How Embarrassing Your Kids Can Help You Go Viral

Five or six years ago I started to overhear people say "hashtag ______", referencing the use of hashtags in social media. My daughter, who wasn't quite old enough to drive yet, would have conversations with me like the following.

Me: Can you help clean the house?
Her: I don't have to.
Me: Why not?
Her: Hashtag America!

Well, there's no arguing with that I suppose. But it became quite annoying and a tad too convenient.

I learned years ago that people don't like to be embarrassed, especially in front of their friends. So when my daughter would act a bit sassy in front of her friends, I'd turn the tables and respond with "hashbrown ______". The above conversation would end like follows:

Her: Hashtag America!
Me: Hashbrown chores!
Her: Dad! Don't be such a dork!
Her friends: That's hilarious. Your dad is soooo funny!
Her: I hate you!

You're probably asking yourself what any of this has to do with sales. Hang on, we're almost there.

A week or so went by when my daughter came home from school one day to complain that her friends were starting to use "hashbrown" in lieu of "hashtag". Some of them apparently thought I was a hoot. I had, in a very small way, gone viral. Her friends were quoting me, and since it was clean humor, I would imagine a few of these kids' parents heard it too.

Feeling the wheels turn in my head, I considered this scenario and tried to figure out how to transfer this to my work. If I could get people to laugh at some corny joke and repeat it, I would be "top of mind" for insurance and speaking engagements. I needed a catchphrase or logo or dumb joke that would be work related that could be an epidemic.

For instance, I know one guy who wears a fedora. To be honest, it's nearly cool. And I've seen businesses that have one style of car they drive. After overthinking this for a day or so I found a solution - I'll just stick with using "hashbrown", as in "You need coverage! Hashbrown term life."

Seriously, I think it just may work.

Chris Castanes is a speaker who helps sales people succeed through workshops and humorous presentations. For booking information, click here.

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