How to Get Full Credit

The other day I saw an egg timer that looks like an owl.
My first thought was. “That’s not for me.”
My second thought was. Why isn’t that for me?
Here’s the theory I came up with.
When you buy a novelty item that item tells two stories.
In the case of the egg timer that looked like an owl it told these two stories.
Story 1:
The person buying this egg timer didn’t buy it for it’s utility, but for the novelty of it looking like an owl.
Story 2:
The person buying this egg timer bought this egg timer because it’s superior quality and great value.
Now, which of these stories are you most likely to believe?
In my case it was the first story. The story that buyers of this egg timer bought it because of it’s novelty, and not utility.
Having thought about this for a long five minutes, I realized that’s the same reason I don’t buy branded clothes.
I feel that clothes with logos and prints also tell two stories.
The first story is that I wear that piece of apparel because of the logo or brand on it.
The second story is that I wear that piece of apparel because its quality, fit, and design is superior.
The thing is, when I wear apparel with logos, my audience will most likely buy the first story.
They will think, I wear that piece of apparel because of the logo on it. They don't buy the second story that it was the perfect item for my outfit that day.
And here’s my problem with that.
I do not get full credit for the effort i put into sourcing that item. Whether it be an egg timer or a v-neck sweater.
I does not matter how careful you are with matching colors and dress code for your outfit, if any of the items got a logo. Because then, people you meet will only see the logo, and not the effort behind the outfit.
So how do you get your audience to recognize the effort you put into your outfit every time?
You avoid logos on all the pieces of apparel in your outfit.
Now your audience won’t be able to buy the fist story, that your outfit is biassed by the logos and brands you wear.
Instead, you’re attributed with all the effort that went into creating that outfit.
So if you want to get full credit for your effort, don’t by owl egg timers and never wear clothes with logos.
You can learn which apparel items I like and suggest. Just my Facebook group, Effective and Sustainable style:
/ 219415032885845
That's also where you can interact with me directly.
Get feedback, tips, and inspiration from other members,
And get access to all my content 14 days before I release it anywhere else on the internet.
I'm john Ballmore, a style coach for professional communicators.
I'll see you in the next one.