Dating, Lying and a New Podcast

Back when I was divorced, 38, and living in L.A., people gave me a lot of online dating advice:

Lie and say you're under 35. 

Get professional photographs taken (or post photos from like, last century).

Don't say you're looking for a commitment. 

As I filled in my OkCupid profile, my finger hovered over the birthday year drop down menu.

Should I lie?

It could mean the difference between attracting 150 potential partners versus TWO. 

Cut to the present...My husband Jim and I met on OkCupid. We've been happily married for 10 years.

And...I didn't lie about my age.

I also didn't meet his height requirement,

or his geographical preference.

He was a dad with two kids (yikes), 

and didn't meet my geographical preference.

We weren't what the other was looking for, but found an unexpected fit that was more remarkable than either of us imagined.

Branding and marketing is like online dating. 

But there's a lot of conventional wisdom that's tempting to listen to.

People tell you you're too old, too inexperienced, too much, not enough.

People tell you don't get too personal, or hide certain parts of yourself to get the gig.

People tell you you have to play the game to beat the algorithms to get more followers.

Just like dating, I don't buy into any of this ridiculous conventional wisdom. 

In love and in business, I've discovered it pays off better to own your difference than pretend to fit a mold. 

In my new podcast interview on Coach the Coach, I share some stories and suggestions on how to use personal storytelling to bring out the uniqueness of your brand. 

You can listen to it here – and please share it with a business buddy.