Are we strange?...

Maybe I'm imagining this, but here's a problem or hurdle creative entrepreneurs face... Are we 'strange?'

I feel as if I'm 'strange' all the time -- and maybe, in my case, I AM!

But, here's my point: When you take your ideas to people in the 'real' world, there's a good chance the real world will see you as strange.

New ideas are 'strange' or unusual, by definition. Challenging the status quo -- and people don't generally like change -- especially when it comes from a stranger out of left field.

How have you dealt with that hurdle? Or, has being 'strange' STOPPED you from moving foward with some of your ideas + plans?

How do you cope with being seen as 'strange?'

Here's a very MINOR example of what I mean... I can remember once I was trying to get a web designer to understand what a ONE-page, scroll-down, long copy WEBSITE is. When he FINALLY understood, he turned to me and said, "but that wouldn't be a proper website." I'm SURE he thought I was the strangest person on earth.

Any thoughts on this? It's a real hang up with me -- finding people who are OPEN to new ideas. Ideas that are obvious to you and me -- but not 'obvious' in the 'real world.'

I'd be curious to see how some of you have handled this issue -- or maybe some of you don't see it as an issue at all.

-- TW

[Ankesh]

Thanks TW.

2 things you can do:

1. Surround yourself with people you know think differently - people who never think "this can't be done" - but automatically think "how can this be done." Take your ideas to them first.

2. While discussing your ideas with everyone else, create a build up. For eg: telling them to create a one page website is a big jump. Instead, first show them a long direct mail salesletter. Tell them how well it did. Discuss how you think that websites provide a similar platform. And then ask if they can put up a webpage that is similar to those long salesletters.

People think we are strange because they haven't followed our thought process. And they can't make the jump.

It's very frustrating sometimes. Going to people with ideas + methods that you KNOW will help them (but that are not 'normal'), and being treated like I'm (basically) crazy or a weirdo -- and escorted out of the office in a straight jacket.

Makes you feel like frikin' Galileo or something.

And, the more you try to help them, the more they throw you in the dumpster.

It's not so much that they think it CAN'T be done -- more like they think it SHOULDN'T be done (because it's too 'strange' -- strange to the mainstream, but COMPLETELY NORMAL to wise people, like on this forum). It's even hard to get some people to at least TEST things.

-- TW

[Ankesh]

You're a good marketer TW - so I'm sure you know a lot about overcoming objections.

How to overcome objections?

1. Several tools you can use:

i. Provide a lot of social proof.
ii. Case studies.
iii. Empirical evidence.
iv. Parallels from other industries.
v. Metaphors and stories.
vi. Demonstration.

2. Start with a story that gets people to be a bit more open minded.

The story I use to start most of my presentations goes like this:

A [university professor] went to visit a famous Zen
master. While the master quietly served tea, the
professor talked about Zen.

The master poured the visitor's cup to the brim,
and then kept pouring.

The professor watched the overflowing cup until he
could no longer restrain himself. "It's overfull!
No more will go in!" the professor blurted.

"You are like this cup," the master replied, "You
are full of ideas. You come and ask for teaching,
but your cup is full; I can't put anything in.
Before I can teach you, you'll have to empty your
cup."

So here is the format that works for me in persuading people on some novel idea that they may find strange:

1. Start with the zen teacher story
2. Build up: tell them that what you will tell them next will require them to keep an open mind
3. Reveal your main idea (in step-by-step manner if possible)
4. Give a reason why - why will your idea work? (Case studies / empirical evidence)
5. Why is your idea better? (Very important) (Stories / demonstrations / comparisons)
6. Overcome other objections *before* they arise
7. Ask for action / committment

That's TWICE in the past 3 days that I've heard that same 'teacup' story -- and I had never heard it before then! Cosmic coincidence? No! Probably a case of: when the student is ready, the teacher will appear!

Thanks again!

-- TW