Most of the people who contact me don’t treat me like a human being. They treat me like a stupid machine.
These people send me messages as if they think I’m a stupid algorithm, and that some (if->then) switch will go off when I see the words “this is a great deal for you” or “this will be a perfect business partnership for you.”
Fact is, I’m not a machine. The sad thing is that the people sending me these messages act is if they are.
Can you relate? Do you market to human beings or machines?
I can only answer by linking to my article How-To Write E-Mails That Build Your Professional Network which I think is also very true for business acquisitions.
Hard selling (cold call -> contract conversion) is a bad technique and a stupid way to approach people.
I have to disagree with Markus’s views on cold calling. Word of mouth is great, but “my mom thinks I’m cool” isn’t really a good seller. You have to start somewhere. That being said, I’m with you Ryan on the inhuman touch that most marketers have today. My ultimate enemy is telemarketers that don’t even have a person on the other end, but hit me with a recording and expect me to Press 1 when I get all excited about their ridiculous offers.
> “my mom thinks I’m cool” isn’t really a good seller
Yes, I disagree too
> I get all excited about their ridiculous offers
Do you?
Who doesn’t get excited about free trips to Mexico?
Oh, and I liked your post on blog formats. I wish I’d read it about 3 months ago.
Good point, Ryan. Most people contacting me seem to think I’m a machine too! However, this gives a lot of opportunity for those looking to actually build a relationship. I know when someone treats me like a human I need to remember them and help them.
I’ve even had some really big bloggers react to me with a simple 1 word email …. Actually 99% of the very big bloggers that I’ve had contact with do this …
I mean , if somebody had time to send you a 1 word ‘thanks’ email when you’ve just done them a big favor, it can get annoying…
http://www.newmediatype.com – internet business blog for web entrepreneurs, small online business, web developers and serious bloggers .
LexG – am I one of those bloggers?
Admittedly, sometimes I just have so much going on that I treat others more poorly than they deserve. Something I need to keep in mind.
I can be very frustrating when you are treating like something other than human.
But really, Have I Got A Deal For Your Owner…
When I email anyone I tend to go a little overboard and may even try to start up a conversation just so no one gets that idea I think of them as something automated.
If you only see me as dollars in your pocket, even if I need the product, I’ll go elsewhere to where I *am* seen as a person. And, then, I’m loyal. The bar jumps even higher for you to get my business away from the company that I have a relationship with.
Don’t even read this type of emails. Straight to the trash they go.
Mariella Moon
I Twit
I Stumble
Nobody wants to be sold to, but some people are looking to buy. When I answer the phone, I’m definitely not hoping to hear from a political candidate, a charitable organization seeking money, or any salesperson.
If I want to purchase a product I look for information online or at the store. I learn about new products and worthwhile charities primarily online and in newspapers or business magazines, and generally in the editorial sections rather than ads. That’s where you’ll find me and others like me.
Provide a compelling story on your web site. Let me see some consumer reviews of your product, service or organization. But don’t bother with phone calls or unsolicited emails. They don’t get past my radar and I have never, ever bought or donated based on an incoming phone call or an impersonal email. Recorded political calls don’t do much for me either … except make me wonder what on earth they were thinking!