Pretty sure it was the increasingly-sketchy buyer from Facebook Marketplace (who I’d supplied with my address), I hesitated. Then I figured, if I’m getting abducted, I’d rather know now than worry about it indefinitely.
I opened the door.
A large work truck was parked in front of my house. Oh no!
Walking away from my door, the man turned around and said, “Hi! I just wanted to make sure you got the money. I left it behind the flower pot.”
Holding the newly-procured vest, he said jubilantly, “This is great!” and proceeded to try it on. It fit him perfectly. I told him how great it looked, and we had a really lovely, genuine, human exchange. I wasn’t just relieved, I was inspired.
The point?
This man’s written words did not reflect his joyful, warm personality. They made him sound gruff, confused, and like a sketchball.
Don’t do this on your website. Sound like YOU on your website.
While I doubt your current website is making people fear for their safety, wouldn’t it be nice to have words that accurately reflect you, so that your prospects will want to take the next step — and when they do, it will be seamless — like they were talking to (smart, passionate, authentic) you the whole time?
And so they have absolutely no fears about you kidnapping them?
Yup. I agree!
That’s why I do this.
…the writing, not the FB marketplace-ing. That’s just because 1) I love getting rid of things in continual pursuit of a clutter-free lifestyle, which as of right now still eludes me, 2) I enjoy giving things away or selling nice things for $5, because it makes people really happy to get a bargain, and I guess because 3) Every once in a while, it provides the kind of scary-movie-but-real-life endorphin rush that makes me grateful to be alive.
P.S. See the happy exchange I would have missed by not opening the door?
P.P.S. I’m usually a great judge of character, but I do tend to see the best in people. So just in case I read this whole thing wrong — and do go missing — check my Messenger log.