How Do You Look Naked?
By Kevin Nations Posted on Sep 11, 2009
Universally, everyone in life has a desire to ‘LOOK GOOD’.
Within that desire, there are two types of people. One type are the people who seek to look good naked – the other are people who spend their energy and efforts to cover up the fact that they DON’T look so good naked.
The approaches they each use to appeal to others are very different. What YOU can learn from these two approaches can MAKE or BREAK your business!
People who (allegedly!) don’t look so good naked do lots of things to change the representation of who they are into the apparent view. Loose clothes, vertical stripes, slenderizing belts all show as little as possible of what is ‘underneath’ but still paints as pretty a picture as one can with what’s COVERING the underneath.
People who (again allegedly!) DO look good naked take almost the opposite approach. The representations they use to ‘clothe’ themselves tend to reveal or disclose rather than cover and conceal. Their attempts to look better are usually focused on improving the core underneath and letting that ‘REPRESENT’ through the ‘cover-up’
How does that relate to your marketing? And how can you really know which fits you?
Do you have an OFFER that is seductive to your prospects or are you trying to COVER UP the lack of that offer with lots of ’stuff”?
If you’re not overwhelmed with opportunities right now in your business and you’ve been operating in your market space more than 30-60 days, then you have a SEDUCTION gap. This gap WILL NOT be overcome with better copy, lead attraction systems, social media or any of the other strategies you find promoted.
These systems only draw attention to who YOU are – and if that NAKED OFFER is not compelling – all of the ‘attraction’ strategies you’re now trying to use do not lead to conversions because – at the end of the day – people are just not that ‘into’ your Naked Offer!
Now – HERE’S the test of whether or not YOU ‘Look Great Naked’.
If you’re OVERRUN with people who will pay ANY price to work with you, you probably look pretty darn great through and through!
If people aren’t PURSUING you to engage in your service when they meet with you, you don’t have a SEDUCTIVE OFFER! No matter how much you ‘know’ that your service ‘HELPS SOMEONE’ or is designed to “CHANGE THEIR LIVES’, it is YOUR responsibility to design an offer that has them PUSHING down your door to ‘get to your stuff’.
The challenge with MANY businesses is the EXACT OPPOSITE of what they think. It’s NOT that not enough people are seeing their offers. It’s that people ARE seeing and it’s just not as SEDUCTIVE as the business owner thinks! In other words “Maybe your prospects just aren’t that into you!”. Luckily this can be FIXED and FAST!
The ‘cure’ to this is simpler than you think. Today’s task is to check your business out ‘NAKED’. Ask yourself – do you have more opportunities pursuing you than you can possibly handle? If not, its probably time to not keep working on the ‘Coverup’ but look at yourself NAKED and be open to do what it takes to become ATTRACTIVE to your PROSPECTS from the core!
-> When you comment this post, you boost the power of it’s impact immeasurably. Also, you get to share with the universe what comes up for YOU. Commenting and sharing this post will increase its impact to the WORLD but more importantly to YOU!
titfetamb
Jul 14th, 2010
Hey bro.
I am glad that was registered here.
It is assured to you it will be pleasant,news Foto
http://lisaloebhot.blogspot.com
Kim garner
Sep 28th, 2009
S.O.S I could use some help in this department in the important ways.I’ve Been taking care of the outside parts. I need some basic skill set development with a caring other who is calm and attracting good clients/people.
Kevin,thank you!
Lisa
Sep 23rd, 2009
Geez Kevin, you really know how to provoke thought, don’t you?!!
I’ve been sqeamish about body image ’stuff’ and nakedness my whole life…and when I look at it as not just a personal/body thing but as a business idea….wow!
It really points out the inner/mindset work that needs be done to be willing to fully ‘expose’ myself by being wholly transparent in my business and in my entire life. This means showing up with the courage to be vulnerable, and I believe in doing so, it shows our ‘human-ness’ to others and makes us that much more real and trustworthy. Perfect ‘bodies’ (aka ‘businesses’)are wonderful, but to show up and expose one with flaws means freedom from ‘hiding’ and total peace of mind for all…
Would you rather go to someone who claims perfection in body and business, or one who shows up baring their warts and willing to keep trying their best anyway?
Beth Flarida
Sep 13th, 2009
Hi Kevin, I love the analogy! I bet there was no one who did not open this email and then click to see what it was all about.
What I learned from your blog is that some areas of my business look good naked and others have seduction gaps.
I will get to work right away! Thanks for a great article! Beth
Marilyn Fahrner
Sep 13th, 2009
Kevin,
What a great challenge to “get real”! I thought I was naked but after reading your blog, it’s clear that I’m covering up the good stuff and have some more digging and disclosing to do…
Thanks for the wake up call!
susan kuhn frost
Sep 13th, 2009
I like this! It cuts to the core. I’m starting a new business, and doing it differently this time. I’m working pro bono with a great nonprofit, learning how to make them ravingly happy with my social media marketing consulting. I’m learning so much, we experience joy and love working together. I’ve never started a business this way before (it was more about me before). I love working this way: first find the “rave,” the superior connection, then build the business. We are partners in learning and building something great, and that feeling is contagious and compelling.
Kay
Sep 13th, 2009
Great post Kevin and interestingly you, my friend, look so much better and more “naked” in the picture on top of your page ie the naked you vs the suited, booted, corporate you of your response picture… You’ve encouraged me to get real vs corporate and it works both ways.
Thank Kevin, yours in the nude these days! Kay x
Kevin Nations
Sep 13th, 2009
Yea, Kay – My assistant Valissa is still scared by that ‘SUIT’ pic!
Francesca Frate
Sep 12th, 2009
OK Kevin, where does one start?
Do you look at the services/product you are offering?
Do you look at your marketing material or is it the way in which you speak about your product/service?
There are so many places to consider which one turns the light bulb on?
Ellen Goldman
Sep 12th, 2009
Kevin,
I love the analogy. As a wellness coach working with individuals trying to look and feel better on both the inside and out, I encourage a check in on who their authentic self really is. Only by knowing, respecting and acting on one’s core values can you end up feeling happy with yourself. Thus, no cover up needed. So true in business as well. You must believe in your product (for most of us, that’s our self), feel confident it will improve others lives and well-being, and then you can show the naked truth!
adel
Sep 12th, 2009
thanks Mr kevin nice view point
Mike
Sep 12th, 2009
Cool question Kevin!
Never thought of looking at my business in a naked way before.
Just thinking about it right now… I can see some things I have been holding back and covering up from my people.
Thanks for making me look in the mirror…
That small distinction gave be a big “ah-ha” moment.
Peace,
Mike
Kevin Nations
Sep 12th, 2009
Thanks, Mike
When you’re not afraid to confront the ‘naked truth’ about your business behind the scenes – then you’ll build it into something that looks good underneath the surface so you need far less ‘COVERUP’ to present it!
Ali Rodriguez
Sep 12th, 2009
What do you mean do I look GOOD naked? – Ha, allow me to show you my intellectual cleavage, and then you tell me:
http://www.visionforsuccess.biz/resources/articles/cleavage-in-the-boardroom
So what do you say, Kevin?
Kim
Sep 13th, 2009
HA! That was funny…thanks for the laugh!
Keith deBolt
Sep 12th, 2009
Kevin-
A great subject line! I had to laugh out loud….
Love your positive and challenge-laden writing style. You obviously can’t keep from thinking big!
Keith
Brennan Kingsland
Sep 12th, 2009
Thanks, Kevin!
Time to take a long, hard look at our “naked” offer.
Been concentrating too hard on copy, etc.
Have a great day!
Your friend,
Brennan
Kevin Nations
Sep 12th, 2009
Thanks Brennan
Heidi Howes
Sep 12th, 2009
Thanks so much, Kevin, I am slowly chifting perspectives through your wonderful wisdom!
Mari Smith
Sep 12th, 2009
haha – Kevin, your email subject line has to be one of the best I’ve seen… given I knew it was from you of course, ahem!!
“Mari do you look good Naked?” …. you crack me up. I love how your brain works. Superb post, my friend!!
Kevin Nations
Sep 12th, 2009
An honor to have you weigh in here my friend!
Michelle Price
Sep 11th, 2009
Well, my brother from another mother (LOL! Inside joke) you certainly still have a way of painting pictures with words…love the analogy.
Keep stirrin’ the pot and poking us with hot sticks
Only, naked is really pronounced “nay-shid” says my just turned 4-year old granddaughter.
Jacqueline Johns- Your Happy Life Mentor
Sep 11th, 2009
Ok, ok…….I’m asking the question we all want to know.
How do we seduce our clients???????
Dr. Cindy Brown
Sep 11th, 2009
Hi Kevin: -)
Nice post and discussion here I totally agree and see this happening so often in Business and in Relationship and dating. I teach this similar concept to my clients who are dating and courting relationships and in my Get Naked with Dr. Cindy workshops.
When we are marketing our business we are propositioning our public to find interest in us. And when we block this business coming towards us, cover it up, disguise it, unconsciously are not aware of blocking it, we don’t get any dates…..oh I mean any business!
Thanks for the great info always!
xo
Debbie LaChusa
Sep 11th, 2009
Kevin,
You are SO right on with message. Thanks for stating it in way that is so clear, anyone can’t help but GET the message. It’s definitely NOT about covering things up or piling things on to convince people you’re worth it.
It’s about stripping everything away and making sure at the core we have a powerful offer that absolutely changes lives. And having total confidence in that.
Thanks for sharing and giving all of us business owners some important things to ponder!
Debbie
Kay Fontana
Sep 11th, 2009
Kevin…you are a genius! Your analogy really hit it in the ballpark, but of course you always do. It was a very provocative and insightful post, and one of which everyone in business should contemplate. I would love for you to expand on this topic. Thank you!
Kay, The Grandcoach
http://www.CoachingForQuality.com
CoachDeb
Sep 11th, 2009
ok – you’ve convinced me
you should be a guest writer for
http://TribalSeduction.com blog!
Kevin Nations
Sep 12th, 2009
Hey Deb! I’d much rather write about SEDUCTION than PURSUIT (the norm for so many business owners)!
I hope people are smart enough to click the link above and check YOUR blog out too!
Rodney Washington
Sep 11th, 2009
I get the message Kevin and I hear you loud and clear so what is the cure?
Every business owner especially in this economy wants to get past all of the messages from marketing experts telling us basically the same thing as you’ve just shared in this blog post. So I ask the question again Kevin. What is the cure?
In other words, I hear the sizzle, I smell the steak, I just don’t see it. I’m hungry (starving actually) and this blog post just leaves me frustrated.
Tell us something more than “just be seductive to your audience” How?
Especially when all you want to be is just yourself and hope that that’s enough.
Your thoughts…
Kevin Nations
Sep 12th, 2009
Hear you LOUD and CLEAR Rodney! Gonna be sharing a series of posts soon to address just this! AND – MANY times the ‘extra pounds’ that a business owner has put on is the need to serve their own ego in their communication.
In other words they CAN help people but they’ve got so many communications strategies in place that serve their ego – that it’s hard to be heard by their prospects.
The HOW is coming bro. Stay tuned! Interestingly enough, the paradox is that the HOW is more about what you GET RID OF than WHAT YOU ADD to your ’schtick’!
Amethyst Wyldfyre
Sep 11th, 2009
Transparency in everything we do is going to be an increasingly important aspect in how we relate to the world. As we all begin to open up further to our multidimensional capacities we’ll automatically be able to “see through” the cover ups that people & businesses use to try to hide inauthenticity in their offers and the inability to make a full commitment to their high mission and soul’s purpose. No amount of good writing, design or promotion can conceal a lack of integrity and energetic alignment with what you are truly here to do and who you are truly here to serve. Often these “defenses” can be energetically based and quite fortunately easily dissolved and transcended with the right facilitator – thereby freeing up the energy for more productive & creative pursuits and a higher level of service to the clients. Thanks for the provocative post Kevin!
Hazel Palache
Sep 11th, 2009
Great post. Wonderful analogy. I agree the more open and authentic we are the more people want to connect and do business with us.
Joy and Blessings
Hazel
Dinneen Diette
Sep 11th, 2009
Very intriguing post and definitely from an angle I never saw before!!
As I help people look and feel good naked (well, clothed actually but naked too) it definitely caught my attention and made me look at myself and my business from a different angle too (I could really make a few butt jokes here…but I’ll spare you…).
I know that what I offer will make my potential customers feel better, look better, and live better (and yes, I know we hear/see it all the time with marketing material but it IS true….their LIVES better). But I see I’m not “seducing” them enough.
Now just not sure how to look at myself naked — so I CAN become more attractive to my prospects. Would love a little more insight on HOW to do that.
Thanks for a post that really made me stop & think — and take a look at myself in the mirror naked
Dinneen
http://www.EatWithoutGuilt.com
Malika Duke
Sep 11th, 2009
Kevin, this is a great analogy about being transparent…”naked” as you call it. I love the way you highlight the cover-ups that some of us use is our business.
Of course, the question becomes, “How do I look better naked?”
Malika
Kevin Nations
Sep 12th, 2009
“Naked” revelation here Malika – I’m on a new quest to reveal just that.
Didn’t think I would start to EXPOSE a problem so vicerally just to leave you guys in pain did you
Diana
Sep 11th, 2009
I read a lot of marketing info, and this is a first. For me, it’s about being too modest in how I present, and modesty isn’t exciting. This is a great eye opener. Thank you!
Shawn Driscoll
Sep 11th, 2009
Been trying to shape things up so my biz looks good from all angles. Love the clarity around having a seductive offer being more important than 100’s of attraction marketing actions. Totally agree! It’s like the 6 pack abs of your biz! Gotta go do more crunches….
Cindy Gallo
Sep 11th, 2009
GREAT GREAT blog, Kevin!! All the words flow so well together!! Awesome!!
Annette Huygens-Tholen
Sep 11th, 2009
Powerful distinction to being authentic in selling yourself. Thanks Kevin.
Really giving me something to think about.
giulietta nardone
Sep 11th, 2009
Kevin,
Very “revealing” post! I agree that the more we expose our inner fabulista, the more others will want to work with us. It’s a courage thing for sure. Thx!
Giulietta, Inspirational Rebel
http://www.giuliettathemuse.com
BJ
Sep 11th, 2009
Hey Kevin,
The last sentence (in the last paragraph) brought the whole message home. Rock On!
BJ
Tanya Smith
Sep 11th, 2009
Hi Kevin,
Another excellent post. I think a lot of the ‘covering up’ is to do with fear as well – sometimes we fear that our offer isn’t good enough so we undervalue it unconsciously, and then try and make up for this with lots of frantic covering-up activities. Maybe also we fear the fact that we may need to let go of what we thought was a great idea, even though our market is telling us otherwise! Time to be brave and look at our businesses dimples, wrinkles ‘n all !
Tanya Smith http://www.tolovesuccess.com
Julie Ann
Sep 11th, 2009
GREAT post – and laser perspective – Kevin!
As always, your genius and insight shines through …
Your Grateful BTB/MMinder,
Julie Ann
Kevin Nations
Sep 12th, 2009
HEY Julie Ann – Always GREAT to see you commenting and sharing!
Sherrie Rose (The Love Linguist)
Sep 11th, 2009
Naked… since my business has to do in part with my clients getting naked, I think transparency is important.
The setting of public and private (and some might add personal) is the determining factor of your transparency.
I look good naked (is it okay to say that?) and I believe my business looks good naked, too!
Sherrie Rose
The Love Linguist
Heather Stewart
Sep 11th, 2009
I love this comparison! It’s definitely time to “check [how my] business [looks] ‘NAKED’…and …[time to] look at [my]self NAKED and be open to do what it takes to become ATTRACTIVE to [my] PROSPECTS from the core!”
thanks for a great post!
Kevin Nations
Sep 12th, 2009
Isn’t it amazing Heather how much simpler we can ‘CLOTHE’ ourselves personally AND professionally once we look great ‘underneath it all’ – THANKS for your comment.
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Paul Klein
Sep 11th, 2009
Hey Kevin,
Very honest and transparent post regarding how a business can appear to your customers. Using somewhat provocative approach to an everyday situation will help people see things in a new light!
Thanks for your informative and thought-provoking posts!
Paul Klein