Will You Know What To Do?
Most people suck at creative problem solving. What about you?
In today's edition of Burke's Bits:
Are You - Resourceful?
Copy Tip
Social Selling Tip
From the Research Files
Pun of the Day
================================
Resourcefulness
aka scrappy, inventive, creative problem solver
the ability to find quick and clever ways to solve problems and overcome difficulties.
It begins with having an open mind and a mindset of "Yes, it can be done". Then identifying the materials and tools available to you. From there, taking those materials and tools and then taking action.
Here are a few things truly resourceful people do.
1. They bend the rules.
Rules exist for a reason. So I'm not saying to break the rules. I am saying that when you're willing to bend them you'll see a different way to apply that rule to a problem.
2. They look for help.
Resourceful people recognize they need help. They're open to collaboration and cooperation. Look for people who will benefit from helping you. Most people will be happy to cooperate or collaborate when they see it benefits them.
3. They watch how something works or doesn't work.
Human behavior doesn't change. People don't like to work hard to purchase a product or service. If you can't remove obstacles can you make them more appealing? Long line in a store? Add a magazine rack. Have multiple upsells? Change up the experience between straight text, video, and fun images.
4. They adapt and turn challenges into advantages.
If you're coming up with a creative solution there's no map to follow. It doesn't mean there aren't examples to take inspiration from. If you can't work at home - take your laptop to the coffee shop...if you're a consultant in a specific niche then set up shop/bring your laptop to those spaces your ideal customer hangs out.
5. They ask better questions.
The problem needs a solution - what else can be used to solve it? Who is available to help? How else can that screwdriver be used? What caused the problem - can it be reverse engineered?
6. They are persistent.
Just because the first solution didn't work, what did you learn from trying? Now try something else.
Some examples:
When the power went out at my house we used the grill to cook dinner.
Run out of coffee filters? Use a piece of paper towel.
Use old wash buckets to plant a container garden.
Want compost material? Ask neighbors to bring their leaves and organic garbage to your house and add to your compost pile.
Barter your skill in exchange for the service or product you want.
My favorite example is the Apollo 13 mission. If you haven't seen the movie - you're in for a treat.
The astronauts were in space and close to the moon. An oxygen tank exploded in the Service Module, making a moon landing impossible. The astronauts moved to the Lunar Module to save power that would be needed later for re-entry.
The Lunar Module was designed for two people for a 36-hour period...not three astronauts for 96 hours. They quickly discovered carbon dioxide building up fast, putting their lives in extreme danger. To fix this, they had to change the circular CO2 scrubbers in the Lunar Module for clean ones.
The problem: they didn’t have a spare…they did have square CO2 scrubbers from the Command Module.
The Crew Systems Division on Earth was charged to find a solution that used parts available on the Lunar Module.
The team found a solution by using random parts from the offices: an improvised adapter built from a flight manual cover, suit pants, and socks.
The solution was transmitted to the astronauts to assemble this “mailbox” rig — as they called it. Now the astronauts were working against the clock and trying to survive the effects of the poisonous gas that was close to asphyxiating them while dealing with the extreme cold of space that had invaded the Module.
They survived - barely. And because of the resourcefulness of the team on Earth they landed and lived to spend another day with their families.
What About You?
Do you consider yourself to be resourceful?
If so, what does that look like? What do you think when presented with a problem that others consider insurmountable?
Is that thinking helpful to you? If not, how can you change it?
=============================
Copy Tip
Be an enthusiastic, unapologetic advocate for the product or service you're writing about.
It means being bold. Address the objections of your ideal buyer. Call out their fear and show them how your product/service addresses that fear.
It means writing in a way that grabs their attention.
It doesn't mean being warm and fuzzy. You can do that later in the copy if you need to.
Not in the beginning though. It's imperative that you get their attention so they will read the next line ... and then the next.
The only way you can do it is to be bold.
Go Forth and Be Bold - you'll see results.
=============================
Social Selling Tip
Don't cold pitch anything using Direct Messages.
Nothing. Zip. Nada.
Just - Don't.
DM's, PM's, InMail, or SMS.
Cold = they don't know you.
What about bots?
Bots respond to people who have asked a question - therefore, it's not cold.
What about they asked in a group and I have the answer?
Answer in the group. Ask if they're available for a chat in DM.
I've been having success with cold DMs!
When I hear this I think - that's likely because you spam 1,000 people to get 1 sale.
If I'm wrong - tell me. If I don't hear from you then I know I'm right.
=============================
From the Research Files
aka random bits of info you may or may not be able to use in your life
Mug Cake - no milk, no egg
6 tbsp white flour
2-3 tbsp granulated sweetener of choice aka sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 tbsp coconut/veggie oil, butter, or mashed banana
3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
put it all in a coffee mug and mix thoroughly
microwave for 1 minute of 1:30 minutes if you have a low wattage microwavee
it's done if there's no moisture on top and it's springy
Frosting/Topping Ideas
Packaged frosting.
Melted peanut butter.
Ice cream.
Fresh berries & whipped cream.
Maple syrup and butter.
Powdered sugar.
Shavings from a chocolate or heath bar.
=============================
Pun of the Day
Light travels faster than sound.
That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
With Gratitude --
Charlene Burke
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning."
- Albert Einstein