How “Not” to do Direct Outreach
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Michael Port on Facebook
This guy writes very politely but he is missing so much. He is askign for something from you without getting to know you, building trust adn rapport with you or thinking about what is in it for you to consider helping him.
He is purely writing from his own persepctive and looking to help himself without helping you, your clients, or anything else at all.
Building rapport, trust and a relationship comes before anythign else in my book?
Carol
What a funny letter Michael. I’m surprised you don’t get more of these. If you want, I’ll write you a testimonial for your next book and send you my photo. I don’t need to read your book, I’ll just write a few sentences for ya. Hahaha!
Yes, actually, I get a few of these a day. You should see the one I received in Facebook yesterday. As my mother would say, Oiy vey.
Hi Michael
The assumptions that “Peter” has made are enormous. First, he assumes that you will write a testimonial at all, and then write it for a product unseen, unheard of, and unlaunched by a guy you don’t even know.
I think this letter is just impersonal enough to believe that it’s a form letter sent out to others as well.
How absolutely, for lack of a better word, “tacky”.
Kathleen
I believe you should make an attempt to give first. I think when all is said and done we approach “networking” in one of two ways.
1st with an open palm up – meaning we come to RECEIVE.
2nd with palm turned down -symbolic of the Go-Giver attitude. Give 1st and build a relationship; make a connection.
I would never have approached you this way.
Joe
What about the antiquated tone of the writting? Is this guy a 19th century actor?
Whatever the reason(s), “Peter” hasn’t yet learned that while we are all here to assist others, there are appropriate ways to ask when we need something.
If he’d asked if you were available or interested in reviewing his product, it could have led to conversations, building your confidence in him and his product, which could have grown enough for you to provide a testimonial.
Was his product worthy?
TomboyKaren
Wow, has he got a LOT to learn about business. Now if he had read YOUR books, been one of YOUR students and YOU had asked HIM for a testimonial that would make sense but the other way round…… When you do not know him or his products and certainly not the embryonic one then he is either seriously stupid or living in dreamland.
I trust you responded with the suggestion that he follow your teaching and basic business sense…
In light of the new FTC regulations on testimonials, I wonder if the Feds will be after HIM for trying to get what amounts to a fake endorsement?
@Michael – what are these regulations and do they govern companies outside of the US ? Thanks. Gillian
In case Michael from comment #9 doesn’t see your question, here is more info on the new Blogger FTC Regulations.
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2009/12/01/were_bloggers____we_get_stuff_for_free/
Hello,
I think this is a cultural issue. “Good self” is an Indianism so I assume this guy is from the Indian subcontinent which puts a different complexion on things. For example suppose you wanted to break into Japan and met a top businessman to get a business endorsement, it is like him saying ,” I met a polite and respectful person but he didn’t return my bow at the correct angle”.
The other two points(Is the product good? and what is in in it for you?) are in any case implicit so no problem. Also implicit is the moral/legal issue that you would read/try the product before any endorsement.
Rohan
@Rohan …Indianism possibly …. also old fashioned British – certainly men over 40 in the UK would say that, especially the upper class male who has attended public school. They would even say that in converation for example ‘and how is your good self today?’ when otherwise we’d say ‘How are you?’. Not that this is a blog about culture and language !!!