A coffee chat in Charlotte flipped how I handle partnership intros

Honestly, I was meeting a potential partner at a cafe downtown about six months ago. He stopped me mid-pitch and said, 'Just tell me one thing your agency does that no one else will.' Tbh, I froze for a second because my usual spiel lists five services. I just said, 'We guarantee a 48-hour content turnaround, no exceptions.' Ngl, that single specific promise got us the contract. How do you guys start those first talks now?

3 comments

3 Comments

ryan_ellis1mo ago

What's the one thing you'd bet your business on? I lead with that now, not a list.

campbell.tara1mo ago

Ever notice how we're trained to give a full menu of options instead of the one best dish? That coffee chat story hits home, and like @ryan_ellis said, leading with your strongest bet cuts through the noise. I see it everywhere now, from how my kid's teacher explains a project to how my mechanic describes a repair. People just want the one clear, solid thing they can count on.

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the_max1mo ago

Exactly! It's like we're scared to be wrong so we hide behind choices. But most people are just looking for a clear answer from someone who seems sure. Giving one strong option builds way more trust than a confusing list.