainment industry it is hard to get the sponsorship dollar.. in early 06 I set up a open mike night.. it bombed, out of that A pub was looking into entertainment and a foray into comedy.. I use the knowledge and prices that i had at the time, deemed too high,they gave me a ballpark figure.. I now use open mike comedians which are a fraction of the price of headliners..they own the venue, and this comedy show at Union Jacks Ale house has been running for 4 months now.. because i came up with a solution.. now i am looking at managing buskers and getting them some work, focusing on struggle classically trained soloist who are busking for chump change.. when there is a viable market for restaurants.. it may or may not work.. but it is low cost and that is what being a budding entrepreneur is all about, and guess what.. the opportunity came from the same company who has a restaurant.. find the right soloist and i can use that as a template for other restaurants.. so ppl go for it, make any suggestion.. even if you feel that it is wrong because there will always be a solution, also as i have built this talent pool of comics i have been accepted as a sub talent agent for a major movie studio in Queensland for graduate actors.. All this because i went after it and did it... darrell_dower from Brisbane
May 06 I socially met a Director of a company that I aspired to work with at an event that I had voluntarily worked (almost single handedly) on. I kept in contact with this prospect over the 6 months. Eventually I was contacted to present some ideas. All of course were rejected, but they saw enough to offer me their marketing projects. I got THE phone call 1 week before Christmas, and 1 hour before meeting with my prospective business mentor. It was a jolly festive season. The contract was signed in January 07. 2 weeks into the contract the 4 projects had grown to 8. 2 months into the contract I have 20+ projects with them at once! As their trust grows, the ice I am skating on becomes thicker and the projects become more plentiful (and profitable). Patience, persistence and confidence - works. Target the prospects you want to work with, and start the communication with them. The rewards will follow. Laynie Kelly from Business & Office Solutions
What an inspiring story Laynie, congratulations Robert Gerrish from Flying Solo | Read my articles

5 comments | Add your own

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