I thought about becoming an independent writer for a long time.

The one theme I heard over and over was do something you are passionate about.

It sounds simple but it has its risks.

Because it’s something you care about, the thought of failure is daunting.

Nevertheless, the rewards are so much more satisfying.

When you believe in your business, it shows.

Share Your Passion

Successful business people know how to share their passion. Through words and images, the business rock stars convey their dream.

Communication is powerful. Those who allow others a peek inside that passion achieve more than the next sale.

Let’s take a look at how you can share the passion of your business.

Reality check

Right out of the blocks, if you are not passionate about your business that shows, too.

So, the first step is a reality check.

• Are you passionate about what you do?
• Were you before, but you’re not now?
• Has your passion changed?

Try this simple exercise. Make a list of your top 10 things you are passionate about. Think beyond work.

After you have your list, look at each item. Rate each on a scale of 1 to 5 as to how prevalent they are in your life right now (1-non-existent to 5-huge part of your life).

You now have a target list of things you need to “fix” or “foster.” Your results could mean anything from changing your career, taking personal time or reigniting a passion you once had.

Assuming your business made the list, let’s move on to how you demonstrate your belief in your business.

Keep it simple

Technology and social media make it easy to share your passion with the world. Even if you never embraced the cyber world, there is plenty of help for delivering your message.

Skilled communicators know how to translate your passion into something others want to share.

A tip for success ~

Keep it simple. Don’t lose your message in the delivery.

Remember the early days of Flash? It seemed every website had Flash intros. It trapped you in a web of flashing, moving graphics with no apparent value.

Or for my technophobic readers, think back to when a coworker discovered how to make bullet points spiral on a PowerPoint presentation.

That’s allowing the delivery to lose your message

Keep it clear

Do you know what your message is? Your reflex response is probably, “Of course I do.”

Have you ever arrived at a sales meeting and been told your allotted hour had been cut down to 15 minutes? Ouch. It happens.

Would you be able to deliver your message in 15 minutes and still make your key points?

It pays to plan your message.

Keep it clear – stay focused on your message.

Cliff Atkinson’s Beyond Bullet Points offers a great story template for creating simple and clear PowerPoint presentations. I often use his template for organizing written communication.

It’s a story structure that provides a framework for your message.

For purposes of a PowerPoint, it identifies three key points with an explanation and detail for each point. What you end up with is a solid basis for a short, 15-minute and a longer, 60-minute version of your presentation.

Whatever method you use, plan your message by identifying key points.

Put yourself in the shoes of the customer and ask, “Why should I care about this?”

Armed with your key points and an answer to that question, you will have no problem delivering that 15-minute presentation.

Keep it uniquely yours

Nothing demonstrates your passion more than putting your own spin on your product or service. It shows you are willing to take that risk in sharing a piece of yourself.

This is especially critical if your business is in a highly competitive market.

• What’s different about what you have to offer?
• How does the potential customer know it will work?

If you have nothing better to offer, why would a customer do business with you?

Keep it uniquely yours – Believe in your business. It shows.

My passion? Communication. What’s yours?

Contact me for your business communication – I would love to help!

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