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Communicating to your readers when you need to cancel

In a coaching call in our Learning Community, one of our members had asked about how to communicate with her email list about cancelling/postponing a class.

She had been launching a class at the end of the year, but then was hit by sickness and other things that lingered on, and made it impossible to follow through.

So, quite naturally, she was worried about how to communicate to her readers about it.

I have so faced this in the past, cancelling, or changing course, on a launch. It can seem embarrassing, as if somehow it will undermine your relationships of trust and your business.

What I told her about I how think of this, has to do with support and consent in relationships.

Your readers have not agreed to be your emotional support.

This is really the clincher. It’s easy in these kinds of situations to look toward your audience, and in making a statement like “I have to cancel this class,” really be saying, “Is it okay? Am I okay? Do you still like me?” Or other kinds of unspoken, please take-care-of-me messages.

So… the first order of the day in these situations is to lean deeply, profoundly into your support systems. Best friends, healers, colleagues. The folks who can see you in your imperfection and struggle, and can help you process through the emotions that are there.

Whew.

Then, having walked through THAT.

Once your heart is feeling a little stronger, start to ask, “How is this in service to my audience? To my clients? What is important here?”

In our discussion during the community coaching call, we played with the truth that it’s powerful to prioritize one’s own health over the push of capitalism, that “the show must go on” no matter what.

She didn’t fail at all in cancelling her class. She made a very powerful choice for her own good. Communicating the choice, how it was made and why is actually right in line with the work she does with her clients.

In taking some time for her own care, and standing up for her decision, she saw how powerful a message this was to clients.

Besides, truthfully, the class wasn’t cancelled, it was just postponed.

90% of marketing challenges.

Something my clients hear me say often is, “90% of marketing and sales challenges can be fixed with honesty.”

Usually not the snap-judgment “honesty” of your fear’s first reaction. But the deeper honesty of seeing the big picture, the truth of what’s actually going on. And then communicating it with your folks.

Life is messy, so is business.

We make plans, then life happens and the plans need to change, or we risk hurting ourselves or other people. It’s inspiring to see our community member make a choice that prioritizes her health over the relentless beat of “you can’t stop!”

Because you can stop. You very much can.

Communicating when you do stop, or otherwise change direction, can be a healthy, wonderful opportunity to deepen trust and connection with your people.

Remember: make the choice that is right for you, for your entire life, and healthy, and self-care. Get the emotional support you need, and then communicate the deeper truth about your decision. And everything will be just fine.

How does this land with you? What’s your experience with communicating changes in business direction?

With love,

Mark Silver, M.Div.
Heart of Business, Inc.
Every act of business can be an act of love.

Opening in February:

Our Learning Community hasn’t had an open enrollment since the middle of 2019, but we’re about to open up for new members in mid-February. It’s one of the most powerful, cost-effective (pay from the heart) supports for heart-centered business.Take a look, if you need support, and see what’s included. You can join the wait list, too, and hear sooner than most.

Click: The Heart of Business Learning Community

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32 Responses

  1. very nice and informative article “Communicating to your readers when you need to cancel” it help me to get more readers for blog and also help for enhancing the article quality. Thankyou vey much

    Reply

  18. Hello Dear,

    I am also a webmaster. i am doing blogging seen 3 yr’s. yes this article is very helpful. Based on real example. Thanks for shearing this awesome post. Thanks

    Reply

  21. I am so glad to read your article. In this article you well explained about Communicating to your readers when you need to cancel. I am a passionate motorcycle blogger. I will apply this.

    Reply

  24. This Article is very useful . but i need some more info? what to do if a customer is not willing to reply ti follow up msgs. will it look to nagging ?

    Thanks

    Reply

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