Every one of your clients, in some form or another is reading the news. For some, traditional print papers still are the primary source, for others it may be online news articles showing up in their Twitter or Facebook feeds.
While not every article that’s printed will be read top to bottom, or even read at all (a lot of people just skim headlines), the fact that more and more articles & stories are appearing in mainstream media relating to environmental chemicals means that more people are aware of these issues. This is a good thing! In fact, this is a great thing, because it takes all the pressure off you to convince them that toxins are a real threat to our health.
In the private coaching I do with clients, I often suggest that when they hold a talk, a workshop, or any kind of event, whether it’s in person or virtual, they showcase news articles in major, mainstream publications that speak to the topic they’re teaching on. This simply reinforces what you’re saying, gives them something tangible to take home and read up on, and will lead to more questions that answers… answers that you can provide once you work with them!!
I see this technique used often at some of the academic lectures I attend, particularly ones that are addressing new, cutting edge information.
For example:
If you’re introducing the concept of overall chemical exposures, offer one or two examples of articles that are also talking about overall chemical exposures. Like this one, or this one.
If you’re talking about chemicals and their connection to weight gain, obesity, and/or diabetes, share an article like this, this, this, or this.
Working with clients around breast cancer prevention, or breast cancer recovery? Try something like this or this.
The point here is that the news can work for you, help you overcome the feeling that you need to “convince” your clients, and serve to reinforce your status as the expert.
