Here’s a tip that’s been a loooong time coming.
In fact, I’m surprised so few people talk about this.
Especially since it can have such a nasty effect on your sales, profits and peace of mind.
Anyway, here’s the scoop:
For the past several months I’ve been doing a lot of work in the golf niche. And since I basically don’t know jack you-know-what about golf, I’ve been slowly but surely getting up to speed.
And one thing I recently learned about is “Gamesmanship.”
Gamesmanship is basically when someone tries to sabotage your game both psychologically and emotionally.
It’s done through things like negative, jerky comments and innuendos while you’re playing — trying to mess with your head to screw up your game.
It’s actually pretty insidious.
And it’s why even really good players sometimes choke for no reason.
And guess what?
We have gamesmanship in marketing, too.
There’s always some snarky, “a-hole” grandstanding, never helping, and just driving peoples’ confidence into the dirt.
I see this at LEAST once per week in my own business.
I routinely get emails from know-it-alls living in their moms’ basements telling me how I’m the devil and everything I’m doing in my emails and business is “wrong.”
And trust me, nobody’s exempt from this.
In fact, “A-List” copywriter Doug D’Anna once talked about it.
In my copywriting book he briefly tells the story about when he was just getting started, slugging it out trying to get clients.
Yet one guy — who was well known in the industry — was ACTIVELY telling people to avoid him like the plague. Telling potential clients that Doug was no good. That he had no clue what he was doing, was a terrible copywriter,and not a good hire, etc.
That’s some serious mind games, if you think about it.
(BTW, Doug got a written apology from this guy later when he nabbed his first control).
Anyway, here’s the point:
Gamesmanship happens in business just like in sports.
And when it happens to you (and it WILL), recognize what it is.
Don’t let it rattle you.
And take it as a sign you’re probably doing something RIGHT.
Ben Settle
P.S. If you want to “gamesmanship proof” yourself, here’s how:
1. Shut out the nitwits (that’s why God invented the delete key).
2. Ground yourself in the fundamentals of your craft so solidly you’re impervious to anyone’s stoopid comments or half baked insults.
You can learn over 122 ways to “get grounded” like this at:
