Be A "People Person"

Be a “People Person.” 

What To Look For In A Great Communicator, Part 5

“The way you see people is the way you treat them.´ Zig Ziglar

If you don’t genuinely like people, you’ll have a hard time in this business.  It really helps to be extroverted.  Over the years, I’ve worked with a few anchors and reporters who actually hated meeting viewers who recognized them.  Some of them even went so far as to “disguise” themselves when going out in public, as if they were movie stars. That's silly.  Others were simply rude to viewers who approached them.  This creates a nightmare of “word of mouth” advertising for yourself and your business.  These days, it’s even more dangerous as offended viewers can “broadcast” their feelings to hundreds or thousands on social media. For many of the viewers, they feel like they know you and what kind of person you are.  Meeting you is a big deal to them.  It might be the only impression they ever get of you.  Make it a positive one!  The viewers are your customers.  Leaving them with a positive experience creates loyal customers, who will in turn, give you GREAT “word of mouth” advertising.  I always approach each meeting with a viewer, listener or client as if they’re wearing a shirt which says “Treat me like I am important!”  It’s the same philosophy Mary Kay Ash instilled in her employees.  It’s simply because they ARE important!   And who knows, you might learn something yourself, or make a new friend!

"We build too many walls and not enough bridges."  Isaac Newton