You're in the Wrong Line of Work

There is something that has been bothering me, and I need to get it off my chest.

A few weeks ago I was on Instagram and I happened to see a live feed from a business coach.  I decided to stop and see what kind of motivation she was offering. For the first minute or two everything was going well.  And honestly, I don’t remember exactly what she was saying, but I was still listening so I think it must have been good.

But then she started talking about how she gains clients, and this is where she lost me.  Now I’m going to paraphrase here, but this is the sentiment:

“If someone is on the fence with signing up with me, I just ignore them.  If they email me or call me, I won’t answer. I don’t have time for that. I don’t have time for people who are unsure if I’m right for them.  That doesn’t make me money. So don’t waste time on people that aren’t going to make you money.”

I shut down the video.

Did I hear that right?  A coach doesn’t want to help anyone that isn’t ready to commit and pony up the cash to her ASAP.  

Even now I’m throwing my hands up and my head is shaking frantically.  HUH???!!!?!?!

You’re a coach.  Don’t coaches help people?  Don’t they motivate them? Don’t they put them in the right direction?  

I can’t imagine giving up on someone I just met - someone who I know needs help, who came to me for help - and just because they were nervous about the steps, or the investment or whatever.  And not answer their emails or calls.

Lady, you’re in the wrong line of work.

We are all in the service industry.  Coaches, virtual assistants, social media experts, web designers, etc.  - all of us. We sell ourselves as helpers, serving others so that they can benefit from our knowledge and have a strong support system to help them grow.  Just because someone is hesitant doesn’t make them unworthy of help. If anything, they’re the ones that need more of your help.

So someone can’t invest in you right now.  It’s okay. Keep in touch with them. (Isn’t that what newsletters are all about?)  And don’t people say it takes at least 6-8 touches before someone will feel secure enough to want to buy from you?  So why would you let someone go after the first contact?

When you choose to help people, it’s because you want to help them, not because you want access to their bank accounts.  If that’s the case, you’re in the wrong line of work.