Last week was a whirlwind of Skyping with folks who had responded to my request for collaborators interested in organizing seminars for me in their part of the world. When I first proposed the idea, I expected four or five people might respond.
I underestimated. Five times that many people said, “Tell me more.” My 2013 calendar began to fill up quickly.
About the same time that this new project was being born, I received a request from a woman I didn’t know. She wrote, “I would love to share your book with our event guests this year at our New Year’s Eve Party. Would you be interested in sponsoring our event? We will be promoting to over 25,000 people and on top of that, 450 new people will be receiving your book and with the power of word-of-mouth advertising, it has the potential to reach 3 X more people with those efforts alone.”
I was puzzled and replied, “Frankly, I am not at all clear about what you’re proposing. Details, please.”
Her reply? “I would love to share your book with our event guests this year at our New Year’s Eve Party. Would you be interested in sponsoring our event?”
Now I’m really puzzled. Whose event is this? Who will be attending? What does sponsorship involve? Where are you located? Am I expected to donate 450 copies of my book? Pay for the champagne? Am I invited to the party?
Even odder, it seemed to me, was the idea of giving New Year’s Eve revelers a copy of Making a Living Without a Job. Obviously, I was missing some vital information.
I reread the initial message, but no fresh clues had appeared.
Then a terse message arrived asking if I wanted to promote my book. I replied, “I am still not clear about what the New Year’s Eve event entails nor what your expectations are for me. Intuitively, however, it doesn’t feel like a fit.”
So imagine my surprise when she promptly replied, “Good to know! I also feel that your priorities and attention span is far from looking into any new opportunities, so I wish you success and thank you for skimming my messages.”
I’m still not sure if this is an example of miscommunication or incredibly rude behavior.
I do know, however, that I’ll be welcoming the New Year celebrating my upcoming partnerships with the very kind and innovative folks who are busily making The Collaboratory a success.
I am totally clear about that.
By the wording, it sounds like one of those scams–proper words but “clunky” sentences which are very short on details. Your intuition is correct.
How rude! People can say such odd things in emails – I miss phone conversations. Bravo for you to listen to your intuition. Your gut is rarely wrong.
Hi!
Do you know about meetups? A lot of these groups find local businesses to sponsor their meetings, pay for the venue, buy some snacks and then they get access to the people in the room as prospects. That’s what I thought of when I read this. That is for new and start-up businesses only. She obviously had no idea you’ve been around and successful for 2 decades (3?) For example, a vegan meetup in Chicago might have 800 members. The organizer will look for raw food restaurants, or nutritional supplement people or anyone with an interest in the demographic of their group, to be the sponsor. She was offering you access to the community she had assembled, in exchange for catering the invite. The trouble was that the perception of value on each side wasn’t congruent. You’re accustomed to being invited and paid, whereas she is used to dealing with many start-ups who will invest in getting access to the right demographic.
That’s what it seems, anyhow…
And if I’m right, she didn’t pitch her offer very well, or research her target very well!
I’m here, btw, because I had your book many years ago and it was inspirational in me not pursuing another contract and becoming a freelancer. I am one of the gratefully converted!!!! A friend told me he still gets your newsletters, he showed me the latest on Saturday night, and I’ve been discouraged lately and was so glad to be reminded of you, and why I chose this path. That’s how I came to be here today. Your ideas have become a way of life for many people and we need your ongoing inspiration so keep up the good work!
Jen, Thanks so much for your kind words. Yes, I do know about Meetups. I agree that there are several things going on in this story, but the nastiness with which she dealt with my responses is what triggered this post.