A few months ago, Chris Brogan wrote Stop humping my leg, a post about a salesperson at a conference who persisted in trying to get Chris to sit through a demo.

Funny enough, last week, I got a call on my cell phone from the 781 area code (Boston area). I didn’t recognize the number so I let it go to voice mail. Turns out it was “Bobby” calling on behalf of Chris Brogan, offering 50% off the registration fee for New Marketing Experience in San Francisco.

It was April 1, so I was expecting a punch line. There was none.

I tweeted about it, but who would believe it? Seems like a lame April Fools attempt. Really lame, actually.

Yesterday, however — just 5 days after the first call — I got a second call from Bobby. This time he upped the ante by offering FREE registration to the event. I tweeted again. One person DMd me: “You’re kidding about telemarketing calls from Chris Brogan, right?”

So what’s the difference between a Chris Brogan’s “Bobby” and the conference leg-humper?

Chris was at a conference. I was in sitting in my living room.

If I’m attending a conference, I expect to be sold; but when I’m sitting in my living room, I expect to be left alone. Doesn’t matter what time it is, or that I actually gave you my number as part of the registration process at a previous event (seriously, Chris was the last person I thought I’d have to worry about phoning me). Additionally:

• The phone calls were totally unnecessary. Chris is ubiquitous. I know this event is happening. I get Chris’ emails. I read his blog. I follow him on twitter. Why not just send me an email offer or a tweet? That’s where our relationship was. If anyone from Chris Brogan is calling on my cell phone, I expect it to be Chris.
• Bobby, the telemarketer, quite literally blew through the script. Impersonal to say the least, and far off the warm, approachable Brogan brand people have come to know, love, and respect.
• The follow-up email read, “I appreciate you taking my call.” I didn’t.
• It also read, “I’m glad that you are interested….” We didn’t talk, and therefore, I didn’t express any interest.

Quite honestly, I’m disillusioned by the whole thing. I hope Chris hasn’t joined the ranks of mortgage companies and financial portfolio review companies and survey companies who intrude on your life, wherever you are. Who knows? Perhaps we’ll see ads in the yellow pages, an infomercial, New Marketing Labs Snuggies.

I hope not, or I think — as he suggested regarding the salesperson at the conference — he’ll risk screwing himself.

Thoughts? Musings? Leave ‘em here. (No calls , please.)

Here are the voice messages Bobby left:
Chris Brogan Goes Telemarketing via Bobby by MichaelCalienes

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FOLLOW-UP EMAIL #1

100 participants, 100 ideas, one big brain storm

SAN FRANCISCO | TUESDAY, APRIL 13

Hi Michael,

Thank you for your time today, I appreciate you taking my call.

I’m glad that you are interested in attending the New Marketing Experience program on April 13th.  The ground rules are simple: we are gathering our industry friends and experts, you bring your One Big Idea,™ and we’ll work together, all in one room and one day, to turn it into a plan.

As I mentioned on the phone we’d really like to have you there, so we are offing you 50% off with Source Code: TMBOB.  For only $99 you’ll have a full day with the experts and your peers and an ebook of everyone’s One Big Idea. Simply click the registration link below and your registration information from last years program and your discount will be automatically generated.

http://register.exgenex.com/gcmregister/gcmregister.asp?C=70000087&M=50001572&h=50228453&SC=TMBOB

Hope you can join us and add your ideas to the mix, and feel free to pass the code TMBOB on to a friend or two.

Thanks again,

Bobby

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FOLLOW-UP EMAIL #2

100 participants, 100 ideas, one big brain storm

SAN FRANCISCO | TUESDAY, APRIL 13

Hi Michael,

I just wanted to let you know that as a past attendee we are now offering you a complimentary registration for the New Marketing Experience in San Francisco on April 13th courtesy of New Marketing Labs.

We’d really like to have you there, so we are offing you a FREE registration with Source Code: TMF45.  For FREE you’ll have a full day with the experts and your peers and an ebook of everyone’s One Big Idea. Simply click the registration link below to take advantage of this special offer.

http://event.nmlevents.com/sf/register.html

Hope you can join us and add your ideas to the mix.

Thanks again,

Bobby