I just finished launching SEO Networker with Fernando Ceballos.

The launch went really well – thousands of visitors stopped by and viewed our free training videos.  Some even implemented these free information and have already seen some great results – just check out what this “UK grandma”, Susan Coils and also father-to-be Adam Holland were able to accomplish.

We gave away two SEO Networker scholarships to two folks who best implemented our SEO advice.

We even hosted a live free webinar where hundreds of folks were able to submit questions and we answered them live, right in front of a webcam streaming our handsome faces

Suffice to say, we gave away a ton of value, all for free.  All folks had to do was watch our videos and execute and they’ll get results (better rankings on the search engines which equate to more visitors, more sales, etc.).

As a result, we got a lot of “thank you’s“, compliments, questions, comments, etc.

When the Crowd Turns Ugly…

Of course, amidst all that feedback (that, frankly, made our heads get a bit bigger… than what they already are ), we also got some complaints, lame remarks, and shameless self-serving-begging.

Yep.  Folks were complaining and whining about the free information we gave away, the same info that WE utilize to build our business successfully and the same info that enabled folks like Adam, Susan, and many others (who bothered actually executing) get great results.

Some Folks Didn't Want to Earn It, They Just Wanted It for Free

People were whining how they didn’t learn anything, they thought the quality of the video was bad, yadi yadi yadi.  Some folks even had the nerve to ask for “free admission” to our program – apparently they felt that they “deserve” it…  And one of my favorites...»

Heck, we even got a heckler, “Jon the Disbarred Lawyer“, during our LIVE webinar!  I couldn’t believe this guy – he was saying some truly offensive and annoying stuff (via our live questions submission service).  At first I was going to let it go… but the guy kept pushing it.

The Customer is NOT Always Right

I had to say something.  I think too many of us, as business-builders, still buy into the misleading notion that the “customer” is always right.  I wholeheartedly believe in Dan Kennedy’s advice of “firing some of your customers“.  Why?

Because some customers cost more than they are worth.

They cost you your time, your emotions, and even money – with their incessant negativity, constant complaints, and unreasonable demands.  They don the entitlement-attitude.  Don’t bother with such customers – you will never win.  They are never worth keeping around.  They are not worth the headaches they’ll cause you.

So with that in mind, I openly banned Jon from joining our SEO Networker mastermind.  After all, I wouldn’t want him tainting our group with his B.S.

It’s Okay to Fire Customers & It’s Okay to Speak Up

You see, as I was discussing with my good friend, Jim Yaghi, the other day…  Far too many of us online marketers/business builders just “take it“.  We feel like we shouldn’t/can’t fight back, that we should just ignore all the trolls out there bashing our names, pissing on the hard work we’ve put in.

In essence, we let others walk all over us.  That needs to stop.  We need to have some self-respect and stand up for ourselves.  Let folks know when they are wrong, give them a lesson that, heck, who knows, may help them in the long wrong.  Maybe they ARE just that ignorant but that’s never an excuse.

Help them learn that it’s NOT okay to be an a-hole.

Drawing a Fine Line

However, and heed this carefully, I am not saying to react to every single negative comment thrown your way.  I am not saying to get affected by what everyone has to say.  Because as you become more and more well known and as your business grows and reach more folks, you will inevitably get exposed to more trolls

You WILL get flak from your customers.  You will get negative crap thrown haphazardly your way.  You can’t (and you won’t) please everybody.

Heck, you should take it as a COMPLIMENT that you are getting some negative stuff (amidst a lot more POSITIVE feedback of course).

That’s one indicator you’ve arrived

You just have to pick your battles carefully.  Do enough so folks know not to try and take advantage of you.  But don’t get bogged down by the negative stuff either.

Keep it real,

Raymond