Time Out

It's been three months with no updates to this blog. In some ways, nothing note-worthy has been happening.

Yet really, LOTS has been happening... especially in me. I've made lots of realizations. And I've taken on several new personal challenges, however big or small.

Tom and I have also stepped back a bit during this time, and have taken an honest look at where we are (or aren't), and why we're doing what we're doing. More on that in another post.

Here's an overview of events that have "interrupted" the flow of our "business" activites:

• Planning a baby shower
• Visits from out-of-state friends and relatives
• Phone calls and emails to and from relatives and friends I've
  been neglecting....

But especially the baby shower. It took most of my spare time and energy because I went all-out, and was in uncharted territory. It was totally worth it, however, and I had a lot of fun... and learned a lot... and grew as a person.

The baby shower project caused me to step out of my comfort zone, stretch myself, and grow. It also helped me realize how little spare time I really have available, and why it's so hard to get any really meaningful business activities into motion. So it's been a great learning experience all around.

It also gave me an excuse to do some creative, crafty things that I love to do, but never take time to do because I'm usually devoting so much time to Internet activities.

There are two other things that take my available time, and are totally worth it:

1. Our interest in reading alternative news sources to know what is really going on in our world, and

2. Keeping tabs on some personal financial ventures. (So we really do have a life outside of Internet Marketing, in case you were wondering.)

Realizations:

• how little spare time I really have
• of that spare time, how much time Tom and I spend reading alternative news
• how important it is to spend time interacting with people
• how I need to step out and do things, not always wait for others to take the lead
• how wonderful it is to learn and grow by doing
• how important it is to do some creative things with my hands (because I love to do it)

Personal growth (because I've always been more of a follower and participator, not a leader):

• co-planned and presented a baby shower
• dealt with challenging people and their misunderstandings
• helped coordinate transportation for nine co-workers attending a motivational seminar
• volunteered to be an area warden in my building (oversee evacuation of our area during a fire drill)
  

So, there's been lots of growing going on. And now, it's good to be back!

A Little Marketing Humor...

I ran across a joke today. It's funny because it's a pretty good illustration of marketing methods.... but put into a different setting.

It goes like this:

You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say, "I am very rich. Marry me!" That's Direct Marketing.

You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a gorgeous girl. One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you says, "He's very rich. Marry him." That's Advertising.

You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and get her telephone number. The next day you call and say, "Hi, I'm very rich. Marry me." That's Telemarketing.

You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl. You get up and straighten your tie, you walk up to her and pour her a drink. You open the door for her, pick up her bag after she drops it, offer her a ride, and then say, "By the way, I'm very rich. Will you marry me?" That's Public Relations.

You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl. She walks up to you and says, "You are very rich." That's Brand Recognition.

You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say, "I'm rich. Marry me." She gives you a nice hard slap on your face. That's Customer Feedback !!!!!

Are you chuckling yet?

Actually, in real life, none of these methods are very effective. Great marketing is more like this: You meet the girl and she enjoys talking with you. You get her phone number and ask to see her again. You wine her and dine her, over and over.

You get to know her. You find out what she wants and needs in life. In short, you develop a relationship before you ask her to marry you! And maybe she'll actually say "Yes!" That's Relationship Marketing!

That's the only type of marketing that appeals to Tom and me..... and it is the only type that really works. Too many "marketers" are looking for quick results, but don't take the time to develop a relationship with their prospects. You have to care about filling people's needs. When you do that, the success will follow.

Have a great day!