Are You Selling Baldness Cream to Seth Godin?

Danny, I didn't give you permission to quote my question to Seth Godin :P

Great point, particularly in your comments about the market research. There are so many great avenues for people to sell their services via listening but it sucks to see the spammers tarnishing it.

A while back I had a guy wanting to hire me to post Facebook updates and Twitter comments on his behalf. I didn't know his business/industry from a bar of soap and tried to explain that these were places to engage with potential customers. Having the necessary knowledge of the industry would be the difference between good and bad social interaction. Similar to hiring me as one of his sales staff without any knowledge of his business.

I told him that I don't do what he is after and he didn't really care much for my response. He found someone willing to do it though... the result?

He has a Facebook page that pumps out "We offer X" and a Twitter account that does the same without engaging anyone. In the words of Kapil... "A monologue at best".

Dude, this is so LOL that I almost woke up the neighbors. Seriously, well done and excellent point.

Danny, the pic of Seth made me spit out my beer. ;)

And can I get an "Amen" regarding MARKET RESEARCH. Come on folks - social media is about talking with people so talk to them and find out what they want, what then need, how they perceive you/your products and your competition. Listen, learn - grow.

Now stepping off my soapbox, let me ask why so many feel the need to push social media and cut market research. :)

Thanks to all of you for taking my inquiry seriously, and Danny for letting me commandeer as much of this post as I can.
Let me dodge the analogy of hair cream. Suppose I respond to the "follow your passion" advice and take that to such an obscure niche that you can't make a sustainable income from it? Should I find this out ahead of time, rather than subject my passion to the indignation of obscurity and sinking net worth? Or should I depend on generating enough interest that a market will find me and buy what I offer? If it's the latter, what do I tell my wife?

You can't teach an old dog a new trick, Danny. Spammers apart, folks who sell without understanding the relevant - and connecting with their audience fall into this category.

The whole point is to create products that are the best - and which solve a real, tangible need. Not like snake oil ;)

I think, selling is moot. The only real thing is connecting with your audience, making them aware of the need - and the solve - and letting them make the final call.

Sure, I might "sell" less that I could by aggressive (and/or pushy) marketing - but I'll have a far loyal customer base that's totally tuned into me for the long run.

Rick - to your point, I'd also like to add that it works best when your audience finds you. The other way round end up being ephemeral - because you never know who else is finding the same people as you are :)

Brilliant analogy, Danny. I wish every spammer who reads this would get it, but I'm afraid they won't. Call my cynical, but in my opinion most spammers can't see beyond their own noses. If they did - they would stop.

Sidenote: I've been in that very setting listening to Seth in NYC before. Too bad I didn't think to sell him that hair growth cream. I'd be rich by now. ;) Haha...

I don't really know what really goes on during events like those because I've not been to one, but I have heard that they don't really "convert" into customers. I know if I was going to an event like those, I don't think I will have the mindset to buy anything from anyone.

Do i have the wrong mindset?

Love the analogy and it's so true. I have a hard time comprehending why people who spam do what they do. Do they REALLY think it's working?

If so, then there's some major opportunity for education there.

Danny, I didn't give you permission to quote my question to Seth Godin :P

Great point, particularly in your comments about the market research. There are so many great avenues for people to sell their services via listening but it sucks to see the spammers tarnishing it.

A while back I had a guy wanting to hire me to post Facebook updates and Twitter comments on his behalf. I didn't know his business/industry from a bar of soap and tried to explain that these were places to engage with potential customers. Having the necessary knowledge of the industry would be the difference between good and bad social interaction. Similar to hiring me as one of his sales staff without any knowledge of his business.

I told him that I don't do what he is after and he didn't really care much for my response. He found someone willing to do it though... the result?

He has a Facebook page that pumps out "We offer X" and a Twitter account that does the same without engaging anyone. In the words of Kapil... "A monologue at best".

Dude, this is so LOL that I almost woke up the neighbors. Seriously, well done and excellent point.

Danny, the pic of Seth made me spit out my beer. ;)

And can I get an "Amen" regarding MARKET RESEARCH. Come on folks - social media is about talking with people so talk to them and find out what they want, what then need, how they perceive you/your products and your competition. Listen, learn - grow.

Now stepping off my soapbox, let me ask why so many feel the need to push social media and cut market research. :)

Thanks to all of you for taking my inquiry seriously, and Danny for letting me commandeer as much of this post as I can.
Let me dodge the analogy of hair cream. Suppose I respond to the "follow your passion" advice and take that to such an obscure niche that you can't make a sustainable income from it? Should I find this out ahead of time, rather than subject my passion to the indignation of obscurity and sinking net worth? Or should I depend on generating enough interest that a market will find me and buy what I offer? If it's the latter, what do I tell my wife?

You can't teach an old dog a new trick, Danny. Spammers apart, folks who sell without understanding the relevant - and connecting with their audience fall into this category.

The whole point is to create products that are the best - and which solve a real, tangible need. Not like snake oil ;)

I think, selling is moot. The only real thing is connecting with your audience, making them aware of the need - and the solve - and letting them make the final call.

Sure, I might "sell" less that I could by aggressive (and/or pushy) marketing - but I'll have a far loyal customer base that's totally tuned into me for the long run.

Rick - to your point, I'd also like to add that it works best when your audience finds you. The other way round end up being ephemeral - because you never know who else is finding the same people as you are :)

Brilliant analogy, Danny. I wish every spammer who reads this would get it, but I'm afraid they won't. Call my cynical, but in my opinion most spammers can't see beyond their own noses. If they did - they would stop.

Sidenote: I've been in that very setting listening to Seth in NYC before. Too bad I didn't think to sell him that hair growth cream. I'd be rich by now. ;) Haha...

I don't really know what really goes on during events like those because I've not been to one, but I have heard that they don't really "convert" into customers. I know if I was going to an event like those, I don't think I will have the mindset to buy anything from anyone.

Do i have the wrong mindset?

Love the analogy and it's so true. I have a hard time comprehending why people who spam do what they do. Do they REALLY think it's working?

If so, then there's some major opportunity for education there.

Let me ask, with no sarcasm intended: so how do we find the right audience? I have something in mind, and I'm afraid that too few people will want it. Links to other posts, even other blogs, would be appreciated.