There is this Facebook group called “The Cult Of Copy” run by Colin Theriot (an awesome copywriter by the way). If you want to learn about copywriting, join it, just know it runs a little bit like the Warrior Forum meets Hunger Games so brace yourself.
Anyways, I got a message from a client of mine back on Thursday that my name was getting slung around in the group and that I should check it out.
So I had my “spies” do some undercover work (I left “The Cult” a while back because I found myself spending more time on Facebook than working on my own business… it’s that good of a group).
And what they found didn’t make me happy at all.
It was embarrassing, humiliating, and infuriating.
My initial reaction was to jump in and defend myself. To argue. To “Stand my ground”. It was purely an emotional reaction.
And I’m so glad I went for a long run instead of doing that. (I’m also so grateful for Ben Settle’s recent podcast “The Low-class Jackass Marketer” for helping me keep my head on straight)
Reacting emotionally to stuff like that NEVER works. Nobody EVER benefits. It’s a lose-lose all around.
But I can’t just let it go.
That doesn’t work either.
If my business (read: livelihood) is getting “attacked” I need to do something about that.
So what am I going to do?
Turn this situation to my advantage.
Just think about what I have been given here:
A completely FREE survey of what people think of me and my service.
I didn’t even have to set it up!
Someone else did all the hard work for me and I’ve gotten PRICELESS feedback from both past clients AND people who have seen my ads floating around town (read: prospects).
Some of their comments are incredibly valid.
Some are incredibly stupid and frankly untrue.
(And you have to be very careful when sifting through feedback to recognize which ones are which)
ANY business can improve, and mine is so new I’m still experiencing growing pains on a daily basis.
And this is why I am SO grateful for that Cult Of Copy thread.
Even if it hurt.
It saves me SO MUCH time and guesswork.
From this single thread I now have a list of 5+ action items to IMMEDIATELY implement into my business.
THANK YOU Cult Of Copy haters!
But…
I’m not going to internalize it.
And when people say bad things about YOU on the Internet (and that WILL happen) you can’t internalize it either.
This is business. You can’t bat 1,000% all the time. Each of the people that have commented on that thread have threads about them with similar comments in other groups. I know, because I research ALL my clients before accepting them…
It’s the nature of having your face out there.
So you need to focus on the good. The people you WANT to work with.
Not the people who spend their days trashing other businesses on forums and Facebook groups.
They make you exactly $0.00… and if you let them they will take ALL of your time.
I choose to focus on this feedback instead:
“WOW, guys! One hour and 27 minutes to turn this around… I’m very impressed. It punches like Pacquiao. I’m going to look at it again after the show, but I’m going live with this now. What excellent work. Thank you!
More to come tomorrow on the remaining two items.”
“our client [NAME REMOVED] is VERY happy with your latest script we made a video from.. i wanted to share the comments:
‘Great Job [NAME REMOVED] … YOU KILLED IT BUDDY!!!
PLEASE THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM!’
‘Holy Shit!!!! THIS IS UNBELIEVALBLE!!!
YOU’RE A GENIUS!!’ “
“I just got my draft back from Mike. He knocked it outta the park on the first draft. Highly recommend and I personally will be using him again soon! You really can’t go wrong with his services. I feel like I got a $10,000 sales copy for pennies. Thanks”
And you should too.
Find the people you like working with, and don’t spend too much time worrying about everyone else.
It’s just not worth it.
To your success,
Mike
P.S. I am moving the “Trash That Ad” Episode 2 release to tomorrow. I thought it more timely to send this email today.