Strangers can offer a fresh perspective and new ideas that you may not have thought of on your own. They can also help you grow your business in ways you never imagined. But here are five reasons why.
1. You're more likely to get unbiased feedback from strangers than friends.
People are often more honest with strangers than they would their friends, and this holds true for feedback as well. People want to seem good in front of others so it's not surprising that you'll get better criticism from someone who doesn't know your back story or personal life - even if what we're talking about is ourselves!
2. Strangers can introduce you to new opportunities.
Getting feedback from strangers is often more honest than getting it from friends or family members because they don't have any vested interest in your success. You can learn a lot just by looking at what people aren’t saying - both good and bad.
3. Friends may be hesitant to give negative feedback.
People are often hesitant to give negative feedback because they don't want to hurt the other person's feelings. However, it's important to give constructive feedback so that the person can improve. But if you're close friends, you should be able to honest with each other and give helpful criticism. Remember that the goal is to help the other person grow and improve, not to tear them down.
4. Strangers can help you grow your business network
Introduce yourself to new people, and be sure to ask them about their work. Exchange contact information and follow up with each other after the event. Stay in touch - send a quick email or text every once in a while to check in. Meet for coffee or lunch - getting together in person is a great way to deepen the connection. Refer business to each other when you can - it's one of the best ways to show your appreciation. Keep an open mind and be willing to learn from others, even if they don't have direct experience in your industry.
5. Friends may not want to invest in your business
Friends may not want to invest in your business because they don't want to lose a friendship. They don't have the money. They don't know enough about it. They're afraid you'll fail. They think you're taking advantage of them. Maybe you're asking for too much money.
Our brains are constantly seeking out new opportunities, and we can find them by working with strangers. Whether it's in a professional setting or in our personal lives, collaborating with someone we don't know can introduce us to new possibilities that we might never have considered. When it comes to getting feedback on our work, ideas, or anything else, the best thing we can do is open ourselves up to input from as many people as possible - even if that means reaching out to someone we've never met before. Have you had success finding new opportunities by working with strangers?
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