Hey Folks,
My last post has become controversial.
In fact, I lost a number of subscribers over my post who were downright angry about it.
Even some of my best friends didn’t understand what I was trying to say or thought the post was confusing or just didn’t sound like me.
So I thought maybe it would be interesting to discuss some of the reasons people were upset and whether writing my last post was a good thing or a bad thing.
First, here are some facts …
- My last post and my promotions for it generated more visitors to this blog than any other single post in a very long time.
- At least 4-5 people unsubscribed from my list because of it
- A number of very high-level marketers wrote me telling me about how my post grabbed their attention in this always noisy world.
- More people people blogged about my post than any other post in recent history.
- Some people thought it was wonderful and some people thought the fact that I posted it was unforgiveable.
So why were some people upset?
I don’t claim to know all of the answers, but I think that it would be interesting to discuss some of the questions.
Here’s are a few reasons people were upset ….
- They found it deceptive
- They felt it was not written in my style
- They found it a waste of their time
- They felt that is was a marketing ploy.
- They found it manipulative
Was this a manipulative, deceptive marketing ploy?
Yes.
Almost everything that I do on this blog is designed to talk about marketing and to actually sell you my ideas, products and services. Are you surprised? Is that morally wrong?
I hope not.
In fact, I see it as my mission in life to give you the knowledge, skills, resources, techinques and strategies to help YOU do it too as you get your real solutions to today’s problems into the hands of MILLIONS instead of thousands.
Let’s start with the “headline”
My initial email promotion of this blog post included the phrase …
“have to warn you about someone … reluctantly.
That’s the hook.
By the way, all good headlines are manipulative.
Whenever, I send out an email the purpose of the subject line (the headline for an email) is to get you to read the email and the purpose of the body of the email is to get you to click on the links and take an action — in this case … read my blog post. I’m trying to manipulate your actions so that you do what I want you to do.
Note: It still amazes me that people subscribe to marketing newsletters and blogs and are offended when you market to them. After all the title of the blog is “MARKETING thoughts”
So did this email subject line work?
Yes.
Actually extremely well in this case. The subject line worked because MANY more people than usual opened this email and the body worked because many more people than usual clicked on the links.
Why?
Maybe …
- We like to read bad news about someone else
- We want to be informed about what we need to watch out for
- We like to watch the lives of other people
But my guess is that the real reason was …
Curiosity about who this person was.
People want to know who this mysterious person was and I deliberately built up that feeling. Yep, I manipulated the structure of the blog post so that you wouldn’t know and so the tension would build.
But, I didn’t give you the payoff that you expected.
Now this is where the anger comes in.
- People expect you to BE one way and when you aren’t then they have a definite reaction.
- They expect you to DELIVER one way and when you don’t they react in a strong way.
That reaction can be good or bad, but there is ALWAYS a reaction when you do something that people don’t expect. In this case … lots of reactions!
- Harris Fellman wrote, “very compelling email even *I* had to click it”
- Micheal Savoie wrote, “Funny how you can write in such a way as to build anticipation throughout. By the last of the post, we are literally screaming to find out who you are talking about.”
- Frank Sousa found it, “a bit confusing”
- David Hancock, the CEO of “Morgan James Publishing” wrote, “Very clever! And well done.” and asked if he could comment about it on his blog.
- Amy Flynn wrote, “Yes you sure did build the anticipation and I was waiting for the reveal, or partial reveal, only to find out you are really speaking about human nature.”
- Shirley told me to “Grow Up!”
- Steve Chenneour wrote, ” Very provocative post really gets people thinking. Is it me he’s talking about or someone else?”
- J N wrote, “That “friend” thing was a waste of time. Please don’t put fear on your subscribers. That left me in dissapointment, because it wasted minutes of my time. Just thought id let you know, because its anoying”
- Eva J. Mah said, “Thank you for making me think today.”
- Ross Goldberg commented, “A very insightful and thought provoking post, Ken.”
- Doug & Teri Champigny said, “Just keep on being you, Ken – our whole industry is better for it!”
- Steve Pohlit said”Ken McArthur you are a great example.”
And then there is the reaction of my dear friend Mary Grace.
Mary Grace is wondering if this is a marketing ploy or if I am serious.
She wonders if I was not going to tell you who we need to watch out for, why say anything at all?
She also thinks that the way this was done just pointed the finger of suspicion at everyone and created an atmosphere of lack of trust in our “family” and believes sometimes things are better left unsaid if the truth cannot be told.
So what is the value of controversy without communication?
- You need to get people’s attention to make any difference at all.
- We can always get attention with enough controversy.
- When we deliver the unexpected we will get extraordinary results.
However …
- Real value USUALLY comes from a clarity of purpose and a clarity of communication so that people understand what we are saying and can take actions that will solve their problems.
- Taking people by surprise can be dangerous, because you never know how they will react.
- Maybe you want to try to measure the value you deliver against the damage you may produce.
So let me be clear about my last post…
MY GOAL WAS TO MAKE YOU THINK …
- People will disappoint you, but I want to encourage you to resist the urge to condemn them.
- The post was never about a single person, but about all of us.
- The truth is that we think harder about a topic when it is personal.
- No one cares that millions die every day in auto accidents.
- We all care when it happens to someone that we know personally.
So for a moment, I got personal with you.
- The problem is real.
- The people are real.
But if we aren’t at least LOOKING for an INDIVIDUAL, we never feel the message at our core and we miss the point.
Hope this helps.
I would love to hear your comments.
All the best,
Kenneth A. McArthur
jvAlertLive.com
TheImpactFactor.com
InfoProductBlueprint.com
jvAlert.com
P.S. Here’s the addresses to find me on Twitter and Facebook
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/KenMcArthur
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ken-McArthur/20103565427
P.P.S. Hint, hint …
Want to learn everything I know for less than $15?
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Brilliantly done, Ken…
Your first post was both controversial & thought-provoking;
following it up with an explanation and sample reactions turned the whole exercise into a great marketing lesson for all – no wonder we follow your blog so closely!
So what’s next – how do you top this one?
Ken,
I read and I laughed. Funny how we really do want the “dirt.” Only to find out that we should be looking in the mirror…
Reminds me of something that Dr Hew Len said (something like this) have you ever noticed when there is a problem that you are experiencing that you are there. In other words we are always at the cause of problems, and need only to look at ourselves, not other to fix them.
Thanks for the enlightening blog post,
Kim Burney
PS I did wonder if I was the only one who didn’t “get it.”
Ken,
Well, as a copywriter myself…this “controversial” post just re-emphasized a lesson for me…
Excellent.
I will bet that your readership has read this post looking for the answer as well…but we’ll see huh?
Joseph Ratliff
Ha… it was indeed very cleverly written – I enjoyed reading it and was anticipating a different ending… but you wrote the truth in a different way.. It was very well done.. Thanks
Ken, I thought you went the long way around to present your point – which is a good one, of course.
Ken, your comments are always so thoughtful and brilliant – I think having controversial statements from time to time help keep things alive! Hey, if we agree 100% of the time, one of us isn’t necessary (who said that?). Anyway, I think that your original blog was meant to grab our attention and that’s neither disappointing or unlike you. That’s part of marketing, folks! And I agree, how very surprising it is that some people don’t understand that when it’s a blog about marketing! Hello!
Well done, Ken, and keep up the blogs that keep us THINKING! Oh sure, it “hurts” sometimes (LOL), but I’m all for using it so I don’t lose it! (Hey, how many cliches have I used in this?) Sorry, we don’t all have the brilliant mind you do, but all the more reason to appreciate it when we DO get exposed to it! Keep it up!!!
Love & blessings,
Warning… May contain thought provoking information! Read at your own risk!
Ken,
Sometimes we just have to be controversial to weed out the chaff in our lists and our friends. Friends are not very good friends if one blog post can make them leave us.
Subscribers who leave your list because you made them think would not have purchased your book or Infoproduct Blueprint (and definitely not your Impact 101 or IMpact Action Team Coaching program) because those will make you think, too!
On twitter, I use a service called Qwitter.com to see who leaves me and what post made them leave. So far it has only showed me one post out of all of the 2000+ tweets, and it was read out of context. So I say this to tell you that people will leave you if they are not ready for what you have to say or if they are too lazy to make an informed decision.
I recently lost one of my unsubscribers who had put in the comments section “I have too many subscriptions and just do not have time to read them all!”
My reply was, “Sorry to tell you that you unsubscribed from the wrong person!”
Whether people love you or hate you, you have to still be able to look yourself in the mirror and like the person on the other side. If you are comfortable with that person, you don’t have anything to worry about and can sleep well, know that you are doing great things!
I could write on and on about this, but I know others are waiting for their turn to chime in!
Have an amazing day!
Micheal Savoie
http://twitter.com/michealsavoie
PS – When the chips are down, open another bag!
Hey Ken,
Honestly this post didn’t make much of an impact for me, yawn. It was more of a tempest in a teacup. I guess controversy is in the mind of the beholder:)
Heeey Ken,
this is your friend Deremiah *CPE. I’m writing not to critique you one way or the other. It truly doesn’t matter what I think or believe. Why? Because deep down inside you know the real answer Ken. You know what truly matters. You know why you did it. Only you know if you’ll do it again. Now regardless of the opinions of others which can influence our decisions we must be as Shakespeare said so clearly—”To thine own self be true…”.
All I can say Ken is in a world full of Hocus Pocus just be original. Don’t do anyone else—just “DO YOU”. And if you do you that’s all that really matters.
Some people will complain about the time it took away from their lives to read it. Some will complain because they still want to know “was it really someone they should be watching out for?”. Some people will complain because it makes them feel good.
Some people will cheer you on because they get to feel a part of the hurd. Some will praise you to high heaven. Some will encourage you to do it again.
But I’ll just say in a world full of Hocus Pocus just be original…just “Do you Ken”…”just be original”. Love you man. You asked for my input and this is all I’ve got to give you. Keep your head up and “MAKE IT HAPPEN”.
Is there anything else I can do to Serve YOU?
Your Servant, (Because when it’s all said and done you just deserve to be HAPPY!!!)
Lovingly Deremiah *CPE
Inventor of the POWER SMILE
Ken, I agree with those that said just be you. I’ve stopped reading or listening to anyone who is doing deceptive marketing, continuity marketing, and all the other less than admirable marketing out there. We want to get people’s attention and these methods work – but do you also want to lower yourself to the ‘used car saleman’ approach of those whom I don’t trust? I almost listed who – but maybe that is for another post.
I’m writing a course I can’t wait to get out to all of you because it will teach IMers how to use instructional design in your product offerings – then people will flock to your products because they are really, really good – not because of your ad nauseum product launches and deceptive marketing. Once I get there, hopefully you’ll do me the honor of being one of my beta testers.
Reminds me of the timeshare who promised a boat to those who would listen to a presentation. My friends went. When, at the end, they were presented with an inflatable boat raft, they applauded the salesman and admitted their own gullibility and opportunity for humility. Marketers always find a hook. At least this one was insightful.
Found the original post to be a great example of making an impact and getting people to think (always a dangerous thing).
As I normally read all of the posts here it made little difference but then I rate all blogs I follow by what they deliver overall to me not on a single post.
Unfortunately sounds like some will lose out on all the good content you provide by this one “controversial” post.
Guess they did not like looking in the mirror as it is hard for us all but at times very necessary and you did supply a good reminder for us all.
Hi Kenneth
I am the most odious person in the world.I have no one friend/except online now/,so you could free point a finger to me.It is true.I am a little *Strange* and person of expressive personality.people don’t like me.
You did not live up to expectations-we are not told who was that *secret*person,and we felt you made a fool of us.
If i quitted my job every one thinks i received notice not maybe i got better job.
If i break with boyfriend/he left me/,maybe i have found better one.
Thank you
Ken,
Although I always read everything you send me, I rarely comment. But this was just too much fun. I knew the minute I opened it that you were not going to be hanging some poor soul out there for all of us to point at and frown. And yet, like so many others apparently, I was compelled to stop what I was doing and read at that moment. Because even though I “knew” there was a catch, you had me intrigued enough to find out what it was. And now of course, here I am reading and commenting on the follow up. Thanks for the valuable marketing lesson!
VERY thought provoking but very true.I did look for the culprit at the end I said that I never thought that way
but I had to agree with you
Robert
Ken,
If you lost 4 or 5 subscribers, that seems like nothing considering how big your list must be… even if the post had included a map to where you buried a chest of gold.
I thought the post in question was good, but not what was controversial about it or why it would make anyone angry. It is understandable that some of the many people you have worked with could have let you down, and also why you would not want to publicly name such a person.
I think a lot more people would have been upset if you had named a person, since he or she probably has fans that would assume you were wrong. I think “outing” the person would be much more controversial.
Nice going Ken! I actually did what you expected…read the whole thing and clicked the link, while thinking about what you pulled off. HA!
Go ahead, and make an impact, my friend. We’re still friends, right?
– Andy
Ken,
I have to admit, I did not read the first post until I got the second email. I glanced at the first subject line and though –“This is just marketing. I know Ken, he will never point out one person.” I moved the email to “read latter” folder.
Do not get me wrong- I read all of your post – I know it will be a great loss for me if I did not.
I read the fist post and was pleased because this is something I teach. On the end I applauded you and was confused what the fuss is all about. So I read the second one and still do not understand why it is the controversy.
I do agree with my dear friend Deremiah *CPE . He said it well as always.
I guess we look up other people to much and we loose ourselves in them. When we find something we do not like, we suddenly get hurt. We get find some extraordinary people -Like you Ken- but I guess we need to keep in mind the “occupation” and separate the friendship and work. I have a friend who is an attorney and saves a lot of money for corporation in a law suits. In some cases I wish he was not as good as he is but I love the man dearly. He does what he can to provide for his family and then some more in donations to non–profit saving lives. Do I have a right to judge him? No, I do not.
I listen to everybody and everything. I take what I feel is right form me. If it turns not to be a good advice, I move on. It was my decision to listen to the advice and if it turns up to be wrong one I am the only one responsible.
I attended JVAlert and I can tell all of the attendees were wonderful people and I made some lasting friendships.
I feel blest to know you all.
Love
Lucia
https://twitter.com/luciamitro
Ken,
You were marketing? Marketing what? Somehow I missed that.
It is very nice you love your friends. You seemed to be refusing to be placed in the middle of feuding people, which is good. However, I was left feeling “what’s the point?” and – What? I thought it was sort of weird actually.
So you got a lot of clicks. Only you may know why it got you anything out of those clicks.
Why did I click on it? It sounded as if someone who is well known on line was being crook that we needed to be warned about.
A lot of people trust you. Everyone says you are mister nice guy and that you are very smart.
Even smart nice guys goof up. Sorry, I think this was one of those times. I find it odd that anyone would leave you over this, people are interesting aren’t they?
Winona
Ken,
I thought the McCain campaign ended last week?
Howard
I have limited time to read but will generally read warnings from people that I allow access to my life via email. I especially enjoyed reading the follow up ‘Controversey’ post. It is a good thing to ‘stir things up’ occassionally! I think that the people that had issues really didn’t understand that the issue was NOT with YOU or the Blog Content but with the BOX they had you in. You are so-o out of that box now! If the critics had questioned what made them upset or confused they could have grown but they chose to take it personally or chock it up to an ‘alien abduction’ and are the ultimate losers now, not only because they rejected YOU and your Creativity but because they learned NOTHING from the experience meaning they are doomed to repeat the process!
Judi
HHHey Ken,
You have still got a thought provoking post and this is great. It’s amazing to me also people will subscribe to a blog about marketing and then get upset when they get marketed to. What a conceipt being marketed to on a blog about marketing, who’d of thought that would happen. In reality as a person we “market” on a daily basis even if they aren’t in the marketing profession.
The unsubscribers you had just didn’t need the lessons that you present here, must be doing very well without them. I’ve got to say that you make me think about the lessons here and what they may be, so that is a very good thing. I’ve enjoyed this post as much as the others, also the mind workout. Thanks again and looking forward to more controversial posts, you’ve done great.
Steve Chenneour
http://twitter.com/steve_chenneour
Ken…
What I’m about to say may come off as harsh and pointed… it will be “controversial” (something which you seem to enjoy) and it may seem unfair… but I can’t let your post and something you admitted to in it go without giving you my opinion and commentary…
When I read your initial post I didn’t think much of it… we both know that this industry attracts a lot of liars, con artists, fake “guru’s” and those that know they can abuse their customer base and get away with it… I can point fingers at “BIG” names that fall within this description and many people would be amazed at who they are…
But today I read your current post… and while you explained what you did, within the post you also copped to something that to me says a lot… and not in a nice way…
You see, you wrote the following:
“Was this a manipulative, deceptive marketing ploy?
Yes.”
Those two simple sentences says a lot to me… it speaks volumes that are quite alarming and concerning about Ken McArthur…
In those two sentences you told me that you are a man of possible questionable ethics, willing to use “abusive” strategies and techniques in order to get whatever you want across…
It casts doubt within me as to who you REALLY are, your authenticity with your information, your knowledge…
It casts doubt on your marketing, your products, your business and how you view your market and your customers…
It casts doubt in that I may never trust a single thing you say or do or claim… it tells me that you are willing to deploy manipulative and deceptive marketing, information, strategies, copy, claims in order to make a sale or teach a point or get traffic…
It explains to me why you would comment on the jerks who screw this business up for others, abuse the market over and over again but in turn you see nothing wrong in still being their friend and letting them continue to get away with their felonious charades…
It tells me so much about Ken McArthur, it brings into question that everything you wrote in your book “Impact” may all be an illusion and it leaves me questioning whether I will ever see you in a good moral light ever gain…
Two simple sentences that reveals a lot and also causes so much retrospective alarm… two simple sentences that not only points to the reasoning behind the original post, but also focuses a spotlight on the person that wrote it…
Yes, I’m being overly harsh and accusatory… yes, I’m being strong in my commentary and judgement… yes, I’m exploding this more than needs be… but… and it’s a big but… I am commenting this way because those two sentences say so much…
Many others may have missed it… many won’t comment on your tactics because they are afraid of being critical or are hoping that somehow you’ll grace them some way or just don’t fully understand the power of words…
I suffer none of the above and point to what I see as problematic without worrying whether it will offend or disturb or cause massive controversy… someone has to call out what they see, discuss what they find disconcerting… I don’t pull punches and call out those things that bother me whether it be good or bad…
“Was this a manipulative, deceptive marketing ploy?
Yes.”
Two sentences many have probably glossed over but that say so much about ethics, morals, values, beliefs and your application of them…
Two sentences that when you think of them, truly think of them, makes one ask “why?”
Tony Blake
Frankly, Ken, your initial post left me confused and clueless (er… maybe it’s not your post that’s at fault, though!
)
I read it twice, didn’t understand what it was about, almost wrote to ask you – and then figured it wasn’t that important.
This follow up leaves me even further confused at what this was all about.
A marketing test, about the power of curiosity?
If yes, it worked.
A message delivered ambiguously enough to not hurt/harm anyone?
If yes, it failed – because it communicated nothing (to me, at least).
An attempt to rejuvenate and activate your list, make them think?
If yes, it worked – though in cases like myself, the thought was fruitless.
So, just as at the start of this note, I’m confused and clueless about the 2 messages.
Oh well, there are many other things in the Universe that leave me feeling the same way
All success
Dr.Mani
Thanks for another amazing email. When I saw the headline I knew you were going to have an angle. Angling is a form of fishing which is exactly what marketing is all about. When you put a big fat worm on the hook you catch a lot of fish. We keep the bass and toss the suckers back. People that don’t take the time to understand the process will object to good marketing. I’ll admit that I didn’t get what I expected but what you gave was far more valuable.
I’ll be looking for more of your gems in among the mounds of garbage in my in box.
Hey Tony,
Many thanks for your extended comments.
I think that they deserve a response.
Tony, I purposely used a word that can have negative connotations to grab your attention.
The word manipulative can have a negative connotation, but it also means, “to influence skillfully.”
The difference between my attempt to influence your reaction and my being a man of “possible questionable ethics” is intent.
If I am attempting to influence your reactions for evil purposes then I could be considered to have “questionable ethics.”
There was no evil intent behind my attempt to influence my readers. None. Zero. Nada.
Was it deceptive. Yes.
Why?
For the same reason that a mystery novel is deceptive.
To make my key points I need to write in a way that engages your interest, increases the impact, strengthens the impression and locks in your memory my key points.
Are mystery novels deceptive?
Of course, otherwise they would be BORING!
Mystery novels attempt to get you thinking about the possibilities.
My post was designed to make you think.
The fact that you wrote a detailed response to my post is proof that you did that.
So the other question is, “Do I have questionable ethics?”
I may surprise you with my answer.
Of course, I have “questionable ethics.”
In fact it was one of my key points in this entire exercise.
I fall flat on my faces MANY times — usually every day.
I make mistakes in judgment and fail to meet my own ethical standards often.
You should always question my ethics, but …
When I do fail, I hope that people will not jump to judgment too harshly or too quickly.
That’s my only point for the original post.
Hope this help you to understand why I do what I do.
All the best,
Ken
Hello Ken!
I went to a live event just recently.. where there was a man talking about something I really had no interest in, however, my friend said.. “Nono… I’m fascinated with how he does that. I’m like a marketing geek” This guy is pretty, no, Very successful online, too.
That made me think.. that I need to be paying attention to how people sell. Not just how people sell, even.. what makes people buy. I’m a marketer, after all.
When I stopped thinking like a customer, and started thinking like a marketer.. my world changed. I read the sales letters that say “join now” 13 times… it works.
As a marketer… I have to do whatever it takes to get you to look at what I have to offer. some people like it, some people don’t. It’s not that big of a deal when they don’t…. I mean I TRY not to take it personally.
I can’t say what others are thinking… but I’ll betcha, that the ones who were upset by this… were thinking like customers… and not marketers. Isn’t that what we’re all supposed to be?
k… my 2 cents =)
Promises are given, Why?
There is always someone or something that will never be correct.
Accept it as part of life and move on.
One can not change what is, only what one can.
It is true people love gossip, just as people will stare at a horrible accident or damage an innocent due to another’s jealousy.
People are what people plant.
So in the end due dilligence and belief will prevail.
After all we can not all be good or bad all of the time.
Trust is earned but love is given.
In the end I love to trust.
I promise.
William
Hi Ken,
I for one felt the original post was a very thought provoking comment on the “human condition”.
It highlights the fact that we all make mistakes (I know I sure do) and so we shouldn’t be quick to pass judgements.
A very worthwhile reminder to all of us.
Cheers,
Michael
Ken,When I started to read your post I didn’t expect that you would be giving a name of a specific person. I just thought that you would tell us that we could be our own worst enemy but you went beyond that and said that we could understand others by taking a good look at ourselves.We all sometimes forget that lesson.
Hi Ken. Interpretation has been the ‘bain’ of internet marketing, E-mailing & texting since it’s conception. How many times have people been ‘flamed’ in forums because their post simply wasn’t read through the same eyes?
The bible is probably the best example of people ‘never’ being able to see eye-to-eye. How can one book be interpreted in ‘so’ many different ways??
There’s the quandry. To post, or not to post? You’re sure going to upset ‘somebody’ who looks at life from a different prospective.
Keep ‘em comin’ Ken.
Pete Moring.
Pete Moring’s last blog post..Light Accross The Universe
Ken;
I saw the subject line of your original post and I immediately clicked through to read it, and my respect and admiration for you rose several notches…
It continued to rise as I read your opening sentences, believing that you had finally realized the importance of honesty, responsibility and accountability in the leadership role you have with all those who follow you.
I can’t begin to express my profound disappointment when I realized this wasn’t the case.
“A “No” uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a “ Yes” merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
I would rather hear an honest negative opinion from you than the whole “Let’s hold hands and all sing Kumbaya” thing that you and many marketers have decided is the way to go. Even if I didn’t agree. To me, this borders on irresponsible, especially in a leadership role.
If you know of unethical or illegal behavior, or even just bad advice coming from someone, does it not make sense to steer those people who follow you in the proper direction? To actually warn them about things that may harm them?
I can appreciate that you hold friendships sacred… it’s a commendable trait in anyone to be accepting and tolerant of even the most unsavory person. But in business, and especially in a position when your leadership is perhaps pivotal in the success of others, I personally believe it’s important to be honest and responsible – even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular.
When someone who has attained a certain prominence in this industry endorses someone else, this leads people to attach the same level of integrity to that person that you yourself have worked hard to earn. When this person is proven to be unethical or unsavory, it diminishes YOU, in that exact same way, simply by your unwavering support of them.
I’ve gone on far longer than intended, as I’ve said this to you privately before.
To me, supporting and endorsing those people who behave in such a way that might harm others is really no different than saying nothing at all to protect those who count on you to provide sound advice.
Just my two cents… again.
Lisa Preston
Lisa Preston’s last blog post..Get DOUBLE The Bonuses – EXCLUSIVE From Tony Blake!
Hi Lisa,
Actually, I DID warn everyone. Wasn’t that the subject line that started all of the controversy?
I warned everyone about the fact that people will let you down … even my friends.
I don’t endorse people that I don’t believe in.
But I don’t claim that any of them are perfect either.
All the best,
Ken
Hi Ken,
I thought both posts were excellent, as they were insightful into human nature, made us think, and perhaps made us more sensitive to the frailties of those around us (not to mention ourselves!) such that each at some point disappoints unintentionally.
The first post also showed again your caring heart. It stressed your unswerving loyalty even to those who slip, to love them and lift them up again (not condemn, abandon, make outcast)…and to protect them from unnecessary embarrassment.
That said, still those who know you know that you will not knowingly expose us to people who might harm us, that you would give warning if truly needed, and that you do NOT endorse anything in which you do not believe. I am sorry if some people mistook your instructions here and considered this somehow deceptive. I, personally, did not see any of it that way. The exposed “man” is “every man!”
The second post explained not only your intents and more about human nature (the how’s and why’s of different responses), but also emphasized the value, risks and considerations in using controversy in marketing.
Taken together, these two highly creative and expertly written posts comprised an outstanding copywriting and marketing lesson while displaying again your quiet genius.
No, I despise manipulation… but I do love intrigue. Apparently, a lot of other people do, too!
Your loyal friend,
Dear Ken,
You prove your point on how to stand out in a noisy world.
The fact is that all interaction is manipulation in one form or another and those who deny that or wish not to believe that they manipulate too, need to learn more about themselves before jumping on the judgment band-wagon on you, or anyone else for that matter.
Everyone refuses to believe that they manipulate but if you’re a parent/single parent, husband/wife, girlfriend/boyfriend, single/married, doctor/lawyer, etc. etc., if you are alive, you manipulate AND on a continual basis.
It isn’t BAD or GOOD to manipulate unless you manipulate someone into killing them self or to commit some heinous crime. However, manipulation is what we do all the time whether we do it consciously or unconsciously. I prefer to, and apparently you do too, do it consciously.
I am a bit surprised that some noted people here took the high road but not shocked by it. I feel those that did should look into who they are and understand the human condition a bit more.
I read your post and wanted to find out who the culprit(s) were and then realized I already know who they are, so do they and so do others. They just wanted to hear it from you, that’s all. Great marketing (manipulation) lesson here for all to learn from. I got a kick out of it, really. It was a GOTCHA!
Oh, BTW, if you’re a direct, online or off line marketer, then you are a MANIPULATOR of the highest order. I’m surprised you (other people) don’t know that about yourself/themselves. OK, ’nuff said.
Peace out.
Jorge
Hi Ken,
I consider it an honor to be called your friend!!!!!! You never said anything to make people believe that one friend had in any way caused damage or harm to the other friend, just let them down. I, personally have let my friends down on many occasions and strived to make things right. Sometimes I’ve been able to and sometimes not. To have a friend who loves me as I am, in spite of all my warts and flaws, and disappointing behavior is to have a friend to cherish indeed.
Thanks again for being my friend and for all the times I have let you down, please forgive me.
hugg,hugg
huggerlady
Hi Ken,
I wanted to get here yesterday and here it is today! Well better late than never.
This is the blog poswt that keeps on teaching and giving it appears.
I learned something about myself and human nature from your first post, which it appears was your underlying intention. I thought it was (and still think) it is a magnificent lesson dressed up in wolves’ clothing. Communication and marketing dressed up as controversy.
I find the comments and reactions, interpretations, take-aways of all those commenting fascinating. It really goes to show you that human beings are a very diverse collection of consciousness.
What a study in human nature! And what an interesting menagerie to market into!
In Joy,
Amy
twitter: http://twitter.com/allaboutenergy
http://allabout-energy.com
Wealth Abundance Joy [Amy Flynn]’s last blog post..Just Say No & Transcend Fear and Negativity in A Snap!
I think Mary Grace sums it up well.
quote
She wonders if I was not going to tell you who we need to watch out for, why say anything at all?
She also thinks that the way this was done just pointed the finger of suspicion at everyone and created an atmosphere of lack of trust in our “family” and believes sometimes things are better left unsaid if the truth cannot be told.
end quote:
I stumbled here looking for something else. I understand the JV world a little and I’m commenting as an outsider.
I’m also old enough to give an educated opinion on this. In fact, for what little hair I have left I share some of your color.
Mary Grace is correct.
I believe you really shot yourself in the foot. You damaged your group for a long time. Nothing you can say or do will ever recapture the camaraderie you may have had. Whether this person really exists or not is immaterial at this point. I can see the speculation in the posts above me.
Take your group out of the picture, and use a parable from some world outside your own, and you could have had a positive impact.