Media Junk Food

Too many emails are coming in.

Not from person to person. I love receiving those.

Heck, I love email. Hit reply and I want to get back to you, even if I always can't. And with email, you can reach almost anyone in the world. I sent about 4 just today to people I've never yet met. It's like your inbox is this wonderful place full of opportunity.

And It's the gateway to making things happen. It's how you introduce people, activate people to volunteer, share insight, notify people of your upcoming show...

It's also the last feed where you can control the experience and have a conversation one-on-one.

Facebook's having an existential crisis because they've ruined the experience by allowing the flow of too much information. Which is why it's time to get back to local. Get back to relevant and personal communication.

But slowly email has been ever-crowding with E-blasts into the oblivion. Social media tactics ported over to email

Some subject lines from my inbox today:

"The #1 Mistake Aspiring Speakers Make"
"Reason #2 to get off the fence"
"HottestWay to Get Warm Leads"

I’m tempted to click but I don’t.

Funny how the impulse get's you.

You're at work, and the back of your mind is unknowingly scanning for shortcuts. And the subject lines feed into that.

Or maybe we just want to be doing anything other than what we're doing right now. The keys to the world are right underneath our nose, heck, probably right in the middle of the task that you're currently avoiding.

But instead, we reach for the marshmallow.

But I don't blame you, the industry is built on this.
I'm likely guilty of this same thing on occasion.

Have you read "Hooked"?

"the hook model-a four-step process embedded into the products of many successful companies to subtly encourage customer behavior.

Through consecutive "hook cycles," these products reach their ultimate goal of bringing users back again and again without depending on costly advertising or aggressive messaging..."

Basically: There's a model that hacks our brains reward system to leave us addicted to your product to us thoughtfully. They have an opinion on the world and you feel that they want the best for US.

They believe in our ability, but they stick to their own truth. We can go to them if we need, but we don't have to if that's not our taste.

It's your life.

These aren't bad intentioned people writing these. They are intelligent. I just feel as if they're giving people what they want but not what they need.

Or they're giving people what they're compelled to click on but not which give them a sense of wellbeing or insight or meaning. Then again, it's your diet.

Then again...

When people see the truth, they prefer it.
Or at least, all those who are seekers in this life, do.

--

xx David