An ode to hate mail

I moved to California last week to start working with a new client.

Yesterday, we had a meeting to talk projects — a podcast and a book.

Both will be successful. She has an incredible story. In fact, she already paid a ghost writer $100,000 to write a draft.

The only problem is she doesn’t like it.

“It’s fucking boring,” she says.

I read it, and it’s not boring, but it doesn’t get the job done.

You’ll hear more about my client and the book soon. Yesterday’s meeting was focused on the podcast.

Her core team was there with us, and we were fleshing out possibilities — angles, appeals, interview guests — stuff like that.

She has some fairly controversial opinions on how to run a business and take care of a family. 

Her ideas are contrary to a lot of popular, mainstream wisdom. 

Her right hand man and I were pushing her to lean hard into these controversial positions.

Her response:

“But won’t I get a bunch of hate mail?”

We replied:

“Yes you will, and it will be fucking amazing.”

Hate mail is good.

Provided it’s coming for the right reason.

If you’re just being a jerk or doing evil things, then you’re not getting the kind of hate mail I’m talking about.

I’m talking about hate mail that comes as a result of you being willing to speak openly and honestly about how you think things are and/or should be.

Or as a result of you sharing your story and life experience, as is — without the filters.

The hate mail provides ample opportunities for compelling content, but that’s not the main reason why it’s good.

The main reason you shouldn’t have a problem with getting hate mail is because of good ‘ol Newton’s Third Law of Motion:

“for every reaction, there’s an equal and opposite reaction.”

If you’re saying and doing things that make people react in such a way that they take the time to send hate mail, you are most certainly going to be getting profound love mail as well.

If you’re not getting any hate mail, the best you’re going to get is “like mail.”

You want love mail, yeah?

The people who write love mail are the people who will buy stuff from you — show up for your programs, read your books, and come to your classes.

So go forth and get some hate mail.