HOW TO BE INTERESTING: THE ART OF WOO.

Ever walked away from a really great conversation, only to realize you were the one talking the whole time?

There’s something to that.

You’ve probably heard the term “woo” before, but maybe you’re not sure what the hey it means.

Today I’m gonna break it down for you. By the end of this post, you won’t just FEEL more interesting, you will BE more interesting. Let me tell you how.

WHAT DOES “WOO” REALLY MEAN, ANYWAY?

It was my first semester of college. I’d signed up for a class to learn more about myself and what my potential major (and ultimately career) should be.

Enter StrengthsFinder, the gold-standard online personality assessment. It’s designed to help people focus on their strengths instead of their weaknesses.

I wasn’t shocked to see “Communication” heading up my top five list, but I wasn’t quite sure what “Woo” was doing up there with it.

I’d heard the term before, but I didn’t really get what it meant as a strength.

I have a feeling you may be wondering the same thing.

Lucky for both of us, I’ve got a habit of hoarding nerdy collectibles, like my very first StrengthsFinder results printout, dated 9/24/2003. (I’m not kidding – it’s sitting right here.)

Here’s an excerpt:

Woo stands for winning others over. You enjoy the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to like you. Strangers are rarely intimidating to you…You are drawn to them.

You want to learn their names, ask them questions, and find some area of common interest so that you can strike up a conversation and build rapport.

In your world there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t met yet – lots of them.

Did you catch that part in the middle?

IT’S NOT ABOUT BEING INTERESTING. IT’S ABOUT BEING INTERESTED.

This doesn’t imply that people with a knack for woo are insanely interestING. It just means they’re insanely interestED. In other people.

They’re naturally curious. They want to relate. They want others to feel comfortable around them. (And they do!)

Here’s the truth: We human beings are pretty self-centered. We like attention.

As a general rule, we like to talk about our lives, our families, our work, our favorites….it’s easy. Comes naturally. We’re comfortable with it.

Think about it: How do you feel when someone takes a genuine interest in what you like, know, or do for a living?

You feel SPECIAL!

And, as a result, you really like the person who made you feel that way.

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

If you want your business to make a difference and influence people for the right reasons, it’s time to put your woo hat on.

You’re not going to interest others and build a tribe of loyal fans by talking about yourself all the time.

Think Web 2.0. The rise of social media. Today’s world is all about interaction, baby!

And interaction implies two-way conversation. Good conversations are a give and take of sharing stories and information.

So this is for you, Chatty Cathy:
If you think you’re talking too much, you probably ARE.

Talk less. Listen more. See what happens.

(Besides. Those big listening ears will help hold your woo hat in place!)

Here are a few simple tips to hone your woo skills + instantly become more interesting:

Don’t just ask your readers – listeners – clients a question and then check out of the conversation. Really listen to their responses. Then ask more.
Engage in the conversation, whether it’s on your Facebook page, your blog comments, or the lunchroom in your office. Reply and ask follow-ups when appropriate.
Pay close attention the feedback they’re sending you. Getting crickets? The digital equivalent of a glazed-over nod and smile? Perhaps you’re a little too focused on YOU. Bring them back into the conversation.
Decide to take a genuine interest in the people who have invested their time (and money!) in you. They’ll appreciate it, then you’ll appreciate that…it’s a warm fuzzy cycle.