I don’t read much about television personalities or keep up with what they’re all up to, so this subject might have been discussed and I just missed it.
But I think those tv ads that NBC did for the late night shows -- you know, during the "late night wars" a few years ago, when all the hosting transitions were going on -- spelled disaster for both Jay and Conan.
Do you remember them?
Jay was walking.
Conan jogged down the beach.
Then Jimmy, he was running at top speed!
I don’t know about you, but... Based on those ads alone, who would you rather watch?
Don’t you want to watch the one with energy? The one with passion and excitement?
The one who is so freakin’ excited to be there that he’s bolting for the stage?
Jimmy Fallon is excitement, personified!
Don't get me wrong. I really like Conan.
But I LOVE Jimmy Fallon.
He’s just bursting with energy and enthusiasm. And that is exciting.
That is contagious.
That is FUN.
In my line of work, I make a lot of design presentations.
Sometimes they're made face-to-face; sometimes in an email; sometimes on the phone; sometimes in a text. Everything from the overall design concept to what type of exhaust fan we should use in the master bath. I’m always trying to convince someone of something.
What have I learned from all these presentations?
That if I’m excited, if I’m energetic, if I’m bursting to share my ideas, clients...
They’ll usually like them too.
◆ Videos -- #1: Jimmy Fallon's SNL Audition / #2: Lip Sync-Off w/Jimmy Fallon & John Krasinski
If my arms are waving, and my eyes are wide and lit up, and I’m genuinely pleased and exuberant and hopeful and a little nervous and sweaty (which I usually am if I’m presenting) then they know I put my love into their project.
And even if they don’t like the idea(s), they’ll at least know, at least FEEL like I tried, like I put my all into it.
That’s what they want. That’s what they’re paying for. Even if it's an idea that's hard for them to swallow. You know, something unexpected, something creative.
Energy, excitement, enthusiasm - they're all contagious. Try putting them to work for you the next time you need to sell an idea.
It works. Just ask Jimmy Fallon.
Want to see what's next? How do you follow that energy, passion, and enthusiasm? Click HERE.