Little Things Do Mean A Lot

Little Things Do Mean A Lot by Mike Moore

While I am always on the lookout for ways to market myself
as a speaker it is often a time consuming task and one I am
not overly fond of. Once in awhile something you do
inadvertently turns out to be an effective marketing
strategy. Let me explain.

Last summer I was driving alone through Northern Ontario
Canada on my way to Lake Superior country for my annual solo
camping trip. I do this once a year to find solitude and
peace in the beauty of nature and to recharge my emotional
batteries . As I was driving through a small town between
Sudbury and Sault Ste Marie I passed an insurance business
which I knew was owned by the family of a young woman I had
gone to College with. I began to
reminisce and wondered where Margaret was and what had
happened to her since college days. On the spur of the
moment I pulled into the parking lot, went in and met her
brother who had taken over the business after their Father
had retired.

After discovering that my friend from college was alive and
well and now a director of education in Southern Ontario I
gave her brother my card with a request to tell Margaret
that I had dropped in and was asking for her. I continued
my way north.

One year later I received a call from Margaret telling me
that her brother had indeed given her my message. After a
long conversation during which we caught up on all the news
Margaret invited me to conduct a one day seminar with her
administration and office staff. I agreed and we started
making plans and fleshing out the details of the day.

The day took place on the 16th of April/03 and went very
well. For my efforts I was wined, dined and housed in a very
nice hotel. Best of all I not only received my full fee for
a one day seminar, but also a very healthy order
for 250 copies of my books.

If I hadn’t stopped on a whim to inquire about a college
friend from years ago I would have missed out on a full day
seminar at full fee, a healthy order for my books and a
glowing testimonial letter from a satisfied school board
official.

The lesson? Those little, unassuming, spur of the moment
gestures of interest in others often open doors of
opportunity you hadn’t even given a thought to.