I just recieved an email from a woman regarding an event I am promoting. Her message read, “Aren’t you the gal who cancelled an event at the last minute?”
I looked in my database to see what event she had previously signed up for. Yes, in fact, the event had been cancelled – at the last minute.
Like my colleagues, I will do whatever I possibly can to never cancel events. In the 17 plus years I have been holding platform presentations, webinars and teleseminars I have cancelled fewer times than I can count on one hand.
The reason for cancellations: death or serious illness of a family member.
I suppose I am venting a bit but I wonder if some people fail to take into consideration that online marketers will occassionally have “life” happen. There are times where we have no control over what is occuring and have to do what we feel is the most appropriate based on the circumstances.
The question that I pose is this, “Is someone ever justified in canceling an event? If yes, under what circumstances?”
If you have ever had an event cancelled that you planned to attend were you forgiving of the expert or did you simply assume they had bad business etiquette.
Have you ever had to cancel an event? If yes, what were the circumstances?
The fact is, those of us doing business online are human. We do make mistakes, we have life happen and sometimes technology fails to cooperate with us.
We do all we can to assure we don’t have to rock the boat, but it may be unavoidable. And the more activity we have going on the more likely it is something could turn out differently than planned.
So I ask, “Are you as forgiving of others as you would want them to be with you?”
Comments welcome and encouraged.
I’ve been on both sides of the fence…been registered for events that have been canceled…and have had to cancel events I am hosting due to a sudden illness, Internet connection that failed, or some other unforeseen events. People, and technology, are far from perfect. It’s not a matter of “if” things will hiccup…but when. Even rock stars get colds and have to cancel sold-out concerts.
I not only forgive presenters when events don’t go as planned, but I feel their pain and disappointment when they fail to deliver as promised. In 99% of of cases Internet marketers are doing their very best to deliver great value.
That said, some excuses are pretty lame. I’ve heard things like “my schedule is too full right now” or “it’s more work than I thought it would be when I committed to present”. Urrrgh! Not cool.
I totally agree with Cathy. Acceptance of our humanness is about making one another real. It is when we objectify one another that we blame and get angry for even being human. Technology is so unpredictable. Technology is logical and there are so many variables and protocols that don’t necessarily speak congruently to each other. You just never know what’s going to happen.
You’re so right Cathy. There are many people who don’t realize that this “stuff” takes time and effort.
Thanks for the comments Cheryl.
Kathleen
I’ve had to cancel a couple of teleseminars, Both times I was very sick and let my list know about 4 days out, explained the situation, and while some were dissapointed, I did make it up a few weeks later when I finally was okay, and they all raved that these were the best they had heard from me.
I have to admit that during the “down time” I was thinking, and even reading and writing to make sure the sessions were excellent and well received.
Everyone gets sick sometimes! And, I usually plan on my sessions on a quarterly basis so I can juggle my schedule.
Thanks for the question.
I agree with you all – we’re only human, and life happens. A little over a year ago, I had all sorts of events planned – on and off line. My husband suddenly passed away and I had to cancel everything. There were one or two people who were not understanding at all. Their response was “Well, going on with the teleseminar would at least have taken your mind off your husband.” REALLY? Sometimes, I just don’t understand people.
Currently, I have a weekly call scheduled at 9:30am Monday mornings. I have a feeling its not a good time because no one has joined the call. However; I’m there every Monday, hanging in. After 15 minutes I end the call and then record my message. Seems that my followers prefer the recordings. I’ll keep on truckin’ – and will give this some more time to catch on. But, watch, the day I decide to end my torture will be the day someone decides to call in and participte. And that’s the day I get nailed. LOL
Eydie 🙂
Living in the space of compassion is such an extraordinary gift to give others and ourselves.