I can’t claim to be the inventor of the phrase “raving fan” – However, I am an expert on understanding the immense power behind this phrase and how to use it to literally change lives. 

Many years ago, when I deliberately stepped out into my community to become the master connector, I made this phrase an integral part of my vocabulary. My resolve was to become a raving fan.

True raving fans leave their ego at the door.  Their sole purpose is to applaud and promote individuals that are the very best at what they do.  One of my most favorite places to shop is a consignment store called Anything Goes.  I’ve been shopping here for years and am such a raving fan that people think I own the store.

Never in my life did I ever think I’d be able to wear Escada.  For those of you woefully lacking in fashion acumen, Escada is haute couture. Straight off the racks of exclusive boutiques, a three piece Escada suit retails for $1,000 - $3,000.00.  Kid you not.  Happily for me, that same suit sells for approximately $150.00 at Anything Goes.

Coach hand bags that retail for over $600.00, have walked out the door with me for a mere $150.00.  European labels, high end American designers: jackets, pants, shoes, hats, and fabulous jewelry. (Remind me to describe a sterling silver, square-linked bracelet with its original $150.00 price tag that I picked up for $50.00).  It’s all here and anything, anything goes!

There are times when I’m a head-to-toe walking model for this shop. And, I never hesitate to sing its praises.  I carry Anything Goes business cards at all times. I stop in at least twice a week, and bring my friends.   I adore this shop and all of the very cool women who work here. I feel compelled to tell the world how fabulous a place this is.

You can be a raving fan about many things. I’m an avid reader and am a raving fan about more books than I can possibly count.  After I read Loving Frank, by Nancy Horan, I was so excited about this book, that, when I returned it to the library, I collared the library director and told her that this book needed to be read, celebrated and talked about by the entire community. I’ve been calling and emailing all of my friends about it; several women who live in my neighborhood have already read it. 

When I walked into the library a week after enthusiastically recommending Horan’s book, I discovered that the next book of the month for the library was in fact, Loving Frank; that my library had borrowed every single copy in the library system so that they’d have enough books on hand. 

Shortly after that, I was a guest at my best friend’s birthday party.  She’d taken me up on my recommendation two weeks prior to her party, and had just finished reading Loving Frank.  After getting into a fast-paced discussion about it with two women, one of them snatched up the book to take home to read.

Before the party’s end, I found myself talking with a woman who’d just finished production work for Jane Austen – the play that’s headed for Broadway. Writing the title and author on a sheet of scrap paper, and handing it to her,  I told her that this might be her next play.

One of this country’s  most recognized raving fans is Oprah Winfrey.  Her television show and national magazine lift the concept of raving fan to enviable heights of influence.  She applauds an author, a fashion designer, or a dog breed and millions of viewers react. 

Can you ever hope to achieve that kind of raving fan stature?  Why not? Start in your own back yard with the people you know.  Teachers, friends, books you’ve read. A favorite restaurant. Causes you believe in and want to support. Community organizations you want to help.

Find what touches your heart, that gives you joy, that resonates with every fiber of your being. Find the people that you want the world to celebrate and start talking about them. 

Right before you end a conversation with someone you’ve just met – someone you think should be celebrated and talked about by the world, lean close, look them straight in the eye, and say,   “I am going to be your biggest raving fan.” 

Watch the transformation on their faces as these words register in their brains. There’s no better gift than that of appreciation and the desire to want someone else to prosper.

Do this often enough with an honest and loving heart, and the most amazingly magical things will happen. You will become a pied piper whose follow-me-attitude will bring you a wealth of friends and the world will beat a path to your door.