Evan and I were getting a little cranky with each other. We were running a sale and the response was underwhelming.
Operating an internet business with my sweetie is like being on a road trip. Driving conditions are constantly changing, and occasionally we have to stop and ask directions. Or at least, I think that stopping and asking is a good idea, especially when we’re frustrated and not entirely positive we’re reading the map right.
So I thought it might be a good time to reach out and ask for a second opinion. You know, from someone with a similar experience, someone who knows a lot about running a business online.
Chris Garrett had sent out his newsletter that morning with a friendly note saying to email him with any questions. It had caught my eye. I pulled it up and shot him a note.
Within half an hour, Chris emailed me back with a pithy list of answers and suggestions. Okay. Now that’s fast. I was surprised and impressed. He was quick, funny and gave me sound advice. He listed several reasons that he could think we might not be getting the response we wanted on that sale. I shared his answers with my sweetheart, the Code Ninja.
The Ninja replied cooly that he’d considered all of those things already.
But then (and I’m paraphrasing here) he said, “oh crap, he’s right.”
Needless to say, this is not so much a plug for Chris Garrett (although it’s that too), as a reminder that it’s smart to stop and ask for feedback once in a blue moon. The web world is huge, but every time you make a connection with someone “out there,” you get an instant reminder that this is also a very intimate media.
It’s just you and me sitting here, when it comes down to it. Good thing to remember when writing your next e-newsletter article or blog post.
While you’re checking out Chris G’s very helpful and cool blog (where he gives away tons of free and useful stuff, btw), take a few minutes to listen to some of the interviews he’s done. I just listened to his conversation with Naomi Dunford and Sonia Simone, who are brilliant and funny as well, about their work blogging and teaching.
All three of them make it a point to say that making one or two sales is not the primary driver behind their businesses, but rather creating healthy relationships with customers and providing a sound and ethical service that gives people what they need. Above all, they believe that in this economic climate change, there is genuine value in really helping other people become financially independent.
And, that doing that stuff is way more fun than simply making money anyway.
I agree!
