Presence
Consider your outward image for the moment. The clothes you wear, the shoes you slip on, and the general condition of your person speaks. Are you a professional? Are you a laborer? Are you well organized? Are you walking chaos? Those that you come in contact with will draw conclusions about who you are before you ever speak a word. Take a look at the image to the right. What does this man say for himself before the conversation takes place?
Your Storefront’s Presence
Now consider the image of your business. Take the storefront for example. Are the showcases properly lit? Check. Are the floors clean? Check. Are items organized and easy to find? Check. Of course there is more to it than that however, the illustration at hand is that you have a proper storefront. Now ask yourself, “What is my goal in having a proper storefront?”. The answer is quite clear.
Your Virtual Presence
Online presence, while it seems innocuous means more than you may think. The 90’s brought us the industrial dawn of the internet. Y2K solidified that and the transition from “internet for fun” and “internet for utility” began. 2010 came and left us with “internet for learning” and “internet for doing“. All the while, a generation grew. They are now “The Digital Natives“. The Digital Native is prone to research while eating breakfast. How to make a 63 watt solar panel and the reviews on the service you provide are digested with their morning pancakes. All from the smart phone, mostly from the search engine and in part from reviews that other people have left in response to the service you gave them.
Reality Check
Is your website updated? Does it trend with modern design? Does the photography look like it was done in a photoshoot or does it look like it was taken with a late 80’s Polaroid camera. Are your YELP, Google, Bing and the slew of other places that offer reviews looking good or do they lack? Are you theboss@yourcompanynamehere.com or are you theguy.withthestandat.thefleamarket@hotmail.com? It all says something, good or bad. Look in the digital mirror. Does it look good or is it time to head to the barber?