If I Build It, They Will Come

Last week while I was at work, my desk line rang.  When I answered it, a lady immediately went into a spiel about how I was eligible for a vacation (or something like that).  I don’t remember exactly what it was about because as soon as I realized it was a sales call, I mentally checked out.  When she finished the first part of her pitch and asked if it was okay to get me all signed up for the vacation/something-like-that, I told her I was not interested and that she had reached a place of business.  Instead of saying thanks and goodbye, she completely ignored what I’d just said, and instead started the second part of her pitch.  She stopped once again, long enough to urge me to say, “Yes,” and once again, I told her she’d reached a place of business.  By the time I hung up, I was irritated. 

“Congratulations!  You qualify for a leg brace!”  “Your car warranty is about to expire!”  “Don’t hang up! You qualify for a lower interest rate!”  I block the numbers, but it doesn’t help.  They call again from a different number, even when I “press 9 to be removed from our call list.”  These people are relentless, and I don’t know about you, but I’m so sick of these calls.  But it’s not just the sales calls and robo-calls I’m tired of.  I’m also tired of repeatedly saying “No, thank you,” to people who refuse to take no for an answer. 

I truly don’t understand the thought processes of people who bother others to buy their products or use their services.  Why can’t they understand that if you offer a product or a service to someone, and they say they aren’t interested, it truly means they’re not interested?  If I say I’m not interested in something that should be the end of it.  I try to be as polite as possible, but unfortunately, some people see politeness as a sign for them to try even harder.

The first time I met my publisher, we met in a restaurant.  We sat at a table while she explained her services and how the process would go if we ended up working together.  She gave me a folder with all the information about the publishing company’s services, and asked me to take the information home with me, review it, and think it over.  She wasn’t pushy at all; instead, she encouraged me to take my time in deciding.  I already knew that I wanted to work with her.  The recommendations of two women who I admire and respect, along with the fact I sought her out, were part of the reason I felt that way.  Also, I liked her.  But I think the final deciding factor was that she didn’t push; she explained her services, explained the process, and sent me on my merry way. She knew she didn’t have to push…her good reputation and business practices are all she needs to get clients.

If I wanted to go with her company, I was to reach out to her and send her my manuscript. She would read it and let me know if she wanted to take me on as an author; her company name will end up on the book, so she wants to read an author’s work before taking them on, and I don’t blame her for that.

I think if a person offers a quality product or service, they don’t need to push.  Their product or service will speak for itself and people will happily recommend them to others.  When a business or person tries to push themselves at me, they will get the opposite result they’re seeking…I will turn and run the other way.  Advertising is fine; pushy is not.  Tell me what you’re offering, and if I’m interested, I’ll seek you out.  It’s as simple as that.

When I created my blog website and then my Facebook writing page, I did it with the thought if people like my writing, they’ll read it.  If they enjoy reading books, and they like Young Adult books, they may buy my book when it’s published.  If they like the book, they’ll recommend it to others; I won’t have to be pushy to get their attention. 

I do share updates about where I’m at in the process (can’t help it, y’all…I’m excited!) and soon I’ll share a link to the publisher’s website where the books can be pre-ordered.  But I will never ask anyone to buy my book.  I know how I feel when someone pressures me to buy his or her products or services, and I refuse to put someone in that uncomfortable situation. 

In the movie, Field of Dreams, a farmer hears a voice tell him, “If you build, it he will come.”  That’s how I feel about my book, but with a small twist:   “If you write it, and it’s good, they will come. Maybe. I hope.” 

And if they don’t come?  Well, I’ve learned a lot, met fantastic people, scratched off my biggest bucket-list item, and I’ve had fun. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to build, do it. Even if nobody shows up, the people you’ll meet along the way, the things you’ll learn, and the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel will be worth the work.