My Call to Action
This entry was posted on April 30, 2009 by Mike Robertson. It was tagged with Random.
Sweep the Leg Johnny!
If you're a child of the 80s, you all remember this famous call to action:
"Sweep the Leg Johnny!"
In sales, blogging, whatever, you're supposed to have a call to action as well. I'm supposed to tell you to purchase a product, follow a link, tell me how great I am, etc. After all (even though I forget it some times!), I am actually running a business.
The problem is this - I must've skipped selling 101. I'm not into high pressure sales, gimmicks, or spamming the hell out of people to get new subscribers on my list.
In that regard, I'm decidely old-school - I feel that if I consistently develop great content, people will naturally want to purchase my products, attend my seminars, or support me in general. Even if it's not always monetary in nature, I feel like I have some of the most loyal, supportive customers in the fitness industry.
And at the risk of sounding cheesy, on a much larger scale, I know this is what I'm meant to do: To help other coaches and trainers improve their skills, and therefore the outcomes with their clients.
I'm here to help my clients and the people I work to achieve their ultimate fitness or performance related goals.
In essence, I'm here as a servant - to help others achieve their goals.
So here is my call to arms - if I've helped you in any way, shape or form...
...if I've helped you with one of my blogs, articles, Podcasts or newsletters...
...or if you simply believe in what I'm doing, then tell someone else about me!
Author Malcolm Gladwell would call this the Tipping Point - the time when one small change or trend absolutely takes the world by storm. This could absolutely happen if you (yes you, the one reading this right now!) simply told one person about myself or my site.
The absolute best way to do this is to have them sign up for my newsletter; the form is at the top of every page. This way they'll consistently know about newsletters, Podcasts, and even sales and promotions that I offer.
Not interested in the newsletter? Sign up to receive blog updates via RSS feeds on my Main Page.
Have them Friend Me on Facebook.
Have them Follow Me on Twitter.
Or even better yet, just send them a link to an article or post that I've written that you feel will help them achieve their goals. Because if I can help them (like I've hopefully helped you), then they'll want to do it on their own.
No selling required.
Stay strong
BTW - Just in case you thought this post was all about me, I have a fantastic Podcast I posted yesterday with Eric Cressey. You can find it HERE.
MR
Comments For This Entry
Posted by Nia Shanks at 08:24AM on April 30, 2009
Great post, Mike. I think you and I are on the same wave length. When I get my e book finished, I want women to buy it because it's the best program available. I don't want to bribe them or try to mind warp them into a purchase. You're right: if you're good at what you do, you'll always have clients.
Posted by Lisa at 09:03AM on April 30, 2009
Hey MIKE.. so far I have to tell you I LOVE your SITE...I am so lucky to have found it. I wanted to comment to Nia Sharks..as a woman..i am interested in the ebook that is mentioned. I am always looking for 'good programs for women"... please put me on 'the list'... when it is available for reveiw.
Posted by Lance Goyke at 09:36AM on April 30, 2009
Mike, I have told so many people about you. My friend Kelly would love to be part of the group of people who have talked to Nate Green.
Having said that, I take payments via PayPal donations through my blog.
Posted by Vince G at 11:23AM on April 30, 2009
Mike,
Old School?!??!? No way ... you blog, podcast, tweet, ebook !!!! This is the new road meeting your rubber.
Mutually exclusive are those two facets you discuss above. Exclusive.
I bet you are better in 2 years as a servant. You will also be a better marketer. As one may need the other they need different skills and knowledge.
Dust off selling 101 and market your wheels off. This world gets the work you do when it resonates with the goals they have.
Shout it Mike! Shout it loud!
I'll tell someone, maybe even 2 and heck you could have asked for 3.
Make no small plans ...
Cheers,
Vinny
Posted by Jeff at 12:54PM on April 30, 2009
It's not cheesy. God has given you a gift and it should be used to help people. But you do have to support yourself also. As your call to action reminds me that the best adverstisement is word of mouth. And I would much rather have someone ask us, loyal followers of your work, to help in that regard instead of getting 3-4 emails in one week reminding us of the "limited" time before the incredible offer expires. I don't mind getting an email for a deal or offer, but 5 emails for 5 days straight. A little too much.
Posted by bluejay at 05:08PM on April 30, 2009
You can't teach an old-school dog new tricks,Vince G. I am an outright consumer,constantly appraising what's on offer from a host of different online fitness professionals. You know when someone is being a nob,churning out blitzkreig emails,using all sorts of tactics and approaches (one of the most notable recently was 'jay,you're an idiot'). You instinctively end up being very dubious of those types.
The few emails I recieve from RTS are 95% informative (blog content,newsletter) and are for my benefit. The others are about new products or deals (which are also covered in the newsletter/blog).
The result is I have all of MR's products. I intend to sign up as an online client. There aren't many others whose catalogue I've bought up
Posted by Vince G at 08:30PM on April 30, 2009
bluejay - Absolutely agree that the right approach is important in getting your message, knowledge and product out. Nice to know you support RTS efforts.
Hopefully Mikes requests for us to share his efforts with others will be the right approach.
Have a great day - actually 4 people listened, I told more than that .....
Cheers
Posted by Mark T at 10:39PM on April 30, 2009
MIke,
You are WAY too late my friend! I've been telling folks about you, distributing your articles and signing folks up for your blog for a while now.
Ironically, I just -- 30 mins ago, over coffee -- had a massage therapist friend thank me again for "introducing you" to him.
Posted by Adam Dietrick at 10:42PM on April 30, 2009
Hey Mike, just added you on Twitter, and used the list of persons you are following to find a lot of my other favourite trainers/resources. Thanks!
Posted by Mike T Nelson at 06:00PM on May 06, 2009
Ah yes---Tipping Point was a great book and Blink is my fav by him so far--a MUST read. I need to finish Outliers, but it is quite good too.
Keep on keeping on!
Rock on
Mike T Nelson
PhD(c), CSCS
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