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Develop A Thick Skin Or Die

by Steven Wagenheim
17 replies
This is a long overdue thread.

Too many people who venture into Internet marketing focus too much on the
"how to do's" Granted, it's important to know what you're doing in this
business or you're not going to get very far.

However, as you run your business, you're going to receive feedback on it.

Some of it will be good but some of it will be flat out mean and vindictive.

Those of you with lists and professional relationships know what I am
talking about. Who here hasn't gotten an email from somebody on your
list calling you every name in the book?

If you're going to survive in this business, you MUST develop a thick skin
and NOT let these poisonous people get to you.

Yes, listen to your feedback. If you have a list of 100 people and 90 of
them write to you telling you that your last newsletter was a crock of
horsesh*t then maybe you need to take a look at what you're putting out
there.

But don't let the few who will bitch and moan about everything get to you.

And yes, I am guilty of this so I am speaking from experience. I let WAY
too many things get to me. But no more. Because if I don't start getting
tough, even though I've been in this business for over 5 years, I'm going
to eventually get to the point where I'm just going to chuck it all.

Take this friendly piece of advice for whatever it's worth to you.

Venom will kill you...Don't let it.
#develop #die #skin #thick
  • Profile picture of the author MaskedMarketer
    This thread s#cks..... jk

    This is true with anything life not just your business.

    Can't let others bring you down. Just plow through and keep moving.

    If people have more self confidence and a positive attitude this should help along the way.

    Good advice.
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    "One Man's Ceiling is Another Man's Floor    "

    "I Pay Less Attention to What Men Say. I Just Watch What They Do."
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Originally Posted by MaskedMarketer View Post

      This thread s#cks..... jk
      Oh that's okay. I know I got a lot of this coming, which is my point. I
      refuse to react adversely to anything said here. I'm done with being
      defensive. If people don't like me, guess what? There is an unsubscribe
      link at the bottom of every one of my emails and there is an ignore function
      right here at this forum.
      Signature
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    • Profile picture of the author jjpmarketing
      Don't let stuff get to you Steven. Sure. Get upset when it happens... but take a deep breath and relax. And if it is still botherning you at the end of a day.... Rent a comedy... watch it and laugh hysterically. Then get a good night's rest... and in the morning you will forget it ever happened.

      Look to the future and don't dwell on the past... and in the end it will be all good.
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  • Profile picture of the author tomw
    Steve I have always had a lot of respect for you...particularly your guitar playing skills...but after some of your posts today are you serious?!?!

    Please stop these sideways snipes!

    My friend...just log off. Turn off. And go and do something much more wonderful with what remains of the day. Get some perspective. Recharge yourself. Then be the change you want to see in the world instead of being so caught up in expecting everyone else to live up to your very admirable but maybe unrealistic moral sensibilities.

    We're only human and we're all only here because of a blind devotion to at least 3 or 4 of the seven deadly sins.



    Thomas
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Originally Posted by tomw View Post

      Steve I have always had a lot of respect for you...particularly your guitar playing skills...but after some of your posts today are you serious?!?!

      Please stop these sideways snipes!

      My friend...just log off. Turn off. And go and do something much more wonderful with what remains of the day. Get some perspective. Recharge yourself. Then be the change you want to see in the world instead of being so caught up in expecting everyone else to live up to your very admirable but maybe unrealistic moral sensibilities.

      We're only human and we're all only here because of a blind devotion to at least 3 or 4 of the seven deadly sins.



      Thomas

      Thanks for the feedback Tom...Duly noted.
      Signature
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      • Profile picture of the author Sean Donahoe
        I have to agree with Steven on this one. Many people who walk into Internet marketing or any other online business have to realize you are running a business. I keep telling my clients to treat an online business as they would a traditional brick and motar business. Some days you are going to have pain in the ass customers who make your life difficult and want to pull your hair out but you have to roll with the punches and turn these situations into opportunities if possible.

        When you run a business, online or offline you have to be a professional and have a thick skin as Steven said, if you let these negatives get to you you loose focus on what you are trying to do and that will hurt your bottom line.
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  • Profile picture of the author tomw
    You're a champ, Steve. We'd miss you if you chucked it all in...and especially me. I have all of your videos burnt to DVD

    Thomas
    Signature
    STOP THE TRAFFIK: PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE BOUGHT AND SOLD
    Help Us Rescue, Rehabilitate And Reunite Victims With Their Families
    STOP THE TRAFFIK is a growing global movement of individuals, communities and organisations fighting to PREVENT the sale of people,
    PROTECT the trafficked and PROSECUTE the traffickers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Simon_Sezs
    On a more positive note, the bigger you get, the bigger the target on your back. People hate success and will try to strip you..if they can't they will attack you.

    Its a numbers game and the more you get, the more open you become to criticism. It happens, man.

    So, in a sense, if you have seen an increasing number of people attacking you, you can pretty much guarantee that your business is growing.

    Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

    This is a long overdue thread.

    Too many people who venture into Internet marketing focus too much on the
    "how to do's" Granted, it's important to know what you're doing in this
    business or you're not going to get very far.

    However, as you run your business, you're going to receive feedback on it.

    Some of it will be good but some of it will be flat out mean and vindictive.

    Those of you with lists and professional relationships know what I am
    talking about. Who here hasn't gotten an email from somebody on your
    list calling you every name in the book?

    If you're going to survive in this business, you MUST develop a thick skin
    and NOT let these poisonous people get to you.

    Yes, listen to your feedback. If you have a list of 100 people and 90 of
    them write to you telling you that your last newsletter was a crock of
    horsesh*t then maybe you need to take a look at what you're putting out
    there.

    But don't let the few who will bitch and moan about everything get to you.

    And yes, I am guilty of this so I am speaking from experience. I let WAY
    too many things get to me. But no more. Because if I don't start getting
    tough, even though I've been in this business for over 5 years, I'm going
    to eventually get to the point where I'm just going to chuck it all.

    Take this friendly piece of advice for whatever it's worth to you.

    Venom will kill you...Don't let it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
      Don't Worry, Be Happy.
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Elss
      Originally Posted by Simon_Sezs View Post

      On a more positive note, the bigger you get, the bigger the target on your back. People hate success and will try to strip you..if they can't they will attack you.

      Its a numbers game and the more you get, the more open you become to criticism. It happens, man.

      So, in a sense, if you have seen an increasing number of people attacking you, you can pretty much guarantee that your business is growing.
      I cant WAIT until people start attacking me more :p
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  • Profile picture of the author PrestonSr
    IM is UP and DOWN...Its hard but rewarding
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  • Profile picture of the author sigmundeverlast
    Skin in my face is thick enough. It's what you call survival.
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  • Profile picture of the author surferchris
    Just like any other business in the world, a business owner must develop thick skin. We certainly can't please everyone. And we definitely cannot let the very few rude and insensitive people get to us. Never let these comments be taken personally, and you will be just fine.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lou Murphy
    Yes, actually the place where you WANT to be is where people either love you or HATE you. The worst thing is indifference.
    You want to create a tribe, your "peeps", and weed out the rest.
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  • Profile picture of the author aliveder
    Nobody can please everybody (as was stated above).

    The only person you have to please is yourself. If you are standing true to your beliefs, please will recognize it.

    You have to treat your list with care and respect. If you are spamming them with offers constantly, you have it coming. But if you are truly trying to give them good advice, warn them about products that could harm them. If you truly believe that, you have done nothing wrong.

    Plus people love to complain, if it is one or two people who are complaining its one thing, if the majority of your followers are unhappy with the way you do business, then there is something wrong that you need to fix.

    The one thing from my own experience that used to get me, was that I may read something negative sent and I get angry then almost get shy to send my next newsletter in fear of negativity.

    I thankfully got past it, I realized that if I am helping somebody ethically, then I have nothing to feel bad about.
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    Don't Forget To Give Thanks to Those That Have Helped You!

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  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    I believe in the 80/20 rule.

    20% of your customers give you 80% of your money.
    20% of your customers will give you 80% of your grief.

    The solution? The second someone bitches, try your best to isolate them. Cut them off.

    Refund them, send them off, and live happier. Delete them off your buddylist.

    You ever seen the godfather? Don corleone had it right "He's dead to me".

    And remember, you never go against the family.

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    • Profile picture of the author IM HUNGRY
      Originally Posted by Sarevok View Post

      I believe in the 80/20 rule.

      20% of your customers give you 80% of your money.
      20% of your customers will give you 80% of your grief.

      The solution? The second someone bitches, try your best to isolate them. Cut them off.

      Refund them, send them off, and live happier. Delete them off your buddylist.

      You ever seen the godfather? Don corleone had it right "He's dead to me".

      And remember, you never go against the family.
      Funny, but some truth in these words.

      Sometimes you MUST sift through the insults in order to get to the root of the problem. I think most people who have something negative to say about you, particularly online, never explain why they feel the way they do. So naturally, I would get defensive or just ignore them instead of trying to figure out why so much hate was being directed towards me. But what I've come to realize is that, sometimes, the problem could be you. Maybe you're targeting the wrong group, or in my case, you really should consider going back to school. I think you owe it to yourself to figure out why someone is insulting you. Especially if if it's affecting your business and reputation.

      However, on the flip side of things, some people really are assholes and aren't worth trying to please. That is of course, if you truly need them to achieve a goal.
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