Recently, a friend came by the house.
And, one of the first things this person did is, start complaining about their home situation, how they couldn’t stand some house guests that were over, how there was all this drama and misery, etc.
It sounded awful.
And, I’m sure it was.
But I told this person to shut up.
I don’t want to hear about it.
And, if they continued to tell me all about the drama and nonsense going on… I would have to kick them out.
Why?
Because I’m a jerk?
Nope.
It’s because I live a very drama-free existence.
My home is peaceful.
And quiet.
And, well, kinda like the “Narnia” of the The Burgle.
But when someone comes in through the wardrobe door (so to speak) and enters my Narnia… and they start complaining about all the chaos that goes on in their world… it’s no different than tracking dirt into my house.
No.
Wipe yo feet.
Or, get outta here.
No Telmarines allowed.
(If you got what that meant, you’ve been reading waaaaaay too much C.S. Lewis…)
Anyway, the point?
A lot of people treat their lists like this.
Saw it a lot when I used to critique emails.
People droning on about all the chaos and drama and bad stuff going on in their lives. They will tell them about how something sucks. How they are sick and depressed. How they are feeling bad, etc.
And it’s dumb.
At least, from a sales point of view.
Why?
Because when you do that, sure, you’ll get sympathy.
You’ll get attention.
You might even get a hug, little Snowflake.
But, you’ll get no sales.
And it’s like many critically-acclaimed movies (like, for example, the remake of “Of Mice And Men” starring Gary Senise several years ago) that were financial flops because nobody wants to pay $10 to be depressed.
Nobody’s going to pay you to be depressed, either.
You can do that kind a thing if there’s a point.
(Tie it into a lesson, etc.)
But otherwise, knock it off.
Be a bright light in your list’s day.
Not a suicide note.
Do that and you’ll make more sales.
Get better quality subscribers.
And, yes, have more joy.
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Ben Settle
