The Man Who Offered to Beat Me Up
by Dr. Joe Vitale
www.mrfire.com
Today I received a long letter from a man who
created a new self-defense system. He claims
he can defeat anyone in under 3 minutes.
He wants me to promote him and his method.
He went on to say he'd be happy to meet with me
to prove his skills.
What did he have in mind?
He wants to beat me up.
I'm serious.
"If I can defeat you within 3 minutes," he said
in his letter, "then you promise to promote me
and my products. Deal?"
He went on to give me the contact information
for his agent so I could set up the match.
It might have made an interesting webcast. I can
just see the headline:
"51-year-old formerly obese Internet Marketing
Expert meets 30-year-old Superman-fit Martial
Arts Expert in Quick-Kill Match. Register now."
Gee, I wonder who would win?
I'd lose even if I went armed.
What would you have done?
How would you have responded to his offer?
Unless you're a fighter looking for a match,
you'd probably toss this offer in the trash.
I often wonder what people are thinking. Does
this guy really think I'll fight him? And then, if I lose,
I'll gladly smile and start marketing him?
I don't claim to be a fighter and am not seeking
bouts. I'm also not seeking new clients. Especially
clients who want to break my nose to prove they
are better than me.
When you reach out to anyone, keep in mind
that no one likes to be told they are inferior. It
is not a good way to win friends and influence
people. In fact, it's not a good way to do much
of anything.
I think the lesson here is that we all have egos.
The better way to approach people is to put your
ego under theirs.
In other words, be willing to lower your status.
Don't flaunt your stuff. Instead, show your weakness
and ask for help.
This nervy fighter might have done better by
offering to teach me his new method, not offering
to embarrass me with it.
Contrast his behavior to that of a man in
Florence, Italy. This gent heard I loved leather
jackets. He went and bought two of them and
sent them to me, gratis.
I'll never forget *him*.
This works in your marketing, too.
Rather than boast that you or your business
is the greatest, focus on how you or your business
can make your customer or client the greatest.
Or surprise your customers by giving them
gifts (much like this article is a gift). People
love to be surprised on the positive side.
See the difference?
This redirection of focus can trigger a true
transformation in your sales.
Take heed.
See you in the ring.
Copyright © 2005 by Joe Vitale. All rights reserved.
You may forward this in its entirety to anyone you wish.
Hypnotic Marketing Inc.
121 Canyon Gap Rd
Wimberley TX 78676
Member BBB Online 2005 |
