Why I care what my clients read
At some point after we’ve “met” I’m going to ask you to share one of your favorite books and how it changed or entertained you.
I love asking this question. First, for myself - because I’ve always got a book (or three) on my bedside table.
But second, because I’ve found that knowing the answer to this question helps me feel connected to people early on in the “getting to know each other” process.
Just like knowing a man’s favorite comedian gives insight into his type of humor, knowing what someone reads gives insight into others parts of their personality and what’s important to them, like spirituality, personal growth, humor, or entertainment.
Here are a few responses I’ve received from readers (skip to the bottom for an extended list):
✨ Kim loves Harry Potter - “I feel like I am a version of him as I have a scar on my forehead and believe in Magic”
✨ Cathryn loved Pussy by Mama Gena - “women’s empowerment!”
✨ Ellen’s introduction to spirituality came as a teen when she read Jonathan Livingston Seagull
The open-ended question of “what’s a book that’s changed you?” immediately tells me a lot about the people who come into my world.
It’s obviously fun and insightful, but often the answers validate that I’m attracting the right kind of person for me as a business (because I have read or am eager to read many of the books people mention!).
This practice of asking open-ended questions and observing the answers is essential to telling engaging stories.
Why?
If you want to attract more:
Customers
Readers
Press
Investors
Or anyone, anywhere... you’ll have to tell better stories.
And telling better stories starts with listening deeply to what matters to the other person.
Here’s the extended book list I’ll keep updating.
“I just finished All the Light We Cannot See. I haven't read a WWII book in a while, as they always gut me. This one did as well, and it was also so beautifully written with such compelling (both positive and negative) characters, I couldn't put it down!”
“Eat Pray Love - it opened me up to the possibility of living a life that isn't traditional and outside the box. It inspired my imagination of what's possible.”
“My latest favorite is The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It's a beautiful novel about life choices and how we can make every version of our life beautiful if we can embrace the challenges we are given without looking back with regret at the paths we didn't take. It is amazingly similar to my new book, but it's fiction.”
“The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer...especially this line…’will you disappoint another to be true to yourself’”
“The Lorax. I know it's supposed to be for kids but it has such a powerful message about the environment for every age.”
“Being Peace. It was instrumental in my 20s. I need to reread it now that I write this.”
“Recently, I loved The Choice by Eva Edith Eger. It inspired me to take ownership of my life.”
“Zen and the Art of Happiness shifted my thoughts and put on my path from corporate world to living a more connected and authentic life.”
“I am a Jon Acuff Fan - Finish, give yourself the gift of done. This is my go to when I am stuck - biggest lesson is I am the one making the rules and I get to change them.”
“The Outsider by Albert Camus, - ha ha probably a bit heavy, but I loved reading about an individual who doesn't conform to what is expected in terms of displaying his emotions. The sense that we all have a deeper inner world that we may choose not to share. :)”
