The day I realized that the more you want to attract customers, the more you push them away

As a freelance hairdresser, I had always thought one thing.
I wanted to get better at attracting new customers.

I'm active on social media and posting content.
But honestly, I always felt like something was missing.

So, I took the plunge and went to Marketing Week at Tokyo Big Sight.
I really wanted to learn about marketing.

Before leaving, I drank a 7-Eleven Assam milk tea that I can't get in Chiba.
It didn't really mean anything, but I wanted to get myself pumped up.

The moment I arrived at the venue, the atmosphere was different.

Every time I approached a booth, people would call out to me.
They would hand me business cards.
Then they would immediately start explaining their services.

"It's a special price for today only."
"We can definitely help you attract customers."
"Just leave your contact information."

Honestly, it was exhausting.

I found out later.
That place wasn't a "place to learn," it was a "place to sell."

I had completely misunderstood.
I thought I had come to learn, but from the start, I was just someone being sold to.

Before I knew it, I was thinking:

"I want to get out of here as soon as possible."

No matter how good what they were saying sounded, it wouldn't sink in.
If anything, it just made me want to keep my distance.

That's when it hit me.

Am I doing this too?

"Please come in."
"Please follow me."
"I have openings for appointments."

Am I being too pushy without realizing it?

The things I'm doing with good intentions,
could very well be the exact things pushing people away.

When people come on too strong, others pull back.
I learned this with my whole body.

So, what should I do?

Don't push.

Keep posting.
Show your skills.
Properly reveal your personality.

That is all you need to do.

Trust isn't something you force yourself to take,
it's something that builds up on its own.

However, it's not just about posting anything.

Who do you want to reach?
What do you want to convey?

If these are off, no matter how much you post, you'll be ignored.

It's not about quantity.
It's about that one post that truly reaches someone.

Face that properly.

On the way home, while thinking about such things,
I praised myself just a little for coming into the city and drinking Assam milk tea.

I don't think it was a waste.

That was my day off.🫣
Thank you for reading until the end!