There's an old expression that goes "There's no such thing as bad publicity."
...so I trust that Jeanne Bliss and Mike Chapman will benefit from the following.
Now before I get started, let me say that I love Jeanne Bliss. Not in a sexual or motherly way, but I dig her work. A longtime proponent of doing right by the customer, she has parlayed a wealth of experience at megacorps like Coldwell Banker, Allstate, Microsoft and Land's End into her own successful coaching, speaking and writing business/career. So when I get an email about/from her, I open it up immediately.
Now, as an author, I know that plugging a book is a tough slog, but this kind of stuff devalues the process. I copy and paste and bring it to you verbatim...with some comments in red itals.
Hello, Andy. (Uhh...punctuation check, please!)
Jeanne Bliss – www.customerbliss.com - who I’m working with, is about to have her new website completed and live (to coincide with the release of the book) (uh, what book?) and one of the things she’s really interested in doing is posting YouTubes (Congrats! YouTube videos have become proper nouns!) on the site under a “Decision/Vision” section that focuses on customer service.
The idea is to capture that moment on video when companies decide to be a great (a great what?) by being great at customer service. Of course an interview or recap is most practical since we don’t know when those moments are coming. (Huh?)
I’m wondering if you would be interested? (Uh, maybe, but interested in what exactly?) In true social media fashion we’re trying to ask and not tell people what we we’re looking for so I’d love any ideas you have. (Whoa! This really sucks. This is in true LAZINESS fashion. YOUR job IS to tell me what you're looking for. It's YOUR job to generate ideas for Jeanne, not mine. Don't try pull the wool over my eyes by playing the "social media" card.)
Also, would you like some copies of the new book to keep, giveaway, etc.? (Etc.? Like what, use as firewood?) All I need is an address and I can get you 5 or 10. (Now there's a qualifier for ya! How about a pulse? Or a knowledge of the English language? Or an interest in the subject matter? And only 5 or 10? Come on, you piker! Why not send a case so that I can return 'em to Borders and finance my weekend reverie?)
Thanks a bunch,
Mike Chapman
Now I'm sure Mike is a nice guy, kind to kids, pays his taxes, etc. But please, don't try to sell me a book about blissful customer experience with such a dreadful, error-ridden, sloppy and disrespectful (to both Jeanne and me) customer experience.
Hmmm...unless this is some brilliant anti-marketing showing how NOT to do it.
Jeanne, good luck with "I Love You More Than My Dog." I really hope it works and sells well. So much so that I'll close off this rant with a picture of it...
...and a link, for Mike, about Seth Godin's latest ventue. You may need it.