I’ve never seen the CBS TV show, “Person of Interest.” However I understand that the main characters are crime fighters who home in on a Person of Interest who has acted in a way that puts them front and center on their radar as an individual who is likely to commit a future crime.

Did you catch that? The Person of Interest acted in a way that put them front and center. Their behavior, they way they operate in the world, their actions, but make them a Person of Interest, a person worthy of being aware of.

So I ask you, wouldn’t you love to be a Person of Interest (in a positive way, of course!) in the mind of your potential clients?

If so, are you doing things to be a Person of Interest in the minds of others? How are you putting “you” into your business? The fact is that it takes effort and commitment to be interesting and build the reputation you want. No marketing system or big wiz bang coaching program is going to help you get more clients if you are not behaving and operating in a way that makes you interesting, which is arguably the first step to being memorable and ultimately trustworthy. Being interesting is up to you. What’s usually missing from service-based businesses is the true spirit of the business owner. So here are just a few things that you can do to be a Person of Interest through your actions and bring more “you” into your business.

1. Show interest in others.

People like people who are interested in them. Don’t push your card and buttoned up elevator speech in front of people until you are asked to. Be interested in serving others first. Do this by asking questions. What part of town do you live in? Do you have any animals? What books have you read lately? Seen any good movies? And so forth.

2. Be present.

Being present and in the moment is a huge topic but here is one thing think about: Eye contact. If you are texting or looking around the room, TV or are otherwise distracted, you’re not being present with those you are supposedly in conversation with. Listen. Respond.

3. Remember this acronym: W.A.I.T.

It means this: Why Am I Talking? Have you ever been in a “conversation” with someone and they won’t stop talking? I think that comes from wanting to be perceived as interesting, intelligent or an expert, or maybe they are just nervous. Spend time listening. People will love the attention and feel that they had a great interaction with you.

4. Have integrity

Do what you say you will do. If you commit to a phone call, be there ready for the call. If you say you’ll get back with someone by a certain time, do it. If you find you can’t make a deadline, be upfront about it and don’t beat around the bush about it or worse, ignore it and hope it will go away.

5. Be adventurous.

Pick up a magazine you would normally never read or attend an event outside of your industry. Pick up a new skill – take an art class, guitar lesson, computer course, whatever. Shop in a new store. Wear a color you don’t normally wear. The point is, when you add adventure into your life, you have interesting stories to share and can relate to others on a whole new level.

6. Be passionate.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be passionate about everything you do. I’m pretty confident that I’ll ever be passionate about laundry. But what I do think is possible is to bring passion to the things you do. When you bring passion, you’re naturally a more interesting person. You notice new things – like folding laundry actually gives you moment to breathe. Even things that you consider very difficult like attending your husband’s company’s Holiday party could actually be fun. (Just sayin’. )

7. Show your style.

What you look like is big part of being interesting. Show your point of view through your style. I’m working on this right now myself by working with various stylists and beauty experts. How you show up in the world makes a statement and want to be sure you are expressing the right image.

8. Be vulnerable.

Nobody knows it all. Everyone has obstacles to overcome. Everyone has a story. When you share your vulnerability, you become “real” in the eyes of others. People will actually want to be around you because you are down to earth. You are interesting because of your story and willingness to share the good, bad and the ugly.

Here’s the bottom line: Being interesting is closely tied to being interested. Interested in others and interested in self-exploration. It’s about who you are being in the world.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on how to be interesting. Please share below!

© 2013 Meredith Liepelt, Rich Life Marketing

Meredith Liepelt, CEO of Rich Life Marketing, offers a free report called “101 Ways to Attract Ideal Clients, Build Your List and Raise Your Profile,” which can be downloaded immediately at www.RisingStarPublicity.com.

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