Today is the anniversary of Lord Cornwallis's surrender, in Yorktown, Virginia (1781). Washington had marched his army of a few thousand troops, from West Point to the Yorktown peninsula...a journey of 400 miles. Cornwallis knew that Washington was approaching, yet chose not to flee. He thought that he would be evacuated by the British Navy. Unbeknownst to him, the British Navy had been defeated by the French fleet at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. After a five-day bombardment, the combined American and French forces attacked and overwhelmed Cornwallis's fortified position on the night of October 14.
On this day in 1781, at 2:00 a.m., the surrender began. The following day, George Washington congratulated the Continental Army with his General Orders for October 20, 1781...
"The General congratulates the Army upon the glorious event of yesterday."
The Prospecting Professor wonders...why not use this historic event to grab the attention of your clients and prospects alike? For example:
- You: Did you know that today is the anniversary of the surrender that ended the American Revolutionary War?
- Them: Nope...I didn't
- You: I wonder if you have surrendered to "high taxes?"...or "a meager retirement?"...or "sub-par investment returns?"
- Them: I have to say that I have felt under siege lately.
- You: Well...before you wave the white flag, I wonder if you would let me come to your rescue?
As a financial advisor don't surrender to the dullness of the typical prospecting approaches. Use your creativity to grab some attention.
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