Babe. I Got You Babe.

“I would LOVE to connect with you and discuss possibly having you appear on my new prime time TV show that features faith-based entrepreneurs on the [Redacted] Network. Please connect with me and send me a message if you want me to send you more details.”

I received that flattering message last Monday.  Now, in all candor, I’m not a faith-based company.  I have my faith, and it is not part of my outward brand.  So, with some thought, I responded:

“Thanks for the gracious offer, and I want to be clear that I’m not a faith-based business so it would not be right to pursue a connection based on that premise.  Wishing you success and significance on your venture.   JS.”  

There.  I was honest, concise, and authentic.

Then, this Monday…

“I would LOVE to connect with you and discuss possibly having you appear on my new prime time TV show that features faith-based entrepreneurs on the [Redacted] Network. Please connect with me and send me a message if you want me to send you more details.”  

Groundhog Day comes late.  I kept looking over my shoulder for Bill Murray and his quadruped sidekick running me down in a red pickup.

This is so sloppy.  A 60-to-Zero moment for this campaign and frankly for this potential connection.  (To say I would connect with them now is laughable.)  There’s just no concern, no care, no real heart put into this attempt.  Truly, this is an organization that is about them, not me, and certainly not about you!  So what’s the message here?

• Be Intentional.  Yes, you found me because of a keyword, a tag. Now, what’s interesting about me specifically? How do you serve me and how can I serve you?
• Be Curious!  If you’re going to reach out to me, make it about me, not you! You should want to find out more.
• Be Transparent.  Say what you are trying to accomplish.  Then make it about me!
• Be Aware.  You asked for my attention and got it.  Now, recognize that I recognized you.
• Be Better. The form letter: it’s boring, it lacks creativity, it’s lazy and frankly it’s dismissive.  Who ever feels good about getting one of these?  Twice!?!?

There are a lot of you right now reading this and saying all kinds of things about how email campaigns work and their success rates and it’s a numbers game and blah blah blah.  Figure out a better way.  Take your time.  Learn about me.  I never connect with those I haven’t met in real time (has to be phone or Zoom or when we were allowed, in person). And with a personalized return response I might’ve broken that rule in this instance. Now? Not so much. Here’s another little tidbit —  everyone out there on the social media stratosphere who is receiving these marketing gems feel the same way within a degree or so either way.  So, why do you keep coming at us this way?  Find a better way.  

I want good connections! I want to wake up in the morning and see snow on the ground and go outside and play in the sunshine with Andie McDowell. I don’t want to wake up and hear Sonny and Cher singing “I got you babe” in an endless loop.  Yeah, you got me alright.

If you want a different way to communicate with others, whether professionally or personally, I invite you to reach out and explore the possibilities with me.  What could your next conversation be like if your approach was to focus on their agenda first? Here’s a link to start creating that discussion right now!