Negative Balance

The entire Carruthers household is on baby-watch so I will be taking some paternity leave shortly – mainly to do nothing other than hold her hand while making helpful noises at appropriate times while Caroline abuses the male species while dreaming of celibacy. Please do not be offended if your email goes unanswered over the next while.

Negative comments are much more effective than positive ones. I know this because they have a disproportionate effect on our lives. Let me give you an example.

Over the past few months this email has been growing. Literally. Normally it runs to about 600 words. Over the past while that has stretched to as many as 1200 words. And 2 people in the past two weeks have been kind enough to point out to me that I am waffling, need to get to the point faster, and generally stop rambling because life is too short and nobody has any time any more.

I cannot tell you how effective these two comments have been in making me review my writing style, and seriously consider producing a tight business email.

So effective, in fact, that I totally ignored the 20 emails each week telling me how funny that week’s article had been, or how it had made somebody laugh out loud, or spew their coffee, or re-look at an aspect of their business, or put something in perspective. On top of which subscriptions are rising, and unsubscriptions are falling.

Which brings me to the point of this very short weekly: whenever you face a barrage of criticism (even if it is from one person) take a step back and get some balance from the folk who are telling you that you’re doing good. And then consider the 98% of the rest of the folk who don’t care either way – at least not enough to comment. And then look at your resultant sales. And only then, think about changing.

Every now and then somebody will take issue with my recommending The Insider Secrets to Marketing your Business on the Internet. It’s too brash, or too American, to work in SA – and that’s why they refuse to invest in it. If this Rudl oke really wants to sell he should catch a life and not be so pushy, they say.

I smile, because that same style has multiplied my income twenty-five-fold over the past 5 years, and because that Rudl-oke’s team is one of the most successful marketing firms on the Internet. You can lead a horse to water…

Bottom lines:

• If one person tells you you’re wrong, and 99 like what you do, who has the problem? But, if one person likes your style, but 99 don’t, then maybe you should re-look at yourself.
• If you having nothing nice to say, say nothing, or at least be constructive.
• This article totals 497 words. After Danielle’s arrival I will wax lyrical again! Have a donnerse exceptional week, and if you too are struck by a sudden arrival, may you and your child(ren) be blessed.