The Push and Pull of Ideas – Julian Summerhayes

“Everyone lives by selling something.”

Robert Louis Stevenson

We are all in sales:

  • Ideas;
  • Experiences;
  • Opinions;
  • Services;
  • Products.

And the Web now provides an endless supply of tools to spread [y]our message.

Unfortunately, some people see this gift as beyond Heaven sent, and have turned the heat up way past boiling point.

We all have to make a living (and I would be the last person to decry any attempt to jump clear of the competition), but, when the ‘push’ overrides any attempt to garner attention and every message comes with a sales ticket, it sets up a (insuperable) paradox.

Of course, beneath all the hyperbole lies the genesis of your idea that you hope will change the world. But, for God’s sake, let it breathe, and throttle back on the need to push something … all the time.

Once I get it, I am much more likely to tell others. Reminding me daily negates its genius.

And if you must push (me and a gazillion others) a message, why not offer a ‘try before you buy’ or ‘pay us what you think it’s worth’ scheme? The ‘this would normally cost’ approach just cheapens the experience.

The numbers are important. No one will stay in the game for long absent cash, but don’t let your enthusiasm for selling devoid your idea of its import.