I hung up the phone. ​​​
Who did this guy think he was? What kind of sales pitch was THAT? And if he thinks...
The thoughts whipped across my mind hot and fast.
I'd contacted this well-known tech company to see if they could help me with my internet rankings.
"James," we'll call him, used an old school sales tactic. Erode my confidence and then swoop in to save me from the problem he'd framed up.
"So you only spend x dollars on marketing, is that right?"
I felt defensive. Red flag.
"It appears that you haven't even implemented a keyword strategy, is that right?"
My shoulders were up around my ears - red flag.
"You do realize you need some real technical expertise here, don't you?"
Now I was pissed.
I felt myself clench my teeth and managed to suck in a deep breath.
My primal instincts had initiated protect and defend mode, and I knew I needed to end this call immediately.
I forced two more deep breaths, let him finish his spiel, paused for a long silence, and said I needed to think about it and speak with a few more companies.
That unleashed the worst in James.
"Oh hell, If I'd known you were still shopping around, I'd have told you not to waste my time!," he said, voice raised.
When he stopped for a breath in his diatribe, I thanked him for his time and hung up the phone.
I sat for a minute to sort out why I was so angry.
It's a very common sales tactic. He wasn't being evil, he was just following a script that works on a lot of people.
He was doing exactly what he'd been taught to do. I have sat through trainings proposing the very same tactics.
The problem?
It's based in fear and manipulation.
It's fake.
After a day or two, I sent some feedback to James and his boss. To their credit, they both responded and James apologized.
But that first "strategy" call really stayed with me.
It's easy to fall into an old script to try and manipulate a situation, especially when that's all you've ever been taught.
Regardless, people will feel manipulation whether it's a sales call or a song.
Authenticity, being genuine, isn't just a fluffy idea that produces happiness and joy and sparkles out of your butt.
It has a tangible impact. It helps your art land in the hearts of people, your marketing resonate with the folks who are looking for you, and it affects your ability to support yourself.
For me, it was a wake up call to comb back through all my work to clean up what isn't consistent with the real, caring attention I always intend.
Because if I notice it in James, I bet I'm doing it too.
What about you? Where can you be more caring? More authentic? More yourself? I'd love to know.
Warmly, Shannon
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