I know I said that this site was going to be all about fun. But sometimes the playground bully comes along and steals your soccer ball and you just have to tell on her. Yes, her.
Ready for a rant? I’m paying good money to belong to a (shall not be named) forum. I’m new in town, and haven’t posted anything until yesterday. What a mistake. I should have just continued lurking.
I had a discussion outside the forum, regarding marketing — and then took my question to this “supportive forum” to get opinions and feedback. I asked (politely with no ranting) for feedback about a marketing practice that I consider high pressure and unnecessary.
I received a few polite, helpful replies. But then one of the people (who started the forum and takes my money every month) puts in her 2 cents. “It’s irresponsible to do x before y.” Say WHAT? I never said I was going to do x or y. I was asking for advice and you’re calling me irresponsible? I beg your pardon! Then she went on to question who I was, what my role is and basically saying “who the h@!! do you think you are, daring to question marketing wisdom?” Wait. I thought that’s what we were here for. To explore new territory and express how we view some marketing practices, and find good, viable alternatives.
What I want to know is, what happened to “relationship building” and “tribes”? Hmmmmm???? I’m here for the FUN. I’m here for the experience. I”m here because I want to learn, and I paid good money for this abuse. I don’t need some overblown self-proclaimed expert questioning my credentials before they even know my name!
Don’t get me wrong. I am well aware that I’m not always right, that my credentials may not stack up to some people’s, but I wasn’t proclaiming that I knew anything. I was asking for help and advice, for goodness sake. I think this bully could use a few lessons in customer experience.
Just take the dang soccer ball and go. I don’t want it anymore.
