Article
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Think about it.
Everybody knows that person who only calls when they either need something, or want to sell you an idea/product. You see their number pop up in caller ID, and quickly ignore it. (**no one has ever screened one of my calls in this manner, for the record... I'm sure of it)
The point is, it's annoying. I hate when people bother me in a department store. I hate when someone starts "pitching me" when I'm at a bar. Don't do that. Talk to me like a human being, ask me some questions, and try to be genuine about it.
Now think about Google. It's a similar concept. Use your own searching habits to prove this point. How often do you click on a sponsored link? Does it seem like someone is selling you something? You're right. According to MarketingSherpa, 75% of clicks happen in the organic results (the ones people can't pay for).
You have to earn your customers, and most blogging problems start there. People don't want to take that extra step past their website. Start telling stories! Compel me with a reason to be interested, let me find you, and stop selling to me when I'm not ready.
No One Likes To Be Sold To
Ok, maybe some people do. But I'd say it's a small percentage of people that genuinely enjoy being "sold" something, unless they are ready to buy.Think about it.
Everybody knows that person who only calls when they either need something, or want to sell you an idea/product. You see their number pop up in caller ID, and quickly ignore it. (**no one has ever screened one of my calls in this manner, for the record... I'm sure of it)
The point is, it's annoying. I hate when people bother me in a department store. I hate when someone starts "pitching me" when I'm at a bar. Don't do that. Talk to me like a human being, ask me some questions, and try to be genuine about it.
Now think about Google. It's a similar concept. Use your own searching habits to prove this point. How often do you click on a sponsored link? Does it seem like someone is selling you something? You're right. According to MarketingSherpa, 75% of clicks happen in the organic results (the ones people can't pay for).
You have to earn your customers, and most blogging problems start there. People don't want to take that extra step past their website. Start telling stories! Compel me with a reason to be interested, let me find you, and stop selling to me when I'm not ready.
