Edition at a Glance
Quote: unapologetically weird
Tweet: is your revenue stuck?
Thought: the business friend zone
Article: email response guide
Surprise: 🌈
Different Quote
“Be your unapologetically weird self. I think authenticity is one of the most lacking things out there these days […] Weirdness is why we adore our friends. . . . Weirdness is what bonds us to our colleagues. Weirdness is what sets us apart, gets us hired. Be your unapologetically weird self. In fact, being weird may even find you the ultimate happiness.”
via Chris Sacca
Different Tweet
Different Thought
The Business Friend Zone
Ever found yourself in the "business friend-zone"?
Here's what I mean . . .
In relationships, it usually works out like this:
Guy likes girl
Guy waits on girl, caters to her every whim, is "there" for her, buys her gits, etc.
But girl doesn't like guy (not like that, anyway)
Girl says, "oh, he's so sweet...I'm so glad we're just friends"
Guy goes home and cries alone in his basement
Why? Because he's been firmly placed in the FRIEND-ZONE.
No chance of a romantic relationship.
All of the responsibilities of a real relationship with none of the advantages.
It's a real miserable place to be.
(not that I know from firsthand experience or anything...!)
. . .
Romantic relationships aside, I used to find myself in the business FRIEND-ZONE with the clients I wanted to work with.
It drove me nuts.
I was doing all the things I was "supposed" to be doing as a business:
Giving away "valuable content."
Following up on leads regularly.
Going to networking events.
Being "nice."
But all I ever seemed to get back was...
"Oh that Justin ... he's so nice, his content is so valuable ... I'm so glad we're just friends."
Translation: I like having you around but have no intention of ever working with you. I'll sign up for your mailing list. I'll devour your content. I might even tease you with a small purchase or two. But I'm never — ever — going to be a client.
Can you relate?
Ever been here?
Here's how I broke myself out of the business FRIEND-ZONE...
First, create some friction in your market.
Guys (it's usually guys, let's be honest) get put in the FRIEND-ZONE because they're bland. They try and be what they think the girl wants instead of being who they actually are.
The same thing happens in business. We try and be "all things to all people" and just end up being super boring to everyone.
Take a stand.
Say something that scares you.
Be easily approachable but not easily accessible.
Don't be afraid to piss some people off.
Induce friction.
Second, teach the "what" & sell the "how".
You've heard the saying, "why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?"
Businesses do this ALL. THE. TIME.
They give away the 'milk' because they think it'll attract buyers when all it really does is train your audience to ignore you. They know, eventually, you'll give up the goods.
Address this is by showing your market how you deeply understand the problem they're facing. This builds trust. Trust is the key to get to the next "stage."
Once they see you "get" them, the next step is providing your solution.
This part is critical.
Do not give away the solution.
Sell the solution.
Make them buy the milk.
Third, increase your opportunity volume.
Why do guys allow themselves to stay in the FRIEND-ZONE?
...because desperation kicks in and they don't think another opportunity will come along.
That's why.
Businesses get put in the FZ because they don't have a predictable, dependable way to automatically bring in new opportunities. So they think they have to move heaven and earth to keep the leads that do come in super happy.
Then they get permanently slammed into the FZ with no hope of ever getting out.
When you have a simple and predictable way to bring in leads, your fear and desperation drops about 50 million levels because — you know — another opportunity will always come along.
I hope this helps.
Staying out of the business FRIEND-ZONE is the key to you succeeding with monetizing your mind.
Different Article
If you want someone's help, expertise, or otherwise need something from another human being, I've learned that options are key. Give people an option to commit to your ask or gracefully say "no, thanks." There's a formula for letting people off the hook.
Different Surprise
We had massive storms the other night. Stepped out on the back porch when it was all done. Snapped this beautiful pic. Just incredible.
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