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The importance of your “X-factor”

Friday, August 10, 2012 Posted inALL,BUSINESS

Guess what? I got a puppy. He’s a shih-tzu, his name is Blue and he is the cutest little thing you will ever see. Fact.

The truth is, we weren’t looking to buy a puppy that day. It was a random decision to stop off at a pet store. All we wanted to do was “ooh” and “ahh” at the cute, little puppies. We’ve done this so many times in the past and never walked away with a puppy.

So what was different this time? Besides Blue’s obvious cuteness, why did we choose him? What made us fall in love with him? It’s pretty indescribable, but there was just something about him. An “x-factor”, if you will. His attitude and energy was different to all the other puppies we have ever seen. We couldn’t go home without him. The moment we met him, he was a part of our family.

And so it got me thinking … what is the “x-factor” of my business? What makes my products and services so irresistable that people can’t help but purchase from my store? It has to be more than just “great actions”, right? In the same way that it had to be more than just a “cute puppy”. There has to be an “x-factor”. My store has to have an attitude and energy like no other. It has to feel right.

In your business, how can you make it “feel right” for potential customers? How can you inject an attitude and energy like no other? What is your “x-factor”? Tell me all about it in the comment section below, I’m dying to know your opinions on this!

Posted inALL,BUSINESS

  • http://www.alexbeadonphotography.com Alex Beadon

    My business’ “x-factor” revolves around my attitude and energy to life: inspiration, creativity, passion, positivity, empowerment. These words are also my brand words for a reason – my business is very personal and specific to me and the way I see life, so I want my “x-factor” to be a reflection of that. I want you to be able to feel who I am when you’re at any touch point with my business – whether online or in real life – because the products and services I sell are so personal to me. I hope that by getting this across to people, it will “feel right” with and help my customers connect with me!

  • http://rociodoleophotography.blogspot.com/ Rocio DOleo

    I’m not yet where I want to be, I’m still in the process of creating my own photography business but, I’ve always seen myself as someone who can make people feel comfortable whenever they’re around me so I believe that that’s one of the things that could be part of my “X-factor”

  • http://www.reasonsstudios.ca Janet Post

    What a great question!

    I have been trying to think for a while now what makes my (brand new) photography business different. Why would people come to me instead of a more established business? What makes my photos better, or more desirable?

    I have compared my photos with other professional photographers. I think I am comparable. Is there room for me to improve? Of course. The instant I think I cannot do any better, is the day I should close my doors. My pricing is about the same.

    I go the extra mile to make my customers happy. I work hard to make my customers feel relaxed so I can capture true emotions from them and to offer them the best of me. I would not have it any other way. But so do other photographers. Nothing different there.

    I think, in all honesty, I still have to find my X-Factor. I will continue to work hard, to work on improving both technically and artistically, and to offer my clients great snaps!

  • http://www.albaofficial.com Alba

    I love your new website so much and I just had to read all the posts that I’ve been missing during the past couple of weeks! I loved the “letter from myself in the future”. I’m so happy for you being able to say that to yourself at a such young age!

    What come to this post and the question about the “x-factor”, as being a musician, I’m still searching for it and your questions and advice has truly made me think about it.

    I’ve always been into the music writing and production but the visual and performance side has been something I haven’t given much thought to. This is extremely strange to realise because I love to act and perform, but somehow I never linked that passion to my music. Now that I realize that I can combine those to, I feel like I finally know which way to go!

    I’ve started going to gigs, unlike before when I only went to my own shows(!!), and I’ve watched hours and hours of live gigs on YouTube, figuring out what makes each artist so amazing and special. I can say that I’ve studied it. With a pen and a paper!

    That has really opened my eyes and inspired me to look at myself as a performer and ask whether I’m already offering the kinda show to people that I would personally love to watch. Well guess what? No!

    But I know that I’m so much closer to my identity as an artist and once all those things come together – songs, production and performance – that will be something to watch out for! I mean, it will be pure me and a product of my personal creation and passion towards performing! It will be dangerous and x-factor material! ;)

    Your attitude inspires me so much and your photography is pure love and gratitude. Keep blogging and I would like to see new photography by you soon! If you need a model I will come running! ;-)

    Love and respect,

    Alba

  • http://www.alexbeadonphotography.com Alex Beadon

    Hi Alba!

    I was SO HAPPY to read your comment :)

    I can relate to so much of what you said – studying performers on YouTube and in real life, trying to identify what it is that makes them so special, trying to figure out how you can apply that to yourself in your own, unique way. With a pen and paper! I am just like you :) except I am studying photographs and photographers :)

    I admire you so much for being able to see what makes you special, but also see the areas that you need to improve on. I know how difficult that is. I love that you know what you want to be, what kind of show and performance you want to offer. And you know YOURSELF! Finding your “x-factor” or “purple cow” (you have to read that book! it talks about this in great detail!) is really what is going to make you STAND OUT in people’s minds and memories, and it will definitely help you maximise your success!

    At the moment I’m focusing on being the most outrageous and authentic version of myself possible. I have SO MUCH to improve on, and (like you) I am trying to identify my weak points and think, “Okay, how can I be even better in that area? what would I want to see from someone like me?”

    I have many weak points – I tend to be very “cookie cutter”, so I’m working on being less afraid of showing my true colours.

    Another weak point is that I feel as though I have lost my photography inspiration – like you said “I would like to see new photography by you soon!”. I kind of feel like I’ve lost my mojo, as I haven’t done a creative shoot in what feels like forever. So right now that’s another thing I’m working on (hint: my next creative shoot will be mermaid inspired! *woop woop*!) Admitting my problems and weaknesses has been difficult, but so KEY to being the best version of myself and the best version of my business!

    ROCK ON, Alba!
    Have a beautiful, inspiring day and THANK YOU for an amazing comment <3 You inspire me!
    xoxo