Profit by Praising–with Metaphors!

Who doesn’t love a compliment!   Being called a great pro in your field is always appreciated, but being called the “LeBron James of your field” puts an even bigger smile on your face.  Mitch Jackson, leading lawyer and legal consultant, for whom I developed the metaphor that helped tip a jury in his favor to win a million dollar negligence case, was thrilled as punch when he was called the “Elon Musk” of lawyers.  In fact, he took it one step further and used that metaphor label as part of his business promotion.  What he did you could do as well to intrigue prospects to call for more information and potential business

Leverage the Compliment

In a promotional post on his site, visitors will find the following:

Earlier today a member of my audience called me  the “Elon Musk of lawyers.” Now, I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing but like him or hate him, the guy knows how to shake things up, stand out above all the noise, and create

new opportunities.

If you’re a new lawyer trying to figure things out, I’d like to help you position yourself to be the sparkling new Tesla at the firm instead of an old AMC Gremlin afterthought. When you need answers, solutions and even a bit of coaching, you’ll have the legal version of Elon looking over your shoulder to help.

I love the analogy Mitch added to build out the original metaphor.

Get Your Own “Elon Musk”

Has a client ever called you the “X” of your field?  If not, can you approach a good client and ask him/her what they would call you as the pro in your field.  Then, use that metaphor in your promotional copy.

For example, Erica Dhawan, author of “Digital Body Language” was called the “Oprah of Management Ideas” by Thinkers50. No surprise, that metaphor is now prominently featured on her Speaking page.

Give an “Elon Musk”

Put a smile on a client’s face and deepen a relationship, or, make the day for an employee or friend by gifting them with a suitable metaphor to describe their accomplishments. 

Just think what trait you want to highlight and then select an appropriate metaphorical figure, one that your recipient would know. For example, if you want to praise your webmaster for creativity, you might call him “the Picasso of web design.” If a client wins a big competitive construction contract, “the Phil Mickelson of builders” could be a good choice (assuming your client follows golf).

Here is a list of names with positive associations to start your thinking:  Wonder Woman, Warren Buffet, Oprah, LeBron James, Coco Chanel, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Florence Nightingale, Richard Branson, Einstein, Houdini, Madame Curie, Serena Williams, J.K. Rowling Phil Mickelson, Simone Biles, Martha Stewart, John Cleese, Shakespeare, Aretha Franklin, Ken Burns, George Washington.

Remember…

• Identify the trait or talent you want to highlight (performance, creativity, caring, intelligence, problem solver, etc.)
• Select an appropriate figure, real or fictional, but well known to the person receiving the compliment
• Put those two together and–voila!–you have your compliment

Complimenting with metaphors is a no-cost, high-value way to praise others. They feel good. You feel good and  everryone has a nicer day for it.

Anne Miller

Make What You Say Pay! – with Metaphors

Related post: “Killer Intros“

Salesperson or “Racehorse in sales?”  Training  pro or a “dopamine injection” for you? How would you like to be described? Who would you want to read about?

When it comes to getting new business or new jobs, referrals and introductions are the way to go.  What someone says about you, or what you say about someone else, frames that person in the mind’s eye of the reader or listener–or not. Read more.

Need a metaphor to nail your point, clarify your message, position you vs. competition or neutralize an objection? Contact me today at amiller@annemiller.com

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