As the official photographer of many people or even of some strangers, I am regularly asked:
- What's the best camera?
- What's the best flash?
- What's the best lens?
- Should I get a Canon... or a Nikon...
- What do you think of a Canon 99000D Mk 2000...?
I always answer:
- The best camera is the one that you have with you.
- The best lens is the one that you have with you.
But people do not listen, they only hear what they want to hear. So after, when I see that they didn't listen to me, I usually go into:
I don't know or I haven't tried that lens1. I'd hate to give you an honest or accurate answer. But I can tell you that I have a friend and he swears by it.
or my alternative answer:
I don't know or I haven't tried that camera2. I'd hate to give you an honest or accurate answer. But I can tell you that I have a friend and he swears at it.
Which one will I give? It depends on my mood. So far everybody was either too polite or too dumb to realize what I said.
- People only listen to what they want to hear. If you tell them differently they will not pay any attention. The same goes from advice to marketing...
- Are you really listening to your customers?
- Are you paying attention to the fact that your customers or potential customers are not listening to you?
1 You can replace that with camera, lens, flash... ↑
2 You can replace that with camera, lens, flash... ↑