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If you are an online Internet Marketer… you will get “those” emails that could make steam come out of your ears.
I’ve learned how to grow a thick skin and not let THAT Guy (or gal) get under my skin.
Today I got this in an email:
Hello,
How much longer will you go on about cookbooks? Your newsletter concerning public domain works was once very informative, but lately all I’ve been reading about is cooking. If you won’t continue on in your former vein, then I’ll have to unsubscribe.
This email comes from a subscriber to my Public Domain “list”. But… I think an email similar to this would eventually land in any marketers inbox.
First thought was to fire back an email that would “set him straight”. That’s the wrong attitude.
I muddled it around in my head a bit – and decided that you might learn from this experience.
THAT Guy is always going to be unhappy… and a complainer.
My Public Domain related blog has over 300 posts – don’t you think I’ve (with Logan) been sharing great public domain related information for a while? For FREE???
Plus… he is upset that I have been “going on” about cookbooks. Duh… they are public domain!!!
- * That subscription and blog has changed! Logan has left the building and I’m sharing “me”.
- * Public Domain cooking and recipe related topics are hugely popular on that blog.
- * Learning about projects (and replace the cooking niche with any other niche topic) is what you should be thinking about.
- * I can’t please everyone – so I’m not going to try.
Do you worry about the “unsubcribers”???
Don’t – you need people to subscribe to your email newsletters who “Get You”. If they don’t – no one will be happy.
When should you worry about unsubscribers?
If you have more unsubscribes than people subscribing… you are doing something wrong. That is not the case for me…. so I must be doing something right.
I’m all for constructive criticism – I’m here to help you, so it makes sense for me to listen to any suggestions or comments you send my way. Right?
If you ever feel that you need me to focus on something or cover a topic that is important to you… share that with me.
If you ever feel that I’m NOT doing things the “Old” way and you wish I’d go back or you will have to unsubscribe… get over it and hit the unsubscribe button. You and I are not going to play nice in the sandbox anyway.
UPDATE – This is an email “response” from THAT Guy(or Gal – won’t leave a name so I can’t really tell):
To bad you can’t ‘woman-up’ and answer me directly. Your character and integrity is displayed by your posting my message to your blog, sans reply, instead of looking me in the eye (so to speak) and addressing the matter. Too bad Logan isn’t around anymore since he was the heart of PDTH. Good riddance.
My Question to you readers:I did not respond to the original email directly – I chose not to let my emotions guide me into a dialog with someone who obviously would love to get under my skin.
I do try to answer every email (as quickly as I can – I’m often overwhelmed and a bit slow). Do you think I should have answered this one personally?
To challenge my integrity and character is pretty “below the belt” considering this “Guy” was originally complaining about what I am currently teaching. Everyone on “that” subscriber list knows that Logan has left the business… and all you get is “me”. I’ve had to “Woman-Up” and take on a huge responsibility without a backup (Logan) plan.
If you don’t like me… go away. I’m all you get!
The problem with “going away”… is that YOU loose. Because I (yep little old me) am one of the few on the internet that actually will teach you how to use Public Domain content to make money from home.
I don’t say that lightly or to boast. I didn’t plan to be the Public Domain “It Girl” – ever. It sort of landed in my lap and I’m just going to go with it… “seat of my pants” style.
Please take the time to read the comments below – already some very interesting feedback. And… please answer the question: Do you think I should have answered this one personally?
Let them leave. Good riddance. 🙂
My feeling exactly… 🙂
My personal note to the complainer – “Why be a jerk when someone is so generous with her time, her knowledge, her resources, her experience and her coaching when she could more easily be ‘doing her own thing’ and using her time to build more profitable websites for herself? Food, recipes and cooking niches are some of the hottest markets going right now! And not for just women either – how many male cooks and bbq gurus are there out there? So if you aren’t interested, just leave quietly please. But don’t kick sand in Debra’s eyes for being so generous and caring or you’ll have everyone of us after your hide!”
Sherie Smith
LOL> What Sherie said!
People grow and change with the times and we’re allowed to do that. In fact I think it’s necessary as part of the human experience.
Good for you Debra 🙂
Debra,
I had to smile at your post because I just had a similar discussion with one of my colleagues yesterday. We are both sociology professors and, as such, are now into the part of the semester when students like to complain the loudest (after they bother to check the syllabus and see how much work they failed to turn in 🙂 My colleague is new and is worried about pleasing her students so she can get good student evals (which DO count on our yearly evaluations). My advice to her is “smile, look them in the eye, and make a simple observation: I’m sorry you didn’t choose to take advantage of all of the information I provided this semester. I guess you were busy doing other things. That’s really too bad because I can tell you are actually a very smart person and would have done very well had you put the time and effort into studying.
That puts the responsibility for their lack of action back on them, where it belongs.
You provide so much great information and share so much of your real “behind the scenes” experiences that it is beyond me how anyone can complain unless. . .they are not putting the time and effort into trying some of the things you suggest. You have repeatedly said that your techniques can work on any niche, not just the ones you write about.
I’m 100% sure that for every complainer, you have at least 100 + fans. 🙂 We appreciate you!
Right on Debra KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK,,,
You are the BEST
LET ALL THE MEATBALLS UNSUBSCRIBE
Jim
Debra
This is exactly the reason I shy away from having a “list”.
I am just not used to people being rude or unreasonable
and having to deal with them behind a computer. Being behind
a computer seems to give the complainer a little more
courage than usual as they can remain somewhat anonymous.
(and I can’t punch them in the face).
Debra
Don’t loose any sleep over people like this. I would imagine this guy leads a pretty dismal life. You have done a wonderful job for all your subscribers and I believe I can speak for us all when I say “we are very grateful for what you provide for us.” Keep up the great work and keep those emails coming!
Hi Debra,
Your emails are interesting and informative and if someone doesn’t like the cooking topic, they can use their intelligence to apply the same concept to another topic (in the public domain) that they DO like. Don’t let people bring you down.. you know your stuff and you are good at it and that’s all that counts. I did like the cooking idea by the way and have thought about doing something similar later. Most people have to cook food and cook books and recipes are always handy. Interestingly many of the most influential cooks (as in Master Chef etc) are men. So perhaps your disgruntled list person should think about that too. Some people just need to broaden their perspective on life.. people are all interested in different things and that’s what makes the public domain such an asset for us all.
Cheers and keep up the good work, Cheers Marguerite
OMG Debra! What a grump! That initial e-mail wouldn’t have been so bad if he/she actually made some suggestions for what he/she may be interested in. Perhaps a…”Hey Debra, can you cover XYZ in the future?” – very disrespectful!
Your best point was: “Learning about projects (and replace the cooking niche with any other niche topic) is what you should be thinking about.”
Even when Logan would go on and on about PD comic books (which I’m really NOT into) I still paid attention – there’s always something to learn.
Delete the e-mails, and unsubscribe him/her from your lists so you won’t incur his/her wrath again! LOL.
Oh my Beth – I’m so with you on the Comic Book thing… I guess this “Guy” felt about cookbooks as we do about old comic books. lol
I just went and check out your blogs http://bethsawickie.com/nov-30 and http://publicdomainmadeeasy.com/why-plr-stinks You crack me up… Why PLR stinks… *giggle* …. and me with my PLR.
You and I sooo need to get together again and talk shop. Can’t believe it’s been over a year. Last time we talked I was going whole hog on building new sites.. how things have changed in a year. sigh….
I think you handled it correctly.
Don’t waste your time with folks who won’t listen.
I agree with what the others say. A simple response could be that people had been requesting that you talk to them about how to do this. I am one of those. I have been looking trying to figure out what I will do and how to do it. Unfortunately for this person, there are some of us who need your expertise, too. I am still somewhat lost but am getting closer. Still trying to get my website up and running for my cookbooks. You have shown me lots of ways to find what I will be needing and I really do appreciate it. I am sure you and Logan have spent this much time on other niches in the public domain. If you don’t like the current subject, just delete the email when it comes in. Debra will be changing the subject sometime in the future and you can get your addiction fed, too.
You Go Debra, its your sandbox !!!
I like coming to your sandbox!!! There is always some new informational toys to be found here for me to create my internet sand castle’s. Unlike Mr grumpy, who can’t seem to find one your wealth of informational toys to create something, or maybe he can’t find his way around the site here to find other information other than cookbooks. I choose too learn and take what I can use. If there is something I am not interested in (which hasn’t been the case) or not ready for yet, I just leave that for another time, until I ready for that information.
There is so much information here ,since you provide us with all this at no charge. As far I am concern, no one has right to complain. so here is the deal for all the those who want complain instead of just enjoying all the of information here….just go find another sandbox, and I hope you have to pay for it or just chill out… find something else in sandbox of information and start building your sand castle. Hey, that might be even a good blog or website. People love looking at sandcastles.,Hummm wonder if there some public domain on sand castles?????.
We can’t please everyone
Hhhhhmmmmm. Let’s see, you were told to “woman-up” because you didn’t engage him directly in a time wasting back and forth debate on blog topics. Yet, the topic you are on is current for the season, lots of cooking going on and cookbooks make great gifts. As I remarked on the “PDTH” blog, made a cookbook CD for Christmas gifts last year, worked out great.
If I am not mistaken it takes more courage to discuss things in public as a learning experience for the subscribers. He/she could have commented directly on the blog posts for all to see about his “concerns.” He would have “manned up” in my book then. He’s lucky he got any response at all.
Personally, I like comic books and history subjects, but if Needlepoint is “Hot” and I have access to free Needlepoint content all ready for me to niche blog, build reports, sell patterns, by golly that’s what I’ll do! Makes no sense to sit on my thumbs and wait for you to cover building wooden ship models…. Oh Wait, there was a model ship book y’all made available in the PD library. And Oh Wait! Y’all did talk about accessing Popular Science magazine issues in the PD via Google Books! (BTW, many model building articles in the wartime issues!)
Maybe, with all the tools and skills I’ve been taught by Deb and Logan, I can occupy my time building other things while waiting out the “Cookbook Cornucopia of 2010!”
I for one say thank you. My advice to THAT guy/gal comes from a very wise man, my father, who always told me, “If people give you advice, take it or leave it, but never criticize it!”
Ok, I’m done. Oh wait, no I would not have answered him at all.
–John
Hi Debra,
You do have to admit that you have being going on a bit recently about cook books, I must have had at least four or five emails about it, wow, how can I cope with that??? It reminds me of when I was in college studying engineering, the lecturers would go on about a subject for weeks and weeks, Teaching I think they called it. I hated it and learned nothing and here I am 20 odd years later running a balloon business and loving every minute of it. Now I’ll be banging on about my chosen subject (balloons, not engineering) to anyone that will listen, some people listen and some don’t.
What I’m basically saying (in a very long drawn out way) is that if you want to learn something you have to listen to a lot of lessons, some are more enjoyable than others, if you listen you learn if you don’t you won’t. OK, so is cookbooks my first choice for public domain, no – but it is a fantastic niche to learn how to do the job. I bought the ‘Public Domain – Cookbook Empires’ and it is a great text book for learning how to take public domain stuff and produce a website/blog/book or whatever, but once you have learned the method you could use it in any niche, cookery, wooden toys, farming, wood craft, etc. I even have a couple of ideas in engineering that I might pursue, imagine if I produced an engineering book, my college tutors would be so proud.
Good luck with your Cookbook empire 😉
Jim
Oh I forgot to answer you question… duh…..!!!
question: Do you think I should have answered this one personally?
Yes, I worked as Customer service trainer for an internet site that had over l50,000 members. So I do understand the times, you wish you reach through the computer and jack slap some people. However, anytime you have a business, you are always going to have to answer to those who complain as well as, those who have valid questions and comments or praise.
Now, that does not mean you have keep on email after email with one individual. Just simple say something to effect:
“I are sorry that you find I am not providing you with the type of information you are looking for. However, this what we are focusing on at this time and do have other information other than cookbooks on the site.
You may find what your looking for by going to the PDTH site , and look on the right hand side of page. There you will see a list of other posts and also at the top of page. If you can’t find what your looking for, and would like to let me know, perhaps I can help you.
Please understand that I am only one person, and it may take some time to get back to you due my plate being full at the moment. Now that Logan is retired from PDTH and yes there may be some changes made. However, most members seem to be dealing these changes rather well.
All the information that you so have enjoyed in the past has been free. I hope you understand that at times change needs to happen for good of all the members of PDTH. If you choose to UNSUBSCRIBE, we are sorry to see you go but wish you all the success in your future plans.” sign your name.
Deb, you are only one person who is now doing the work of two people. Perhaps you need some people to help you with emails or customer support.
What makes this site so addicting is not only the wealth of information you provide, but the fact that members can interact with you here is a big plus but also can be a big headache when get members like “Mr/Mrs Grumpy”. So do what you can and what you can’t do, just has to be. There are way to many members that stand behind you and always will.
Hi Debra,
Actually I didn’t want to read that person’s email because quite frankly my impression was he’s being both rude and unreasonable.
However when you sent the update about this “controversy”, I took the time to read both.
You can’t fix stupid Debra, so please don’t try. It is a waste of time.
In a world with 6+ billion people there has to some you just can’t please. Just a wave good bye and a “happy trails to you” is sufficient.
Oh, and block the IP, you can’t trust someone nurturing such a poisonous attitude.
Hi Debra,
Yep, I go along with Sherie and the others.
Who needs turkeys like this anyway. I just feel sorry that they can’t get out of bed in the morning with a positive attitude and enjoy life.
Why did they join for your list in the first place … just to be nasty?
The important people are here for you … those who appreciate all the hard work you are putting in.
Peter
Greetings Debra,
I am completely new to the idea of Public Domain. I am also,new to your membership site.I didn’t have the opportunity to learn from logan.
However,I am Pleased with the Overdelivery of Powerful information that I have recieved.I have followed some of your suggestions,and they work just as you said they would.If I Faithfully Apply the Wisdom you share I WILL RISE. You are a Sweet Spirit! PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE KEEP HELPING Me to reach a Goal that I WILL NOT reach without your Wisdom. You Are My Mentor!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Your Student
Gregory
There’s a bad apple in every load Debs. All you can do is throw them out. Sometimes however, they simply fall out with no help from yo. We’re all better off without the rotten ones, aren’t we?
Keep the good stuff rolling on. All’s well as far as I’m concerned as I am one of your biggest fans.
Dave
Whatever the niche Debra is talking about, she is showing you how to build your empire on the web. All of them would go the same way. She is starting at the beginning and working her way through the recipe or cookbook website from start to finish because she just happens to be doing that right now. I have been doing the homework requested and hope to have something either today or tomorrow to show her. I am going through terms I think will work for my niche, beading. Take what she tells you and apply it to whatever niche you want to use and you will be ok.
Cannot say enough good stuff about you Deb. Logan is gone -and you ARE doing a fantastic job alone! I am learning all the time from reading your emails and every other juicy bit of info I can get – AND I appreciate it very much – it is genuine good if not great information – for free.
Greetings Debra, I am completely new to the idea of Public Domain. I am also,new to your membership site.I didn’t have the opportunity to learn from logan. However,I am Pleased with the Overdelivery of Powerful information that I have recieved.I have followed some of your suggestions,and they work just as you said they would.If I Faithfully Apply the Wisdom you share I WILL RISE. You are a Sweet Spirit! PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE KEEP HELPING Me to reach a Goal that I WILL NOT reach without your Wisdom. You Are My Mentor! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Your Student Gregory
Hi Debra,
I am the kind of person who takes comments seriously and usually personally.
When I was an ebay Powerseller and as an Amazon Marketplace Seller, very occassionally people complain. One lady not too long ago gave me a Feedback score of 1 whilst I was away on holiday and my Amazon Store was closed.
It is my nature to reply to these people. The lady in question was mortified when she knew the repercussions of her action on my overall Feedback!
I probably would have sent a personal e-mail AND replied on the Blog.
However, I am NOT a successful business owner who delivers top class FREE advice to her ‘List’!!
I think your info and website and offers and products are top class.
LOVE the latest video ‘chat’ (and the earings!!)
Many thanks
Rev Peter Heywood UK