❌DON'T MAKE MY MISTAKE❌
During my quiet time last week, I remembered a mistake I made a week after my book launch years ago and decided to share it; who knows? Someone might learn a thing or two from it.
I was very blessed to hit 6 figures in less than one week of the online launch of my book. In fact, I had someone pay N50,000 for copies of my book and an organization paid N100,000 for just 4 copies of my books with the notepads inclusive in just 3 days after the launch of my book.
However, I felt everyone needed to get my book so I gave some copies of my books and notepads to my elder brother to give some people. These people had not indicated interest but I felt they needed to read the book.
One beautiful Wednesday morning in July, I got a call from my grandmother. She wanted me to accompany her to see a family who came in from Canada. I obliged and we got to their very decent apartment. We exchanged greetings and we got seated.
One of the women there said, " Sweetheart, your uncle told me about your book; I hope you brought copies for me?" As I was about answering her, her brother said, "See my small Adede o, I even heard it's your second book. I need my own copy and for my wife as well."
I smiled and told him the book was basically for singles but he insisted saying, "We learn everyday and no one can know it all."
I told them I had to go bring it from my house immediately and asked if they wanted the notepad as well. They said, "Bring everything pertaining to the book. We want the complete package."
I immediately left their apartment to my house to get the books and noticed that I only had 2 notepads left. I had to call my sister to get some notepads from her. She bought the books and the notepads from me few days ago. I couldn't reach my elder brother to get the ones I gave him to give some dignitaries.
Immediately they saw the packaging of the book, they screamed and beckoned on me to follow them to the inner room. I was paid over for the books I gave them. In short, I was paid in dollars, prayed for and they all insisted I signed their books.
As I got home that day, I laughed at myself for thinking I had to beg people to buy my books or pay for my services. I was glad that I learnt that lesson very early. That explains why I don't force people to get my books. If someone sends me a DM requesting for my book, I reply and allow the person make his/her choice to get it or not; the most I do is to send a reminder once and that's it.
Hear this, stop begging people to buy your products or patronize you. Just make sure you are good and look for ways to advertise what you do but by no means should you feel you have to force people.
Your book is not for everyone neither is your product or services; the earlier you understand this, the more focused and peaceful your life will become
Today, I took stock of the hard copies of my books and noticed I have few copies left out of the hundreds of hard copies I printed. I would have felt terrible if my sister had given out the 5 notepads she got from me and I had nothing to give my beautiful Canadian clients while I had given free copies to my brother to give people who never asked for it.
It's the same thing we sometimes do- giving our attention, energy, talent to those who do not value it just because we feel no one would want us, not knowing that there are people willingly waiting to welcome us, celebrate us and make us feel extremely special.
You don't need validation from everyone to make it in life. You only need validation from those that matter in your area of specialization.
Keep being phenomenal while working smart to achieve your goals. In a little while, you will be living the life you once fantasized about. Remember that giving up shouldn't be your option.
#OdyAgborwrites#
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