The results of my gamble....

Hi Everybody.

A few weeks ago, I released my new website and asked for feedback on the content from the members here at TheChocolateLife.  I had taken a chance and "put myself out there"  and to put things quite bluntly, I got roasted by the members on here. 

Thank you by the way, for your candid opinions.  I will definitely be making some technical changes to the layout to make it more device friendly.

The philosophy behind my approach to the content was that I felt people are tired of being lied to and manipulated by clever marketing. I know I am.

I have had some time to weigh the results of my brazen honesty and they are staggering. 

• Sales have DOUBLED.
• Website traffic has DOUBLED.
• People are continually approaching my staff and raving about the refreshing honesty of the content.
• People are making a point of visiting my stores BECAUSE of my brazen honesty.
• People are sharing links to my site around their office and reading ALL of the content, laughing with their colleagues at some of the things I write, THEN in groups, coming to visit one of my stores.

One person who provided feedback called my journey in the chocolate industry "Petulant".  For greater clarity, petulance is defined as being overly annoyed or angered at seemingly minor and insignificant things.

I guess given the resounding positive feedback I've had from both new and existing customers, honesty in a business's advertising isn't considered insignificant or minor.  It's actually applauded.

Again, I thank you all for your feedback.  It has again confirmed to me that doing the opposite of what everybody else in the industry finds acceptable, works and works very well, provided of course one produces the quality to stand behind it - and that's something I know I do.

For those of you thinking of getting into the business.  Don't be afraid to take risks.  While they don't all pay off as this recent one has for me, just because everybody else does things a certain way, doesn't mean it's the right way, or the only way.

By the way, here's a teaser to my next journey.  I was approached by a director and producer back in November.  Whether or not it pans out, I'm not sure, but it's kind of funny nonetheless: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXMqNQJ-5mw&feature=youtu.be

Cheers

Brad.