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Getting pounded

April 6, 2008 Wow. I read some pretty hurtful and unprintable responses to that last Blog posting. It seems that you were unamused by my trip to Houston and wondered, "What does this have to do with printing sales?" Let me be clear: A Blog is a place to take some liberties with ideas and thoughts and have some fun while writing about a topic. I write a monthly column for GAM that is all about printing sales. It's free. I have a weekly audio sales tip that is all about printing sales. That's free, too. Last week, when I asked for feedback from the 4200 people who get my tip, I received two comments (both kind words, btw) but no helpful hints on where people wanted me to go or what people wanted me to cover.

Years ago, I heard Chuck Jones and Fritz Freiling (sp?), the creators of Looney Tunes, interviewed. They were asked, "Did you write the cartoons for kids or adults?" The two men looked at each other and replied, "Neither. We wrote them for ourselves. The fact that others found it funny was simply coincidental." I believe Monty Python wrote with the same thought in mind.

What amazes and disappoints me is that I get zero feedback, rarely a thank you, and when someone does reach out to respond, the comment is negative or derogatory. Where is the incentive for me to contribute to this readership's success? If you don't like what you are reading in this Blog, move on. I'm truly sorry to have wasted your time. If you'd like to read something different from me, speak differently TO me.

If you are looking for ideas and assistance with your printing sales, check out the back articles in GAM. They're free. For more, you can visit my website (www.printtec.com) and click on the "Bill's Rantings" tab. Again: free.

As for this Blog, if you want a better answer (ie-better postings), I suggest that you ask a better "question:" "Dear Bill, I cannot get people to return my phone calls. Could you comment on how I might improve my success rate?" or "Hey Bill, I disagree with your view on Ad Agencies. Any chance you might write about a new emerging market for a printing rep to seek out?" Here, let me help you out:

Riddle me this, Batman:
1. What is the biggest sales challenge you are facing today?
2. What are your sales fears?
3. If I was to ask you the question, "Why aren't you selling more", what would you say?

I will meet you halfway on your gentle requests to move the subject matter closer to the issues faced by printing sales people and would appreciate your help in doing so. But I promise you that I will continue to write in a style that takes advantage of the purpose of a Blog. I ABSOLUTELY want to be of help, but without the input of the readership I will write what suits me.

I love what I do. There is nothing more rewarding than providing a tip and hearing the results some time later. I greatly appreciate the support of my clients and work with some truly remarkable people. It is an honor to be of assistance to them. If there is something I can do for you; if there is an area you'd like to know more about; if you have an unsolved sales problem, I will be a tireless resource.

In my family, you are not allowed to criticize someone unless you have praised them five times. "It's nice to know that after 35 years, people still cannot spell!" is simply rude. I think you will find it far easier to motivate me to write more helpful entries if you are the source of (at least) equal parts positive and negative comments and (at most) feedback on the kinds of things you'd like to know more about.

So, let me end this particular ranting with a word of thanks: I appreciate the kick in the fanny. Thanks for letting me know that I am not giving you what you need. I hear you. I will strive for better things. Do you hear me?

Posted by Bill Farquharson on April 6, 2008 | Comments (5)