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Authenticity vs. Cynicism

Heart in Hand Yesterday I sent out a Valentine's Day card to all of the people on my mailing list. In years past, I had done a "I love my clients" promotion with discounts, etc. This year I wanted to simply make a deposit into the emotional bank account and tell my readers what they meant to me. The card read simply:

"I just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know how much I love and appreciate you.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Love always,

Kelle Sparta"

Five hundred and forty nine people opened the email. Six people sent letters expressing their gratitude for the card. I got one person who said that it was over the top and 9 people unsubscribed from the list.

For the record, love has many forms. The ancient Greeks understood this. They had three words for love: filios, eros, and agape. Filios is the love on has for one's family. Eros is the romantic love we usually associate with Valentine's Day. Agape is universal love. This is the form I was referencing when I sent the note. I was truly feeling loving and grateful that these wonderful people took time from their day to read my newsletters periodically.

What's my point? Well, the point is simply this: you cannot account for everyone's reaction. You can only choose, as I did, to be authentic in the moment. Not everyone is going to like you. Not everyone will believe you. But if you ARE being authentic, then those who are your clients will appreciate it.

(BTW - the same sentiment applies to you all as well. Thanks for reading. I love you, too.)

Posted by Kelle Sparta and the Sparta Success Systems Team on 02/15/2008 09:28 AM

Comments (11)

valentines day, authenticity

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11 Comments on Authenticity vs. Cynicism

Kelle, that's a nice form of communication. I am always mystified by the nine that unsubscribe. That is a great success ratio. That means 540 people liked the card!

02/15/2008 09:35 AM

by Andrew J. Lenza (ABR*GRI*MBA) Monmouth County NJ Real Estate Broker (Andrew J. Lenza Realty)

Thanks for sharing Kelle. It's true, people react so differently. For those who were offended or unsubscribed, good riddance. Being in a business where I send out lots of newsletters, I am no longer surprised. Seems people will find something to be offended by if they want to.

That's why I appreciate people like you -- who look for the positive side of things. It was interesting to learn about the three kinds of love.

02/15/2008 09:36 AM

by Paul Stokes -- www.eNewsletterSolutions.com (eNewsletterSolutions.com)

If we fear the negative reactions then we would never get anything done. Was it an e-mail list? I think it is weird that people would want to unsubscribe from a not being sent, but I guess that is the world we live in.

02/15/2008 09:36 AM

by Frank Schulte-Ladbeck (Frank Schulte-Ladbeck Professional Real Estate Inspections)

Kelle, I understand your point and the sentiment behind it. Addressing an audience of diverse relationships requires a bit of finesse. I would be in the group which opened and read the email, would have thought it insincere due to the using the " L " word to a general audience and dismissed it as too calculated. Good selling to you.

02/15/2008 09:47 AM

by Bill Gillhespy Fort Myers Beach Realtor (Century 21 Tripower Realty)

Dear Bill,

I understand. And in the past, I might have thought so too. But I've been doing a lot of work around being more open to love in my life recently and I've found that I can hold love in my heart for lots of people - including those I've never met in person. (In fact, it's often easier to love those I haven't met.) The great thing about holding love for others is that I am more open to receiving love as well. It's a great thing overall.

Andrew, Paul and Frank (isn't it interesting that all of the comments are from men?) - thanks for the support!

02/15/2008 10:00 AM

by Kelle Sparta and the Sparta Success Systems Team (Sparta Success Systems)

I think you had great results only 9 couldn't understand your meaning or possibly took offense? too-touchy feely for them? I think you should think on the grander picture & appreciate the 500+ that did like it or accepted your sentiment. Your toughts were well expressed & too the point for Valentine's Day.

02/15/2008 10:03 AM

by Lyn Sims, Northwest Suburban Chicago Homes (RE/MAX Suburban)

Thanks, Lyn. I appreciate it.

02/15/2008 10:09 AM

by Kelle Sparta and the Sparta Success Systems Team (Sparta Success Systems)

Hi Kelle... as Andrew said, 540 people appreciated your card & efforts. We can't please everyone and shouldn't even try. Have a great weekend...

02/15/2008 11:52 AM

by The Blog Artist - marti garaughty (The Art Of Marketing You)

We sent a card to our clients to let them know how much we loved and appreciated them. Not one was offended. One responded "how sweet." People are not used to affection - especially from those we have not met in person. I think you should keep on being you, Kelle!

~Renae

02/15/2008 02:34 PM

by Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors, LLP)

Kelle:

That is great Kelle. It says alot about who you are. Hope you had a great Valentine's Day. Cassie Hansley

02/15/2008 02:47 PM

by Cassie Hansley (Remax Crossroads)

I don't think I would have reacted very well either to a total stranger saying they "loved" me. Appreciated me, loved having me as a client, etc...that's different. Saying "I Love you" to me is an extremely intimate and personal thing - in my opinion, you can't LOVE ME if you don't KNOW me.

That said, I probably would not have unsubscribed or written a snarky letter to you - I would have just ignored it. :-/ I appreciate where you're coming from, and I appreciate your desire to let your clients know how highly valued they are to you - I guess for me I save "LOVE" for people I am intimate with and don't want someone saying they love me if they don't even know me. kwim?

05/21/2008 09:03 AM

by Lake Wallenpaupack Pike County PA Real Estate | Karen E Rice (WEICHERT, REALTORS® Paupack Group )

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