Yesterday I mentioned that I loved the new Showtime TV show about Roger Ailes (the former head of Fox News).
And per usual, a few people on my list threw a hissy fit about it.
“That guy is responsible for so much hate in this world! I can’t believe you’d recommend this“
Oh boy.
This kind of thinking doesn’t surprise me.
People now-a-days are so ingrained in their political beliefs, that they can’t even open their mind to something different.
This kind of thinking is becoming normal.
However…
I’ll warn you…
As a marketer, this is a big mistake...
Why?
Because you always want to study what the smartest people are doing whether you agree with them or not.
For example…
I’m personally on mailing lists for super liberal people like Elizabeth Warren…
And also super right-wing guys like Trump…
Why?
Because I want to study their copy!
I want to see the pain points they hit on in their direct mail campaigns.
And the words they use in their emails.
Politicians know exactly what to say (and what not to say) to get more money.
So for a $20 donation, I get to see the results of all their testing.
That’s a steal.
And almost anyone can do it.
But most people are too ingrained in their own beliefs to learn from someone on the “other side”.
To me that’s idiotic.
The idea that you can’t learn from someone with differing political views than you is nuts.
And frankly it says more about your lack of boundaries than anything.
Cause if you can’t watch a TV show about Roger Ailes without getting all riled up…
Or if you can’t read an email from Elizabeth Warren without getting triggered…
Then you have some serious issues.
Cause you’re just automatically taking on what they’re saying.
So you’re not able to simply watch it (or read it) and not take it personally.
A person with good boundaries can do that.
And frankly this lack of boundaries is why so many people surround themselves with people who ONLY think like they do.
But here’s the deal…
This is a recipe for disaster if you’re a marketer.
Cause there’s no faster way to be “out of touch” with your customer than to surround yourself with people who only think like you.
Then you just live in a little bubble.
And you start to think everyone thinks like you.
Not true.
And like I said, a big mistake.
Point being…
It doesn’t matter what your beliefs are when it comes to politics, if you care about being a good marketer, you want to learn from EVERYONE who’s at the top of their game.
Whether you agree with them or not.
Make sense?
Hope so.
I’m off to take George for a quick run at the park, and then getting prepped for our Copy Accelerator call today.
Be back tomorrow with more.
Take care,
– Justin
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