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Stop Asking for My Number: A Rant on Social Media Marketing Etiquette

Look, I get it. You’re a business trying to make sales. But let me tell you something that really grinds my gears – especially you real estate agents and property marketers in Bali. When you advertise on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, and I show interest, don’t you dare ask for my phone number or WhatsApp right off the bat. It’s rude, it’s pushy, and it’s a surefire way to lose my business.

Think about it. If we met in person for the first time, would you immediately ask for my number? Hell no! That would be creepy and inappropriate. So why do you think it’s okay to do it online?

Here’s a newsflash: If you’re advertising on Instagram, talk to me on Instagram. It’s that simple. Don’t try to move the conversation to a more personal platform before we’ve even established a rapport. You wouldn’t do that in real life, so don’t do it online.

To all you businesses out there, especially the property vultures in Bali, here’s how you should be doing it:

1. Respect my privacy. Social media platforms exist for a reason. Use them.

2. Provide value first. Give me the information I asked for without strings attached.

3. Build trust. Show me why I should bother giving you my personal contact info.

4. Ask permission. If you must have my number, ask politely and explain why.

5. Accept ‘no’ for an answer. If I’m not comfortable sharing, back off.

Remember, you’re not entitled to my personal information just because I showed interest in your ad. Treat online interactions with the same respect and etiquette you would in-person encounters.

To the businesses that get it right: thank you. To those who don’t: shape up or ship out. My WhatsApp is for friends and family, not for every Tom, Dick, and Harry trying to sell me a villa in Canggu.

In conclusion, if you want my business, earn it. Don’t ask for my number on the first date, and definitely don’t ask for it in the first message. It’s not just annoying – it’s bad business. Do better.

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Zsolt Zsemba

Zsolt Zsemba has worn many different hats. He has been an entrepreneur, and businessman for over 30 years. Living abroad has given him many amazing experiences in life and also sparked his imagination for writing. After moving to Canada from Hungary at the age of 10 and working in a family business for a large part of his life. The switch from manufacturing to writing came surprisingly easily for him. His passion for writing began at age 12, mostly writing poetry and short stories. In 1999, the chance came to write scripts. Zsolt took some time off from his family business to write in Jakarta Indonesia for MD Entertainment. Having written dozens of soap operas and made for TV movies, in 2003 Zsolt returned to the family business once more. In 2018, he had the chance to head back to Asia once again. He took on the challenge to be the COO for MD Pictures and get back into the entertainment business. The entertainment business opened up the desire to write once more and the words began to flow onto the pages again. He decided to rewrite a book he began years ago. Organ House was reborn and is a fiction suspense novel while Scars is a young adult drama focused on life’s challenges. After the first two books, his desire to write not only became more challenging but enjoyable as well. After having several books completed he was convinced to publish them for your enjoyment. Zsolt does not tend to stay in one specific genre but tends to lean towards strong female leads and horror. Though he also has a few human interest books, he tends to write about whatever brews in his brain for a while.