"I really appreciate you taking the time to meet with me. I know you must be very busy, Ms. Alexander."
"No problem. I hear your company could bring us good things. Tell me about the kind of work your PR firm has done and how you plan to help take MOCA to the next level," she stated, once we were past the pleasantries. I had taken a seat in an oversized black leather chair that was in front of her oversized desk. She sat pensively in her boss' chair with a Scarface-intense stare, expecting my response.
"Well, by the time I'm finished recreating your image, you will not recognize your own company on paper, but in a good way. I'm going to portray your art museum as a dynamic source in art and literature on an international platform. People who have been here will want to come again just to see what they missed the last time. New visitors will flock to your museum whenever they travel to Florida."
"And how exactly…"
I cut her off expectantly. "First, I have studied your target audience to see what kinds of things they like to read, eat, and watch on TV, all the way down to the types of underwear they purchase."
"Oh…" she said, sounding impressed.
"I intimately know your customers so well that I can tell you who they are by name. Knowing who they are, what they like, and when they like it, I am able to pitch a message to them that says MOCA is the missing piece to your life's puzzle . I will show them how consistently supporting MOCA's functions will enhance their lives."
I opened up my laptop, turned on my sales presentation and went over all of the key products I would put into place for her company, including text messaging for museum lovers, calendar mailings, and trade shows. Once the final slide was up, Susie was ready to sign on the dotted line. "Where do I sign?" she asked, sounding enthusiastic about our impending partnership.
That was exactly what I wanted to hear. "Right on the dotted line," I responded, whipping out my PR contract. At that moment, I loved my career. I was such a natural at convincing people to let me take their company to the next level. We talked a little while longer about payment schedules and promotional ideas before wrapping up. "It is going to be great working with you, Ms. Alexander," I said, closing my briefcase and standing.
Just before I left out of the room, she said, "I am looking forward to it. Thanks again for traveling so far. I know our partnership will be worth every bit of the trouble. By the way, tell Mr. Jacob I said hello."