Totally agree with you as always, Michael. As the oft stated phrase says “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Thank for the nice story that proves it.
Thank you for the reminder to nurture my existing garden. Wow…I’m a bit humbled as I’ve just been thinking about me me me. How do I get more more more…Ugh! 😣 a bit of humbling doesn’t hurt anybody. I am grateful for this…thank you. 🙏🏾
Hahah. Been there. Like most everything I write, the reminders are just as much for me as anyone else as when I do get out of my own head and focus on other people, good things tend to happen.
Absolutely 💯 percent agreed. I think the universe knew I needed a swift kick in the butt of eyes off self and eyes on others. That’s where the blessings are. If I may…it’s rather ironic that as a writer one wants to inspire others but there’s that look at me, look what I wrote…see me! But it’s in the seeing others first that you get “seen”…anyways…I could go on with the lesson I’ve learned today. I will end it with another thank you and looking forward to reading and learning from more of your work.
Haha - love it. if you write a post about the importance of thoughtful questions, something like “caring is king and questions are the conduit.” But the words - caring, kind, crown, conduit, question, connection etc are good ones to play with for sure. So great to see you yesterday and I hope your meeting went well.
I didn’t get on Substack to become famous, or liked, or rich. Well I actually could use some cash. I got on Substack to be seen, to be used as a cautionary example of how easily one can be led astray. If my stories make someone cry, laugh, or think, my work has been successful. Underneath all of that is my desire to be kind to everyone. So I thank you for this, some of the best advice I’ve ever heard!
I could use some cash too. If you get any you don't need, do keep me in mind Jack. Same as you also, the goal is laughter, tears, or to make someone see something through a new lens. Will dig into your work over the weekend as "cautionary example" piqued my interest.
"caring is king" that's a great line, I will remember that! And it's so true, meaningful connections are worth way more than just pumping out soulless content!
Couldn't agree more. I think Michaela Cohn said it best when she warned in her Grammy acceptance speech - ".....feel the need to be constantly visible — for visibility these days seems to somehow equate to success." The online game can be a trap and content just for the sake of visibility and outside validation can rob your soul before you know it.
Yes! A great reminder that writing comes from and is for people. Whole hearted, frail, powerful people. And the more we see each other, the more we care, and the more connection we feel. Thank you for this. I want to slow down and savor those in my life in the world and online.
Don Boivin of Shy Guy Meets the Buddha is an awesome substack example and role model of this. Every single time someone comments on his stuff, he replies back and always includes thank you for commenting in his reply. He’s built a great loyal and engaged following of readers and subscribers in just one year by doing just that.
That was an excellent article. You are spot on. Caring is always the most important quality in relationships; maybe that's why I'm an empath.
In the past, I had some coaching sessions for different purposes, and once we finished, I would get automated replies with thank you that would anger me and make me feel like I didn't matter.
We must show our appreciation to those who invest time in us.
Totally agree Yannis. The best things can't be automated and if you're using robots or tech to speed up your appreciation in people, you're in trouble. Really nice to see your name here today.
Totally agree with you as always, Michael. As the oft stated phrase says “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Thank for the nice story that proves it.
Thanks Heléna. I love that phrase. It's so very true.
Thank you for the reminder to nurture my existing garden. Wow…I’m a bit humbled as I’ve just been thinking about me me me. How do I get more more more…Ugh! 😣 a bit of humbling doesn’t hurt anybody. I am grateful for this…thank you. 🙏🏾
Hahah. Been there. Like most everything I write, the reminders are just as much for me as anyone else as when I do get out of my own head and focus on other people, good things tend to happen.
Absolutely 💯 percent agreed. I think the universe knew I needed a swift kick in the butt of eyes off self and eyes on others. That’s where the blessings are. If I may…it’s rather ironic that as a writer one wants to inspire others but there’s that look at me, look what I wrote…see me! But it’s in the seeing others first that you get “seen”…anyways…I could go on with the lesson I’ve learned today. I will end it with another thank you and looking forward to reading and learning from more of your work.
We teach best what we need to learn is the story of life
That is a fantastic piece. It will stay with me forever. Thank you so much Michael.
Wow, thanks for that Marie-Camille. BTW I love your website and illustrations. So very cool. Aka I'm so very jealous;).
Been a content marketing guy for about a decade, and editor before that, so I have LOVED the "Content Is King" line from the first time I saw it.
Made an addition to it a few years ago, "Content is king, but distribution is emperor."
Time to make another tweak: "Caring is king; Content is the vehicle." Or carrier, car, rickshaw . . . hell, something like that.
I've always thought that the root of all good marketing is actually giving a damn - caring - about your customers.
I'll be thinking about Joe often now. Thanks for sharing his story.
"Caring is king; Content is the carrier." Not bad. Good beat to it.
Almost alliteration!
Actually one more revision:
Caring is King.
Questions are the conduit.
Being a Contribution is the destination.
That makes four cents.
Haha - love it. if you write a post about the importance of thoughtful questions, something like “caring is king and questions are the conduit.” But the words - caring, kind, crown, conduit, question, connection etc are good ones to play with for sure. So great to see you yesterday and I hope your meeting went well.
I’ve been pondering this all day.
Caring is the king.
Questions are the conduit.
Listening (for another’s soul) is the destination.
My two cents. 😊
OK, while I really like this, not sure that "listening for another's soul" is always applicable in B2B marketing :)
I mean, businesses should care about their customers, but that seems a little extreme!
Though, hmmmmmm, that level of (not faked) love and care and understanding might be a good destination.
Requires more noodling with the noggin.
Appreciate the back and forth. I noodle on these things too. I look forward to checking out your Substack.
Same. I look forward to getting my substack in order .too Some needed changes I've been dawdling on making that are hurting me.
I didn’t get on Substack to become famous, or liked, or rich. Well I actually could use some cash. I got on Substack to be seen, to be used as a cautionary example of how easily one can be led astray. If my stories make someone cry, laugh, or think, my work has been successful. Underneath all of that is my desire to be kind to everyone. So I thank you for this, some of the best advice I’ve ever heard!
I could use some cash too. If you get any you don't need, do keep me in mind Jack. Same as you also, the goal is laughter, tears, or to make someone see something through a new lens. Will dig into your work over the weekend as "cautionary example" piqued my interest.
Don’t try these at home!
Brilliant. I will start working on a way to do this. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you Mimi. I hope 2025 is starting off well for you and yours.
"caring is king" that's a great line, I will remember that! And it's so true, meaningful connections are worth way more than just pumping out soulless content!
Couldn't agree more. I think Michaela Cohn said it best when she warned in her Grammy acceptance speech - ".....feel the need to be constantly visible — for visibility these days seems to somehow equate to success." The online game can be a trap and content just for the sake of visibility and outside validation can rob your soul before you know it.
Yes! A great reminder that writing comes from and is for people. Whole hearted, frail, powerful people. And the more we see each other, the more we care, and the more connection we feel. Thank you for this. I want to slow down and savor those in my life in the world and online.
Slow down seems to be the key to everything - run when you're young, then walk.
Really enjoyed your post. I'm in complete agreement with you. Kindness compounds exponentially.
Thank you Andrea.
Taylor swift has always been good at this
She does a lot right. Maybe her music isn't for everyone but hard not to respect her as an artist and human being.
And marketing genius!
Don Boivin of Shy Guy Meets the Buddha is an awesome substack example and role model of this. Every single time someone comments on his stuff, he replies back and always includes thank you for commenting in his reply. He’s built a great loyal and engaged following of readers and subscribers in just one year by doing just that.
I need to get to know Don.
Yes, you do. He’s very special. I’d love to be on the call where you two curious souls get curious about each other.
Beautiful thought!
Thank you Yolanda.
Great story and an even better point behind it. Thanks for sharing Michael.
I appreciate that Ben.
This, this, this, this, this. So beautiful, so powerful. Thank you for this reminder. 💛🙏
Like most everything I write, reminder for me also. Got overwhelmed this week with "me" things....again.
Hi Michael,
That was an excellent article. You are spot on. Caring is always the most important quality in relationships; maybe that's why I'm an empath.
In the past, I had some coaching sessions for different purposes, and once we finished, I would get automated replies with thank you that would anger me and make me feel like I didn't matter.
We must show our appreciation to those who invest time in us.
Totally agree Yannis. The best things can't be automated and if you're using robots or tech to speed up your appreciation in people, you're in trouble. Really nice to see your name here today.
Thank you, that was powerful.
Means a lot coming from you Diana.