A reader digs my “anti-professional” philosophy:
Ben I hav been reading your blog posts and saw one about being an anti professional which i loved. I have never heard that before and it goes against so much of what I am being taught (I am a brand new newbie to IM can you tell lol). Can you give more examples of what this means??? thanks you!
Well, it’s not about being UNprofessional.
Nor is it about being squeaky clean, either.
Instead, it means things like:
- Not kissing butts (the customer is never right)
- Not whoring out your time on Flakebook and blogs answering questions or responding to comments all day (you’re too busy doing real work… or else playing…)
- Not letting just “anyone” buy (people gotta qualify)
- Seasoning your marketing with some salt if needed
- Never fearing losing a sale
- Using your own personality, regardless of if anyone likes it (or you) or not
- Telling the cold, hard truth even if it stings hearing it
- Getting comfortable with being polarizing
- Calling out nonsense when you see it
- Not caring what others think
- Not relying on clients, JV’s or affiliates (maybe you do business with ’em, but you don’t need ’em)
- And so on…
Bottom line:
You’re the guy on your horse going it alone, living by your own code of honor and following your own rules — the dude who doesn’t try to impress the customers, but always gets the sale.
Dig?
No?
Well, stick around then.
This is why I get mush cookies emailing me about the things I do and teach — rationalization hamsters spinning like tops, writing me long emails trying to explain why I’m wrong even though what I do works.
But, remember:
Anti-professional doesn’t mean UNprofessional.
You have to do business RIGHTEOUSLY.
You have to truly care about those who want the problem you solve taken care of, and be willing to take an “L” with the lukewarm or cold prospects who don’t care for your personality, don’t show respect for the way you do business and who don’t have any real intention of spending money to solve their problems to get what they want.
There’s a ho’ bunch more to this.
I’ll definitely do an “Email Players” issue on it some day.
But for now, realize:
It won’t make you popular with the “in” crowd.
(Some will even despise you.)
And so, it ain’t for the weak minded.
But in many ways it’s what my email system is based on.
And, it works for me.
Anyway, more at:
Ben Settle
