How to Not Be Pushy in Marketing

Dear reader, 

I don’t know if you’re in the same boat as me, but I don’t like making money. 

It truly gets in the way of my thoughts and desires, and most of my fears come from the lack of making money. 

The other day I had someone reach out to me and ask me very pointed questions about what I do. 

It just felt off, but I didn’t want to come off as rude or cruel so I responded. 

After about 9 minutes or so they instantly hit me with the pitch of their business, it was so pushy, and unnatural, and I felt so hurt that that was the outcome of our conversation. 

It left such a bad taste in my mouth I went to immediately block this person and want nothing to do with them. 

But then I thought of Jesus. He never sold the Gospel, he offered it, it was present in his actions and demeanor, yet he never backed anyone into a corner and opened up his cloak saying

“So eh, you wanna buy the gospel?”

This analogy is imperfect, but I wanted to show grace to this man, I responded with the truth, that his approach was abrasive and unloving towards me, and if this is truly work that God wants him to be doing he needs to approach it differently. 

I then went to block him a second time, but I just couldn’t do it. 

He quickly apologized and asked if we could connect. I didn’t want to, his approach, his demeanor, his dialogue, all of it was still from a sales perspective. 

I’m sharing this with you as a warning. No one wants to be convinced about anything. No one needs to be tricked or coerced into buying whatever God has for you to offer. 

When I say genuinely love the person, do just that. If offering what you do is the most loving thing, then do just that. Sometimes people just need to talk or ask questions. 

Don’t look for the next person you’re going to sell. Be genuine offer to serve them, see what God does with that. 

Sincerely,

Your Failed Salesman

-Mitchell