Comments on: Why People Hate Marketers

By: Anna

Anna — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:45:59 +0000

This post is absolutely wonderful. I’ve been thinking about setting up some kind of Internet business or blog for some time now, but I was VERY uncomfortable with manipulative tactics. They imply that, in fact, you think you’re cleverer than the other guy, and that people out there are just twats, waiting to fall into your trap. Imagine the consequences of entertaining such a world view when the Internet becomes your workplace and main meeting point with others (and all of your clients): you’d despise the whole human race and think you’re the only smart person around. I.e., you’re ALL ALONE. That would depress me soooo much I’d flee back to the first cubicle…

By: Shannon L. Clark

Shannon L. Clark — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:34:12 +0000

Thanks Chris!

I’m glad to hear that there’s another way. I have always felt a little uncomfortable with the manipulation of some internet marketing. I wasn’t sure how to go about doing my own. Thanks for the enlightenment!

By: Steve McAllister

Steve McAllister — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:46:28 +0000

Thanks for the great post. I was referred by Baker at Man vs. Debt and he was right on the money about you.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:43:37 +0000

Chris – John’s comment doesn’t surprise me. His view is, after all, in line with conventional “marketing” thinking.

What did surprise me was that it took you more than a nano-second to realize, “Jeeze! He really doesn’t get it!!”

Presumably he meant well, but – Seriously – it’s like he fired off that email without reading a single word you’ve ever written.

I don’t think there is anything wrong, per se, with requiring an initial opt-in. But (IMHO) your marketing decisions should depend on the model and the mission. Not on what everyone else is doing.

What John didn’t “get” is that YOUR decision is perfectly consistent with YOUR marketing model and mission. Instead, he tried to help you to fit into HIS marketing model and mission. Which may work fine for him, but is not at all in line with what you have said you want.

He wasn’t “listening”. And so he tried to give you directions without first understanding where you want to go.

Lesson: Epic Marketing FAIL.

By: Joana

Joana — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:07:25 +0000

You continually inspire, and will continue to get my support. (I recently bought your Unconventional Guide to Art and Money). Thank you.

By: Denise

Denise — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:39:06 +0000

I have worked in higher education marketing for many years. Today, I can’t even bear the sound of the word. I’ve grown tired of wanting students so the budget could balance and not so they could have a great education. Tired of demands to engineer scenarios that would “create a buzz” on the campus. I learned the hard way that you can’t pretend to be that which you are not, indefinitely. You may think you’re hiding it well but it’s clear for others to see. Marketing has become the art of manipulation, when it could be the means to connect “producer” and “product” in meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships. What’s required is a major paradigm shift from zero-sum thinking to a “there’s-more-than-enough to go around” approach to life. The truth is that there really is more than enough for all!

By: Trackback from Project Heresy

Trackback from Project Heresy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:15:28 +0000

[...] would have then allowed me to pitch other things I did at the list. That to me feels more and more manipulative. I believe we’ve gone from that type of mindset to more of a “Freedom of Ideas” [...]

By: Johannes

Johannes — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:04:11 +0000

Hi Chris,

This post is absolutely outstanding and so true. By focusing on creating a cash machine (as so many others do) you would completely destroy the purpose of your project. I feel very inspired by your commitment to really add value to other people’s life and making this the top priority while trusting that this will also pay off financially in the long run.

The world needs more people with this attitude and people’s opinion re marketers would change dramatically.

Cheers,
Johannes

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:23:54 +0000

Thank you for existing.

By: Jacki Rand

Jacki Rand — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:38:25 +0000

Dear Chris,

I have only just laid eyes on your site this evening. Two thoughts have occurred to me nearly simultaneously. 1. He’s a scammer in disguise. 2. He’s not a scammer in disguise, who might contribute to rebuilding trust in the world in the long run. So, I’ll stay tuned. I’m hoping for number 2. BTW, just to amplify your point about John’s email, my younger brother (50ish) quit a $100,000 job to create his own business online. When he finally unveiled the “product” to me, I was shocked. It was everything you’ve already discussed about marketers and the opposite of your philosophy. His deal failed, he ran out of money, and I ended up supporting him for over a year on my credit card. He’s always wanted the quick big money. For every person who makes the quick big money there must be gazillions who fail. My brother’s misadventures have created a ton of bad relations all the way around and it will be a long time before he gets back on his feet financially.

I’ll keep watching. I am hoping that your blog will support my efforts to do something that might make me some money, but more importantly will wrest a neighborhood from the clutches of slumlords composed mainly of small town lawyers and their wives. My friends and I have created a neighborhood association to take back this historic community from the absentee, could-care-less landlords and create a neighborhood full of affordable homes for the working class, including the working poor.

Peace,
Jacki