DISQUS

katbron · 1 year ago

Good information Lisa. I've not experienced this Avon Lady approach, but it is about as tactical as the women who have approached me while I grocery shop, underwear shop or even at my doctor's office with the line "has anyone ever told you how pretty you are?" While caught up in the flatter, they suddenly descend into a Mary Kay sales pitch. Embarrassed that I was sucked in by the compliment and annoyed at the approach. I quickly say I'm allergic and disappear, feeling somewhat violated. I've had that same feeling when approached by solicitors on Twitter. Wanting new friends initially, I quickly realized the mutually-beneficial relationships are far more satisfying.

Lisa Hoffmann · 1 year ago

Right on! Annoying prospects is never a good idea.

Virginia · 1 year ago

Lisa,
Thank you for highlighting an increasingly common error. In this era of instantaneous communication, some people forget that information needs to flow both ways to be considered a "conversation".Simply blurting or broadcasting isn't enough to interest people. In fact, it seems to have the opposite effect.

If I have learned anything delving into these Web2.0 spaces; it is that no one likes a loudmouth, and if you have nothing but noise to offer, best keep it to yourself. Instead, join the conversation, or simply listen and take to heart what others are so generously offering for free! Bring something of value to the process and you will receive value in return.
I follow you on Twitter, and I think you exemplify this idea with both your Tweets and blogs. Cheers!

Lisa Hoffmann · 1 year ago

When it comes to conversation, two-way is best. Otherwise you're just talking to yourself. Thanks for following me on twitter!

heatherrast · 1 year ago

What a great job you did at making your point easily, quickly, and with clarity. Your story crystalizes an important marketing tenet, which stems from the brand (in this case, personal brand)--there has to be trust for a relationship to exist. The Avon lady wasn't known, and therefore wasn't yet trusted. But her tactic presumed a relationship before it could even germinate. I venture to say, had she accompanied her children to the door, waited patiently for them to receive acknowledgement & goodies, then mentioned she had hoped to make a few new contacts with all of her extra walking that night, would you be interested in a catalog? I'll bet that approach would at least have bought her a quick skim during the morning cereal and coffee.

Lisa Hoffmann · 1 year ago

The worst part: I bet she has no idea what she's doing wrong. And I bet you're right!

Eric Brown · 1 year ago

Hi Lisa,
We certainly live in an environment today that is Permission Based Marketing, to use Seth's phrase. But based on your story, your Mom would have always felt that way, and so sometimes I think we have just come full circle.

Lisa Hoffmann · 1 year ago

Maybe so - but heightened awareness and changes in consumer expectations are raising the bar, nonetheless. Thanks for stopping by!

Kyle Lacy · 1 year ago

Great post Lisa. You are reaching pretty low when the form of interruption marketing you are using... is interrupting a candy hand off. Personality rules in small business, whether you are in the vanity business or not.

tom martin · 1 year ago

Please tell me you made this up. That has to be about the stupidest thing I've ever heard of a person doing. Hope you don't mind, reposted with props to you on my blog www.tommartin.typepad.com. Just too funny not to share.