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"Frankly, I'm puzzled..." = "I think you're an idiot..."

by TimothyW
17 replies
No?

-- TW
#frankly im puzzled #i think youre an idiot
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Hi TW,

    I would say it's a little closer to...

    "Frankly, I'm puzzled..." = "I don't understand why you..."

    However, even if it's synonymous with telling someone you think they're an idiot, at least it is done with tact. Personally, I am a huge fan of tact. It allows you to tell people what you really think without be rude or crass.

    It's a good skill to cultivate.

    All the best,
    Michael

    p.s. Yes, there are times when you need to be blunt, but all in all, tact is a good thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
    That headline/subject line is a 'classic' that many people use ("Frankily, I'm puzzled...").

    After someone does not respond to repeated soliciting attempts (letters, email, etc.), that headline is used.

    I've always thought it was kind of obnoxious.

    -- TW
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    Well, it may be a little dated, but if your offer is truly
    very sweet and the recipient is well qualified and would
    benefit greatly - well, it's honest to say you are
    puzzled.

    In the context of IM and email it's a little silly, I agree.

    But with direct mail where you might offer to send a
    guy quite a lot of value at no risk... well you might try
    to elicit a reaction - even feedback as to why he isn't
    responding to your offer.

    So, the roots of the selling phrase are sincere. It's
    a statement that can lead to a relationship... if you
    ask your prospects WHY they don't respond to your
    offers they may surprise you and give you very valuable
    information about what they really want.
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    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      Frankly, I'm puzzled = I know you don't want xxx, but I'm going to keep bugging you anyway!
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  • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
    What's my motivation to give the marketer info?

    That's like the 'self-checkout' at the supermarket. I sure see how it's helping the store owner -- I'm a little unclear how it's helping ME (the customer)!

    Adding insult to injury, the self-checkout almost ALWAYS takes LONGER than the real person method.

    -- TW
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    • Profile picture of the author sam12six
      Originally Posted by -- TW View Post

      Adding insult to injury, the self-checkout almost ALWAYS takes LONGER than the real person method.

      -- TW
      I don't know, if you know how the self-checkout works, you can save a ton of time (just make sure you go to an empty one, 'cause there's no guarantee the person in front of you will know how it works).

      The 'frankly, I'm puzzled thing' I tend to agree is not tactful. It's like you know nothing good's ever coming after 'with all due respect'.
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  • Profile picture of the author Clyde Dennis
    When I get those emails, Frankly I unsubscribe.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Just to be clear, I'm not saying the phrase is tactful on its own. I am saying it is tactful COMPARED to calling someone a blithering idiot.



    ~Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author Jason Moffatt
      If anyone is interested in "real results" as opposed to people's opinions on the matter, I'll let you know that when I've used the headline...

      "Frankly I'm Shocked {!firstname_fix}"

      ... it increased sales about 4 times the normal average.

      Did I get some unsubscribes?

      You bet!

      But I have an inkling those were the non-buyers most of the time anyhow.
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  • Profile picture of the author colmodwyer
    In the office here we pretty much use that, or a variation of it all the time when we're following up close to the deadline of a launch.

    If it didn't work it wouldn't be getting used.

    Colm
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  • Profile picture of the author Ian Seth
    But isn't calling someone an idiot a bit strong?
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  • Profile picture of the author Leanne King
    Armand Morin uses it all the time and it doesn't appear to be harming his bank balance!

    Leanne
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Those who complain about the subject, as Jason has pointed out, are
      probably not buyers anyway.

      Can I be honest with you about something?

      I you sign up to my list to learn about X and I offer you a product to learn
      X at a price so ridiculous that you'd be crazy not to buy it, I would
      sincerely be puzzled. And actually, in one of my series, I ask my subscribers
      to tell me what their objections are because quite honestly, I thought it
      was a no brainer offer.

      The responses I get back, 99% of the time, "I just don't have the money"

      Now, I can't say if that's true or not of just being used as an excuse, but
      it at least gives me an idea of why the person didn't take me up on the
      offer. Rarely it's because they say, "I don't think it's a good offer" or "I
      think your products suck." If they suck, why are you on my list?

      Truth is, I have people write to me everyday telling me how much they
      love my newsletter and wish they could afford my stuff but they're just
      about paying their rent. It's sad really. There are some terrible stories
      out there and I've heard quite a few of them.

      Point is, without feedback, how can we tell why people aren't buying from
      us especially when they stay on our list, in some cases, for years.

      Can you now see the other side of the coin?
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    • Profile picture of the author Ian Seth
      Originally Posted by Sweet Jane View Post

      Armand Morin uses it all the time and it doesn't appear to be harming his bank balance!

      Leanne
      Good point! Thanks!
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      • Profile picture of the author Kevin Riley
        Frankly, I'm puzzled by the replies here. I'm going to go look up the definition of marketer. Or maybe only a few of us are here to market.

        The truth of the matter is this: That line WORKS. You may not like it, but it will put money in your pocket.

        I use it on the last in a series of e-mails to a freebie list. Yes, I get surly unsubscribes (very few), but I also get a lot of folks who send me an e-mail saying "Yes, I just ordered it". So, I'll let my customers be the judge.

        As to the majority here, start considering whether you're here to make money or not.
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        Kevin Riley, long-time Warrior living in Osaka, Japan

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        • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
          Originally Posted by Kevin Riley View Post

          Frankly, I'm puzzled by the replies here. I'm going to go look up the definition of marketer. Or maybe only a few of us are here to market.

          The truth of the matter is this: That line WORKS. You may not like it, but it will put money in your pocket.

          I use it on the last in a series of e-mails to a freebie list. Yes, I get surly unsubscribes (very few), but I also get a lot of folks who send me an e-mail saying "Yes, I just ordered it". So, I'll let my customers be the judge.

          As to the majority here, start considering whether you're here to make money or not.

          Kevin, I want to make money...can you lend me a hamster???
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  • Profile picture of the author Lexiranae
    I think in general that when i see "Frankly.. I'm Puzzled" its fine... It depends on how and in what context the phrase is used. Some might take offense to it, but they are people who are probably taking that statement out of context. I had an email once that kind of gave alternative meanings to phrases like that, and they were funny, but I dont think everyone that uses these phrases is being condescending or calling people idiotic.
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