It's Not Personal...It's Just Business!

It happens in the life of an entrepreneur at least once, the people you want to support you don't! It's almost like a rite of passage. Last weekend, I sent out another email blast of "Threaded" our digital digest. It went out on a Saturday so I knew that the weekend numbers would be 'interesting'. I was somewhat confident in the success of this issue because of the four day weekend, but what I got instead was a rude awakening! 

Before I could process the report of opened emails, I noticed that issue had an unsubscriber from our mailing list.  I researched the email address and realized that it was management for an A-List gospel artist. I received their card four years ago and they never replied to my email. I wasn't too upset about it because they have never reciprocated communication. It's alright...it's not personal, it's just business!

From there, I looked at other unsubscribers from the list. The list was surprising, family, friends and other media colleagues had all unsubscribed from the mailout. Some gave reasons and some didn't. I get email blasts in each of my emails everyday. It's not often that I unsubscribe, I just don't open them. 

Adding to my frustration, there are media jobs I applied to that never responded but added me to their email list. There is one artist; I shot photos of one of their concerts here and sent them to their team. I never even got so much as a "thank you" or my interview requested, but when the artists started a blog, I was on the email list. 

Interesting, ain't it?!? So, I feel the pain of the unsubscribers BUT...in my initial email, I let them know what "Threaded" was and what it would become. Some left at the beginning and others left over time. Kind of like swatting a fly...you may not swat the first time it grazes your face, but after a few passes you're ready to take it down! That's how I process those unsubscribers. Just swatting a fly. But my friends-people I actually know. My family? How could they?!? 

Hold on...it's not personal- it's just business! That revelation was like a salve to my wounded self confidence! You see, as with any undertaking, it's impossible to predict who will go with you! Some people will start and just can't finish. Some people will jump on the bandwagon after a few successes and some people will be true to themselves and never support you! It's ok, in fact, it's not personal...it's business! 

In life,there will be people that 'unsubscribe' to your story of building success or sustaining a comfortable level of living. It's ok...you know the rest! Not only that, you (me too) have to learn how to rock with the ones that rock with you! Dry your eyes and get back to work, there are people waiting on you to "make it do what it do, baby!"

Today began a new work week and news cycle at SMG, I had to saddle up and get back to it. Many of the news stories that went our last weekend, remain unread, relying on traffic from the e-blast. That too, is ok. The lesson I've gleaned from this is painfully simple. I am again pairing down my list. 

It's been said that bigger is better, I'll say that numbers don't lie! I'm back to work at my desk and back at it. Work doesn't wait and we'd all be wise to work through life's many lessons! I've got too many blessings to waste time counting losses! 

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Conversely, Facebook will deny you a blue check (verified) based on your response to messages in your like page inbox. Let me break that down for you: When people message your business like page, the swiftness with which you reply determines your status. 

Often times, I get ridiculous emails in my like page inbox. I just look at them and wince and others I overlook altogether. It wasn't until I noticed that Facebook tracks your reply times and lack of replies. There's even a note at the top of your page reminding you to reply sooner to increase your chances of achieving a blue check. 

Here's the lesson: As a sole proprietorship entrepreneur, I can't operate my business as if its personal! Even though I AM MY BUSINESS, I have to represent the company (on Facebook). My tendencies as a person can't be the tendencies of my business or else it will delay the status I seek to achieve! (Read that again). 

I had to make an adjustment...this personal adjustment was good for business!

Read the latest edition of "Threaded" 

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