How Do You Choose Who To Buy From?

Last week, I shared how we selected a real estate agent to list our home with.  It wasn’t easy because I know over 20 agents and didn’t want to slight any of them, so we went with a different strategy.

I know one of those agents felt slighted.  I spoke to a few of them after the fact and even then, they could not explain to me why they would have been a better choice in agents.

This is a challenge that I want to present to you.

Forgive me as I ramble a bit in what I share with you..

I make my money connecting people and building relationships.

Most of the connections and relationships do not result in any immediate financial pay off.

I’m good with that.

I work for the top radio company in town, Federated Media.  I work for the station with the largest audience, WOWO. I get to sell advertising campaigns to business people who want to reach our listeners and invite our listeners to  spend their money with them.  Besides the radio commercials, I also have plenty of additional options with our sister company Federated Interactive which does nearly everything web related.

The challenge that I have, as does everyone else that sells stuff is setting yourself apart from the rest of the pack.  There are plenty of advertising options in Fort Wayne, some are okay, some are good, some are a rip off.

I set myself apart from other advertising and marketing folks by being myself.  By offering the wisdom and knowledge I’ve learned over the past couple of decades and giving it away.

Yeah, that’s right, the advice is free.  And it’s worth much, much more.

I do not want to sell to everyone.  I enter into agreements with clients only if I believe we can help them.  They “hire me” to do what is best for them in exchange for the dollars they give me to work with.  If they are not interested in working for their best interests, then I really don’t want to work with them.

I also have standards and values that I will abide by.  I have my reputation and integrity to protect and I avoid anything or anyone that would compromise those standards.  Sure, I’ve been fooled a couple of times, but those businesses are no longer around.

So, back to the question, how do you choose who to buy from?  It it the person who is looking out for your best interests, with the knowledge, wisdom and standards to be trusted or is it the person who just wants to make a sale?