A punch in the mouth

The HR person asked me during the interview: “Can you consider yourself as someone creative?”

This was many years ago.

I was a fresh graduate at that time—a Philosophy major applying for a Junior Project Manager position. I didn’t know how to answer that question. 

The way my mind works is that, 

“Ok. Creativity is related to arts and crafts… Oh crap I don’t know arts and crafts”

So of course I answered,

“Yes.”

I mean, saying no is my ticket out the door. I didn’t want that. So…

“I’m the go-to guy in our family when doing school or personal projects. People always ask for my help, I guess because I have a creative mind…”

True story. 

But I saw the HR lady’s face, and she didn’t seem impressed. Of course, I felt the need to double down on my answer…

“And I also loved painting and drawing when I was a kid. So yeah, I think I can consider myself creative.”

Oooof. I knew right away I had made it worse. I saw it in her face. But gurl, that’s the truth.

I get it tho, that face.

Nobody says “Yes, I drew when I was 10. Please hire me.” in an interview.

But in my defense, I really didn’t expect that question. I thought the position was all about research and writing stuff.

That’s what I prepared for.

I memorized my line for “tell me about yourself” type of questions. I even practiced in front of the mirror.

But that’s no use.

I should have listened to Mike Tyson when he said:

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

I got punched in the mouth, nose, eyes, ears, and gut on that interview. I learned to expect the unexpected.

I guess that’s what Coach Hanz had been doing in his last 2 emails. He’s just answering questions from the email list. 

And that last one? That kind of response from somebody really happen. And you can’t really prepare every line to answer that.

But yes, that’s a HUGE part of the strategy. 

That’s writing emails live instead of pre-planning everything. It just gives the campaign more flexibility. 

You see, there will be unexpected events that will happen, and it might throw your launch off. You can get punched in the mouth.

But writing it live and on the fly helps you roll with the punches. 

PLUS. The readers will never feel like you’re faking stuff. 

They won’t feel how you feel when watching those influencer videos, you know are 100% scripted.

You’re always giving them something new and alive.

But that does not mean you should never use pre-planned emails.

Because you HAVE to.

They’re awesome! Just on a different context.

If you use personality-based emails for automated cart-abandonment sequences, welcome sequences, upsells, session reminders, and such?

It will make your biz way more attractive to your enthusiasts. 

And that, I can bring.

Just stick with me here because when you need it, I’ll let you know if there’s a spot on my client list.

For now, the Comeback Contract is about to end.

Let’s hear it for Coach Hanz one last time.

Check your inbox now.

Johnrille