Last week, I spoke in front of 3 separate groups in 2-days. There were two highlights. The first one was meeting Michael Port at the SOHO Conference.  

Some of you may be saying, “Who?”

Michael Port is a small business coach who teaches entrepreneurs and business owners how to think big. Actually, his website says that he’s the guy to call when you’re tired of thinking small. 

He wrote this awesome book called Book Yourself Solid. I read the book in one day, then downloaded and completed the workbook in 2. It’s an excellent book and I learned so much about myself and the clients I want to work with because of Michael’s book.

So, at the SOHO conference, I approached his booth to have a quick chat. I had about 20-minutes before I went on stage and Michael was taking off for a radio interview.

A lady was chatting to him, so I politely waited on the side until she took a breath (I’m Canadian, what do you expect?). As soon as the woman paused, I jumped in and said:

“I’m here to meet you, Michael. I’m Leesa Barnes.”

“Do I know you? I kind of recognize your name,” Michael said. 

“Nope, just a fan of your work.”

“You sure I don’t know you? Are you famous?”

“Not yet, but I’m close.”

Michael then asks me:

“So, what do you do?”

And here’s where I wanted to show off and let Michael know that I’m truly a fan of his work. I mean, I watched his Entrepreneurial Idol movie (which is awesome, although, I still think should’ve been podcasted in bits and pieces), so I was eager to recite my elevator speech to him.

What did I say?

“I help businesses use podcasting to fill their sales funnel and attract new clients.”

To which Michael said:

“That’s awesome.”

We chatted a bit more and then we went our separate ways. I had a bit more of a pep in my step which probably came through in my presentation because I met Michael Port.

You see, what impressed me the most about meeting Michael, wasn’t how blue his eyes are, or the fact that’s he so down to earth, nor was it the fact that he totally lived up to my expectations.

What got me was that someone I truly admire as a business person and as a successful entrepreneur is asking me if I’m famous and is questioning why my name seems familiar to him.

Is your current marketing efforts giving you or your brand the recognition you’re looking for? Is all the money you’re spending on advertising getting you or your brand the awareness you seek?

If you met your hero or idol or someone you truly admire on the street tomorrow, would that person say to you, “Your name seems familiar. Where do I know you from?” Or, would that person simply give you his or her autograph, then walk away?

How has social media positioned you? And if you’re not using social media in your marketing efforts, why not?

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