With marketing and business development, it’s all too easy to focus only on the BIG issues. However, small things can make a massive difference and totally change how people think about us.

I decided to write this quick post, after receiving the comment below from one of my readers, Joni Mueller. Here’s what Joni said:

Excellent article and excellent case study. I also like the little subtleties on your web site. For example, I’ve never seen anyone invite me to “join” them on Twitter, it’s always follow me or find me. “Join” me implies there will be a two-way interaction. That’s great. Glad I stumbled onto this site from Twitter.

One small word

A marketing professional knows there’s a massive difference between the phrase ‘join me’ and the phrase “follow me.” By changing just one word in that phrase, you dramatically change the meaning of the phrase.  Asking someone to follow you sounds incredibly arrogant!  It suggests you are referring to your readers as if they are fans.

Pop stars, movie stars and professional sportspeople have followers / fans – not people like you and me.

We have friends and contacts. People don’t follow us, they join us.