One of the most powerful ways to communicate a message across to different publics may not always be advertising or marketing. In some of the more successful public relations campaigns, word of mouth was the way that the campaign’s message got passed around. It’s amazing to see the impact of what a person can say about an organization or another individual to a group of people. But, what happens when the message being passed around is not true? What if this “hear-say” is affecting your reputation?
In whatever business, organization, or athletic team you are in, you have to be aware of what is being said about you. Sometimes people will form an opinion of you– even if they have never met you– based on what someone has told them. There are a handful of people that will change their opinion when they meet you, yet some will always carry that first impression that they got from you.
I have seen a lot of this happen especially in track and field. It’s amazing what happens when the recruiting process comes, and the opinions come flying out. For example, what happens if a person close to the unversity tells a coach “don’t recruit this person because they are hard to work with” or “this person has academic issues, personality issues, family issues, etc.”– the list can go on and on and on. It’s amazing to see what people can say about someone that they don’t even know to try to get what they want out of it. You have to see what this person passing along this message would either gain or lose with this situation.
It all goes back to looking at the source. Sometimes these things that are being said are true– but what if they are not– or even quite the opposite. If the “hear-say” is proven wrong, then you really have to look at the person or people that were talking about it. What does this say about them? They have to be aware of the impact that it would have on their reputation among their peers and others involved in the athletic circle. You also have to look at the people who are accepting what is being said– if they are willing to believe something that is negative, without giving you a chance to prove them wrong– there isn’t much that you can do about it.
What can you do to protect yourself from negative “hear-say”? Well, you have to have your own outlet to communicate to the members of the athletic audience group that you want to reach. These members could include other athletes, coaches, organizations, fans, and media to name a few. Having your own web site or blog will allow you to control what is being said as well as showing the real you to everyone. You got to be your own salesperson to overcome what others may be saying about you– no one knows you better than yourself. 😀
It’s best to form your own opinion first of the individual– and then make your own judgement. 😀
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