I almost deleted this post. I hate giving trolls any oxygen. And, the coach in me is fed up with the BS. Sometimes we must defend our Tiny, Bold Kingdom.
If LinkedIN spam drives you nuts, I am with you. But what happens when an in-person cold caller won’t leave?
Last week we broke down some myths— and a proven formula for breakthrough results. You can find that here: Breakthrough Results Back Tat
The owner of our office built a great gym in his heated garage. He even added a steam room. Essential oils and everything. Not a bad spot to work through winter. After lifting heavy stuff, I teach myself how to hit the speed bag, then wrap with a deep steam.
There's always new pressures in running our business. I look for new ways to release, and integrate those pressures. A stressor I didn't see coming? AI-powered spammers on LinkedIN. Hundreds, if not thousands of emails targeting coaches. Barking about qualified leads, big ticket sales, etc.
If it looks, smells, and tastes like Spam, then...
First, they like your post. Then some impersonal connection request, likely written with AI. Often, these turds need no introduction so you don’t get one. You can guess the rest. They ask for, or demand a meeting, followed by follow-up automations asking "Did you read my last email?" They also scrape your email, and have some unlucky recent college grad record a video of your site. The poor kid reading an AI written script, in front of a screencast of your site, promising money and huge results.
Warning. ⚠️ You're about to meet the Gen-X Dad in me.
I'm a card carrying member of: This is Bullsh*t Generation. Seth Godin didn't wage his great war for Permission-Based Marketing in vain. Permission to work with me, or on behalf of the brand I built matters. You hammer me with empty tactics to take your meeting? Now you want me to pay you to fill my calendar with people your system has beat on?
This is like people claiming sobriety while scarfing edibles. Or, selling plant-based medicine retreats over learning to meditate. The sleaze of calling yourself a guru for building 7-figure coaching businesses.
Out. My. Face. Point your bullsh*t someplace else.
I've never considered myself as just another coach, and I left a successful sales career for a reason. When I worked in sales, I always engaged the human being on the other end. Sales is relationships, and trust. Even Michael Scott from Dunder Mifflin knows this. Pressuring everyone else to make your number is a Dick Move. Spammers have no concern, or conscience. I've replied with thoughtful questions. No reply. The next morning, I receive 5-10 more from new companies. There are always more aspiring coaches.
These tactics have the same level of soul as the robo-calls we receive during elections. I've dedicated my full soul to running our soul-based business. I've fired clients for unethical practices. None of it is easy, but neither is having integrity.
Last week I was walking back into my office from the gym. I had my steam on. Full vibe on, all endorphins kicking. Feeling great about the day, with client sessions about to start.
Then, the doorbell rings…
I don't usually answer it. Another tenant takes more in-person meetings. Not sure what made me that day.
A building contractor walks in. I notice he's wearing sunglasses. He starts to hand me his card. I smile and ask, "Hello, do you have an appointment? Who are you here to see?"
He said our landlord. I ask, "Does he know you were coming?"
“He won’t take my calls so I want to leave him these cards”. I am handed two of his cards, and start to feel his pressure.
I ask if he saw the no solicitation sign. By now the fact that he won't remove his sunglasses is troubling. He's stopping square in our foyer and won't move. He keeps asking to see the owner of the property. I said, “now you're making me late for my appointment, and I regret answering the door. I need you to leave now."
Normally, it takes more to trigger my anger. But I could see he was using his size to try to intimidate me into getting him a meeting. I handed him back his cards, and tell him to get out.
He said “Thanks for being an a**hole.” I leaned out the door, smiled and yelled: "Good Day, Sir!"
Except I didn't say fudge. I said something I wasn't proud of, clearly venting the LinkedIN spam pressure.
Remember: We are coaches in part, because we want to believe like Ted Lasso. Believe in all the things, all the people, including easy ways to live the dream and make all the money. We are also Coaches— who bow to noble truths like integrity and compassion. All of us can cut corners, and push others around to hit our goals. We are human, and the pressure is real. Fewer humans are willing to slow down and coach— which includes making a stand for our better nature.
The tiny, bold move is to walk the road less traveled.
“Cuz I'm a man, not a boy,
and there are things you can't avoid,
you have to face them
When you're not prepared to face them”
-The Flaming Lips
Anyone noticing anything similar on LinkedIn? I’m open to being a tiny, tender snowflake! 😆 Comment below 👇🏻
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Ooof! This is a TOUGH one, and I feel your pain. Makes me think of that good ole' cliché, "Desperate times call for desperate measures." You are strong AND kind...but in the face (literally and virtually) of unrelenting sales pressure, everyone's got their breaking point. Boundaries FTW. P2C FTW. P2F FTW. I see you glowing...