Just Leave Them Alone

Sep 7, 2011 | Filed Under business

You know in life there are just certain things you shouldn’t do. The Christians have a whole list of them. I like lists, nice and tidy.

Being a small business online there are TONS of things you shouldn’t do, and lists to go with them. Covering every aspect from creating a website to securing your SEO to connecting with your potential customers via social networks. The ‘No Don’ts’ are glaring.

Yet, the innocent little business owner stumbles onto the web and they make every mistake ever written. And we should let them.

Just shut your mouth and let them. Let them find out for themselves.

Why? Because I’ve discovered a majority of small businesses don’t want to be told they are doing it wrong. They are already working 16 hour days and the last thing they want is a direct lesson or a scolding.

Let them find out organically. That’s the best way to learn anyway. We all know that. Experience and personal discovery are the strongest, ‘stickiest’ of all the learning tools. Don’t shove an article in a newcomers face and say, “you’re doing it wrong and here’s proof.”

Don’t bother to show them. If they came into this world by themselves, knowing that there are hundreds of trained professionals around to do it for them…if they came into it alone…then by god leave them alone. That’s what they want and that’s cool.

Maybe somewhere down the road they’ll figure out they can’t do it, they need help and they’ll call you. If so, super.

If you force yourself…even in the nicest way they are not going to cooperate, believe me. You could offer them your services for free and they will end up blowing you off. Unless you let them come to you.

That’s the whole social marketing thing. For instance, I’m going to build this flipping mountain and either you will come or not. Not my problem. If my mountain sucks, I guess it is. But if my mountain is appealing then you’ll find me.

So leave people alone…get out of their faces and just do what you do. Do it well…and they will be running to you.

(Of course this does not mean that I’M going to stop being all pushy and stuff…;-) *Biscuit~!)

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http://www.facebook.com/people/Rod-Allen/1543511010 Rod Allen

I think it depends Janet. If one of my biz peers are hitting a speed bump in biz a little fast, I’ll let them…but if they are running off a cliff, I’ll reach out, share my world view, listen to theirs, and hopefully they will hit the brakes. In biz, if I have no vested interest, they pay for services, but if it’s a friend/associate, my role isn’t to ‘fix’ their problem, but still to be their for them when necessary.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Rod-Allen/1543511010 Rod Allen

I think it depends Janet. If one of my biz peers are hitting a speed bump in biz a little fast, I’ll let them…but if they are running off a cliff, I’ll reach out, share my world view, listen to theirs, and hopefully they will hit the brakes. In biz, if I have no vested interest, they pay for services, but if it’s a friend/associate, my role isn’t to ‘fix’ their problem, but still to be their for them when necessary.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Rod-Allen/1543511010 Rod Allen

I think it depends Janet. If one of my biz peers are hitting a speed bump in biz a little fast, I’ll let them…but if they are running off a cliff, I’ll reach out, share my world view, listen to theirs, and hopefully they will hit the brakes. In biz, if I have no vested interest, they pay for services, but if it’s a friend/associate, my role isn’t to ‘fix’ their problem, but still to be their for them when necessary.
Anonymous

Janet my best customers all gave it a try first and knew they were over their heads. I built my business on the customer calling me and never having to call them for new business. I don’t understand all the SEO Experts with all the time cold calling on customers. If they were that good they should be buried weeks behind in good paying SEO work.

Got another Sunday night free for another podcast !! I am inviting if you are accepting.
http://eurekajanet.com EurekaJanet

I absolutely agree with you, Rod. Although I’m really directing my POV to little businesses who are not focused initially on Networking and Media…but the little restaurant, the little gift shop owner. They are the ones I’m speaking of…the ones who need to understand for themselves the intricacies of the business. And realize for themselves that they either need my help or not. But of course, if I see a friend headed quickly downhill I’m going to jump out and grab them. Friends are friends…that’s what we’re here for~!
http://eurekajanet.com EurekaJanet

Hey Robb…That’s what I’m talking about…if I keep my head down and keep doing my business they come…when they are ready. Within the last 24 hours I had a ‘friend’ call in desperate need of help. They had gotten themselves in a real jam. I was able to step in and turn it around immediately. I don’t and can’t do what they do (run a school) and they don’t know how to do what I do…this happens all the time. Eventually, when the need is high we find each other.

Cold calling? Ick.

Sunday night? When? I’m sure interested…last time was a blast~!
http://www.nolacooper.com Nola Cooper

I kinda follow along with what Rod said. If I see something awful that could really cause a problem, I feel like I have to say something. Just to make them aware. And, I try to do it in the nicest way possible, make it light-hearted…ya know? I can be too much of a people-pleaser at times, but I mean well!
http://eurekajanet.wordpress.com Eureka Janet

I certainly know what you mean, Nola…and I wouldn’t let someone go up in flames either, if I could help it. But I would take the person’s temperature first. Some people just get nasty when you jump in offering solutions or even the simplest help. Or, if they let you assist them, they get bossy and irate if it isn’t their exact vision. Which we know it won’t be. They have no boundaries. But we do…be had better~!
http://eurekajanet.wordpress.com Eureka Janet

Hey Robb…That’s what I’m talking about…if I keep my head down and keep doing my business they come…when they are ready. Within the last 24 hours I had a ‘friend’ call in desperate need of help. They had gotten themselves in a real jam. I was able to step in and turn it around immediately. I don’t and can’t do what they do (run a school) and they don’t know how to do what I do…this happens all the time. Eventually, when the need is high we find each other.Cold calling? Ick.Sunday night? When? I’m sure interested…last time was a blast~!
http://eurekajanet.wordpress.com Eureka Janet

I absolutely agree with you, Rod. Although I’m really directing my POV to little businesses who are not focused initially on Networking and Media…but the little restaurant, the little gift shop owner. They are the ones I’m speaking of…the ones who need to understand for themselves the intricacies of the business. And realize for themselves that they either need my help or not. But of course, if I see a friend headed quickly downhill I’m going to jump out and grab them. Friends are friends…that’s what we’re here for~!
http://www.social-media-design.com/ Lori Randall Stradtman

Well said Janet! When the student is ready, the teacher appears. Good not to force the process. And that goes for marketing too, as I’m sure you’ll agree!

Just Leave Them Alone

I Found It~! in the Studio