Stay Ready.

It’s been a minute since I’ve been a social entrepreneur, and I’ve learned a few things during this part of my journey. I was reminded about one of the many lessons I’ve learned along the way during a recent conference that I attended. In addition to being an attendee of the conference, I was selected to also be a social influencer for a huge financial brand sharing tweets and info about the event while I was there. This was a paid position that allowed me to be the face of the brand while bringing their message from the conference to my followers, and I was excited about the partnership.

On the first day of the event, I was asked to do an on-camera interview and meet with the woman who was overseeing the brand activation. I had no idea that this was going to be a part of the program, and for a small second, I was second-guessing myself.

I didn’t know how to feel about this. I was fresh off the plane having just arrived at the event, and it was beginning to rain at the outside venue. I was a little jet-lagged and not quite ready for primetime. And yet, it would be unprofessional to say no, or to ask to do it at another time.

I had to do what I had to do.

So what happened? Read the rest after the jump.

I got in front of the camera and answered the questions given to me about being in charge of my finances. And as a former HR manager, I was asked thoughts about my the brands’ products and services it relates to employees and careers.

Let me tell you why everything was in my favor. #1, I was very familiar with the brand and had done my homework. #2, I was dressed in my “brand” gear ready for showtime even though I was fresh off the plane and didn’t have any time to prepare. #3. I was able to have a good conversation with the woman in charge because again, I knew the brand well and had plenty of things to talk about.

There are no excuses. Which is why you have to stay ready for whatever comes your way. Rain, sleet, nor snow should stop you from being a part of an opportunity that benefits you and your brand. And people will always remember that you were prepared and focused and professional, and that will lend well to developing and continuing a future relationship that can be mutually beneficial.

So the lesson in all of this is to stay ready, be prepared, and always have your game face on.