Why I keep ignoring your emails

Like any business with a heavily email-based operation, on any given day I get emails from multiple indiscriminate people. Some just want to give me props or a testimonial, which my already-overbloated ego loves, of course. Some want to complain about something (or someone). Some want to challenge elBenbo on something. Others want to give feedback on something, try to troll me from their mom's basement, bait me into some pointless debate, make a passive-aggressive "drive-by" comment, or just give their thoughts on a particular email I sent. Or maybe they are an “Email Players” subscriber taking advantage of the perk they get to ask me questions. Or, maybe they just want to mindlessly chit-chat and small talk about something, which I'd rather be water-boarded than participate in doing. There are many other reasons, too. Sometimes I reply back. But, many times I simply ignore and delete them (without even reading them all). And here are a few reasons why: * Too long & rambling, don't get to the point * Trying to be clever and cute and I just assume it's spam * Mindless trolling (although I do appreciate the fodder) * Looks like spam at a glance (recently a very nice woman emailed me asking to buy one of my books for her fiance, but I deleted it on sight since it looked like a spam email from the subject line and didn't realize it came from a real person) * They found my email from back when I was on Linkedin and think we have a relationship now * Idle chit-chat, etc - I don't do small talk, many-a-times even good friends have accused Yours Curtly of ignoring them when, in reality, I just don't like small talk over email * Asking for free advice (that is something “Email Players” subscribers pay for) And the list goes on. Now before you even ask (I would...): “Ben, who cares???” Well, if you are selling via email, and doing any of the above, then probably your list is ignoring you, too. And, if they’re ignoring you, that means they aren’t reading you. And if they aren’t reading you, that means they aren’t buying from you. And if they aren’t buying from you, that means you can’t buy baby nice things… More: There’s yet another reason to ignore emails. One that has nothing to do with trolling, looking like spam, or anything above. In fact, the person sending this kind of email is very likely seriously interested in buying from you, maybe even wants to shove money in your hand, and buy everything else you sell without even caring about price, format, or anything else. It’s an email probably 99.9% of marketers foolishly don’t ignore. Yet, if you did, you’ probably make a lot more of the green stuff. Yes, even though you are sending someone away wanting to give it to you. I am talking about a way to “benevolently punish” those who send you this kind of email to make more sales — especially in the theater of what I have been describing all year as “6G Marketing Warfare”, where your marketing and sales happen in many cases without seeing an ad or sometimes even knowing who you are. I write about this on pages 14-15 in the September “Email Players” issue. But, a warning: Doing this WILL destroy any “nice guy” image you have. Certainly it will get a rise out of the “the customer is always right, so bow down and kiss my ass!” types. But that’s just too bad for them. This is bigger than all of them. And, frankly, it's bigger than you and me. It’s not just about “selling” in the here and now, it’s about client/customer/lead curation for potentially selling much more in the future. If someone approaches you via email (or any other way, for that matter) in the manner described — even if they are the nicest, most respectful, and eager-to-buy person you’ve ever met — my advice is to ignore. Do not even acknowledge their question. And in some cases, possibly even remove them from your list. You will be doing yourself, your business, and your customers a huge favor. You’ll also be doing your business’ bank account a huge favor. And you’ll certainly be doing your own peace of mind a huge favor. I wish everyone did what I describe on pages 14 & 15. Almost to the point where I’d like to give this tip away free. But if I did that, nobody would value it, much less do it. Thus, it’s for the eyes of Email Players of the Horde only. To subscribe in time to get this issue while you still can, go here: []( Ben Settle This email was sent by Ben Settle as owner of Settle, LLC. Copyright © 2021 Settle, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this email may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from Settle, LLC. Click here to [unsubscribe]( or change subscriber options Settle, LLC PO Box 1056 Gold Beach Oregon 97444 USA