Consistency

So, hi. This is what came in my mind when I was lying still while trying my best to hold back the pain.

Few days ago, in our first class for Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC), my lecturer asked us, in our understanding, what is IMC?

IMC is basically combining all sorts of channels and platforms, whether it is traditional or non-traditional channel, in delivering a consistent message to specific target groups or non-target groups while allowing the consumers to interact with them.

What is the keyword here?

Consistency, yes.

Even in human relationships, consistency plays such a big role. How? Let me explain.

First, we need to know how to be consistent. We can be consistent with getting clear with our objectives, with what we want. Being consistent, does not mean being pushy. Remember, people never like it to feel pressured in any ways. Do it in a gentle manner, like how they want to be approached. How to know? Try to imagine yourself being in their shoes, would you like it if people keep pushing you, selling their products without considering what you feel even for a moment? We all are humans after all. Imagine how you want to be approached; then, try to apply it in the same way. Yes, every individual is different, so what works for you, might not work for others. How you want things to work, might not be how they want things to work. But remember, in general, people are just the same.

Second, when people start to feel comfortable with the way you approach them, there will be a slight interest in them, even if they do not notice. They will start to find out more about you, asking around, make a background check, anything to feed their curiosity. Slowly, trust will be built in them. They started to be more open.  

One thing you need to remember, certain people do not like it when you say something out loud. Something that both sides already know. Especially when things are still at the early stage. I don’t know to whom this applies but it could ruin the fun if the timing is wrong.

If there are 3 things I could state here, what people in general always crave for, they are; space, time and understanding.

When you see the trust is finally and fully built, that’s might be the time you tell your intention. Or, if you are a brand and the trust is finally built in consumers, they will say “Okay, let’s give their product a try since it does look promising and see if it’s worth it.”

So when people finally open up and give their trust to you, do you think they want to be disappointed? Heck no. And of course you want to do your best in serving and winning their hearts right?

But the problem is, over times, people tend to forget why they are doing it at the first place. They started to forget how hard it is to earn such trust and started to be nonchalant with their actions. As if they don’t care. This is what usually happened in human relationship, either in romantic relationship, or any kind of relationship. When we started to see their true colours, we get disappointed, as if we are so perfect and as if we don’t have the sides that people could be disappointed at. Funny isn’t it?

We tend to expect others to be perfect for us but forget we are all humans after all, the flaws are always there, and we forget the fact that love is all about accepting and to work things out together.

Or maybe we are never clear with what we want at the first place?

This is why the word ‘reminder’ exists, so those who forget can be reminded.

We seriously need to tone down with our never ending expectations. It’s never wrong to have expectations but we need to be realistic. We need to bear in our minds that we are dealing with people; ever-changing creatures, either in feelings or being. Let’s just give our best and if things don’t work the way we want, then it’s okay.