Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter for reluctant salespeople. At the end of the year, I reviewed some of the books that helped me make sense of a chaotic moment – history, politics, persuasion, health, habits, and fiction. This isn't so much a “best of” list as a map of my curiosity and a guide to staying sane. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. At the end of the year, I thought it would be fun to review some of my...
11 days ago • 8 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter for reluctant salespeople. Most people don’t need to be convinced - they need permission. Today's article is about why persuading the unpersuadable is a waste of energy, and what to do instead. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. The Danger of Persuading the Unpersuadable Years ago, when I was working alongside the Persuasive Technology Lab at Stanford, BJ Fogg told me not to try to...
18 days ago • 4 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter for reluctant salespeople. A VC asked me to make a rocket ship documentary. I told them they didn’t need a video. Here’s why respecting boundaries does more selling than a pitch ever could. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. Why We Hate Salespeople The reason we don’t like salespeople is they don’t respect our boundaries. When a telemarketer continues to say, “This will only take one...
24 days ago • 6 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter for reluctant salespeople. I once worked as a personal trainer at a bodybuilder’s gym—complete with men in speedos flexing in front of the mirrors. I got fired because I couldn’t sell in that high-pressure environment, but then something strange happened: I started landing clients on the street by doing the exact opposite of “closing.” If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. Never Close a...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter for reluctant salespeople. A few weeks ago, my friend Michael – who helps authors sharpen their ideas –asked me a deceptively simple question: What are the Commandments of Reluctant Sales? If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. A few weeks ago, I spent several hours with my friend Michael, a ghostwriter who helps authors clarify their ideas. One of the fun tasks he gave me out of our...
about 1 month ago • 6 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter for reluctant salespeople. Most people either ask too many questions or avoid them altogether — both are forms of resistance. This week’s essay breaks down why asking the right questions matters in sales, conflict, and every high-pressure moment in life. If you want clearer thinking and better outcomes, start by improving the questions you ask. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. In...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic selling in a chaotic world. I’ve never put together a gift guide before, but with the holidays coming up and two years of “3 Things I’ve Loved” in the Snafu newsletter, it felt like the right time to try. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. My First Ever Gift Guide I’ve never compiled a gift guide before, but with the holidays around the corner and two years of “3...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic selling in a chaotic world. Asking for what you want isn’t one big act of courage – it’s a lot of tiny ones. This week, I share how BJ Fogg’s “tiny habits” and a little celebration can help turn reluctant salespeople into more consistent ones. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. I started the How to Sell Yourself cohort series when, independently and within weeks of...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic selling in a chaotic world. A few months ago, I started collecting Snafu articles into categories and was surprised by how many taught the tactics of doing something very specific. These experiments began with the same phrase — “This might work” — which is the title of my new book. I’m pleased to share This Might Work with you for free today! If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you?...
2 months ago • 3 min read