Calls to action, known as CTAs in the marketing world, are the little blurbs at the end of blog posts, emails, social posts, etc. directing the visitor what to do next. Writing them can feel like pulling teeth.

Or at least, it felt like pulling teeth for me for years. YEARS, I TELL YOU! I would wrap a beautifully helpful post with, “Let me know your thoughts.”

What?

…

Whhhyyy?

It was a holdover from my corporate days. THAT’S why. I was spewing corporate garbage at humans, thinking it was The Way (cue “The Mandalorian” theme song).

My Three Realizations

1. I WAS IN A CONVINCING ENERGY

Something that shifted my entire business was the shift from convincing energy to service energy. I serve others; I educate. I do not need to convince anyone of anything. If what I say doesn’t resonate with someone, I want them to leave it be.

2. I WAS TRYING TO FORCE A CONNECTION

I was trying to bully my way into a relationship with people. If I kept demanding they speak to me, they would. (How disgusting and toxic!) I don’t want to spoil the ending to this one but it did NOT work.

Now I extend an invitation. This allows others a space to speak and let’s them know they’re seen. Treating people like people goes a long way.

3. I FORGOT ABOUT MY VALUE

I’m really good at what I do, and I would get so caught up in “figuring out” a CTA, I’d forget that there actually is something in it for the people reading. It isn’t a shady marketing trick – inviting a reply begins a conversation wherein I can deliver massive value for someone.

I believe in giving away my knowledge. If you speak with me, I will tell you everything I know. People pay me for the continued support, the implementation, the customization, etc. But I don’t gatekeep my knowledge and I lost sight of that.

So what’s today’s CTA?

It’s to connect with me where I actually am: IG DMs, if you want to chat. If you’re neurodivergent, I hang out in my group here.