Bare Naked Brain Fodder

If you’ve been in the internet marketing field for any length of time then you’ve inevitably had to deal with the problem of a family member or friend asking you… “What exactly is it that you do?”

The question always comes up, and no matter what answer we seem to give it never seems to satisfy the inquiry.

If you say you’re a Copywriter their mind thinks of that little circled c logo that stands for copyright on the bottom of the page. If you say Email Marketer they think you’re a Viagra or porn spammer and if you dare say you’re a Search Engine Optimist they’ll just stare at you and wonder what foreign language you just spoke.

In my experience it’s almost better to just say you’re a drug dealer or tell them you sell digital crack because at least they’ll have some understanding of that.

To be serious for a second, this issue is one that comes up all the time. Because the internet marketing industry is so new and because so many people can’t seem to grasp the idea of creating massive wealth so quickly on the internet it boggles their mind that these opportunities are even true or legit. The old saying “If it’s too good to be true…” really has crippled some people’s minds and has created some sad limitations on what is possible, especially on the internet.

Starting a online business can be rough on families and relationships because the fear of the unknown is quite a daunting feeling. So many spouses get upset at their significant other because of continual purchases of products and seminars promising that this will finally be the tool that will help elevate them to financial success. Of course it’s usually just an entry way to being sold more shit that will sit on the shelf and it further pisses off and worries the partner. And rightfully so in many cases.

I’ve found there is really only one way to alleviate these feelings of insecurity and worry and that is to…

SHOW THEM THE MONEY!

If you aren’t bringing in the money from your internet ventures, don’t expect others to keep encouraging you for long. It’s just not going to happen.

And here’s some really shitty news…

When you do start bringing in money don’t expect others to encourage you either. Here’s the sad, sad, sad reality about success…. It sometimes makes other people feel diminished about themselves and they often have a hard time truly being happy for you. Of course this isn’t a blanket statement that applies to everyone, but it’s way more prevalent then you’d ever imagine.

I have life long friends that no longer hang out because they feel I’m some type of elitist asshole who now runs with the Joneses, or that somehow I now think I’m better than them because I have a pocket full of cash. For some stupid reason my success triggers some emotional reaction about their lack of hustle and achievement in the world and makes them feel like shit about themselves.

I can’t imagine ever having anything but joy and encouragement for anyone that is doing good for themselves, but don’t expect that from everyone because it just isn’t going to happen.

And here’s something that utterly boggles my mind as well. Even if you do start showing your loved ones the money and are bringing in fat paychecks, don’t assume that is going to finally make them feel secure and safe about your internet business. Nope.

People are conditioned to work 9 to 5 jobs, punch into time clocks, follow bosses orders, commute to and from work, work all year for 2 weeks paid vacation, stare at the clock waiting for their break and hate their jobs. It’s doesn’t seem real to them that you can work 2 to 3 hours a day and make 5 times the income they make after spending 6 years going to college to prepare for their apparent dream job.

If you had a job as a Fireman, a Postal Worker, a Lawyer, Chiropractor etc, they’d feel safe. Internet Marketer? Not so safe. It doesn’t even matter if you make 5 times the income as the previous mentioned careers. It doesn’t matter that you now have more time to hang out and spend with the family. And it doesn’t matter that you have more opportunity and connections then you’ve ever had in your entire life. It’s all still too foreign for many people to grasp.

My point is, don’t expect others to understand your internet business, your success or your peer group. If you do set these expectations, you may find that you are setting yourself up for a big disappointment.

Best of luck everyone.

Jason

PS: I’m so thankful that I’ve never experienced any pessimism or doubts from my immediate family about my online adventures. My parents have always been very supportive of almost everything in my life and especially my internet business. However, I know this is a issue that almost all of us deal with in one way or another at some point, so I figured I’d touch on it.

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Do you have an abundant mind set? Seriously, do you?

Do you embrace opportunity around you, or do you bitch and moan about the lack of it every chance you get?

Many people could never admit that they operate from a scarcity mindset. Instead, they’d spend their time nit picking other people’s shortcomings to make up for their lack of fulfillment.

The internet can be a weird place that will mix up all kinds of emotions in a person. But what’s really revealing is that over time, you really get a good perspective into a persons true character. Someone may be able to dupe you in a few blog posts, or a sales letter, but over a long period of time, people’s true characters really do shine through on the internet.

The words you say and utter really do matter. Especially over time.

So say good shit! Or at least try as hard as you can.

And if you are the type of person who posts negative stuff, or rants and raves too much it can be very detrimental to your online persona and income. So be careful.

Now everyone likes to go off on tangents now and again. That’s fine, and normal. It’s entertaining to read as most of us do love to gaze at train wrecks.

However, it is vitally important to not get sucked into a trend of ranting. I’ve seen it happen way too often where someone gets a following because they like to take shots at other online personalities. In the gossip world this may be a huge hit. But in the marketing world, it can be a dagger that pummels your business.

A popular ranters success can be deceiving too. Here’s why…

While it may appear that someone has a big following, lot’s of blog comments, friends on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc, many times these groups are filled with nothing but dead weight.

What I mean is this…

When you become a Negative Nelly, a Debbie Downer, or a Pessimistic Pete, guess what you inevitably attract?

Shitheads!

Sure, you may attract a lot of them, and it may seem like you are gaining a large following, but be careful. Typically, if you build a community or following because of your negative rants, it’s bound to be a huge hassle. And I mean HUGE hassle.

First of all, these people will most likely be drawn to NEGATIVITY. You don’t want this. These are the refunders, the customer service nightmares, and the people who will potentially one day back stab you and write bullshit in the forums or discussion groups about you. These are the Monday Morning Quaterbacks. These are high maintenance prospects that you need to FIRE faster then Donald Trump sacking a Apprentice reject.

Seriously, fire negative prospects as soon as possible. Go ahead and fire your negative customers too. Just give them their money, unsubscribe them yourself, and say hasta la vista baby!

You don’t want them soiling your space, or your community.

Here’s a weird little bit about how I deal with insanely bad internet marketing that I’m subjected to…

When I see atrocious marketing, I mean absolutely horrible marketing work, guess what happens to me?

Do you think I cry, whine, bitch and moan about it? Hell no!

I get giddy and freaking happy like a kid opening his red bike for Christmas. I love it when I see people getting rich with piss poor marketing. I even love it when crappy musicians score the number one song on the billboard charts.

Because if they made it with those sub-par efforts, then it should be a cinch for me to topple that. I used to get my panties into a bunch all the time when I was in the music industry. I hated just about every pop band that got a new record deal.

It was definitely not a perspective of abundance. I was the epitome of a “Player Hater”. (I still get to hate on Chuggo, the worst white rapper though, cuz that was just funny).

However, marketing has totally changed that mind set for me. I’m pretty much supportive of anything that is honest, and has good intention.

I don’t care if your sales page sucks, or if your graphics are lame, or if your marketing process doesn’t match up to my expectations. It is as it is. Those 5 simple words are actually quite powerful.

Let’s read them again…

“It is as it is”.

My buddy Robert Somerville always says that, and it has lot’s of meaning.

Now there is always room from growth, abundance, and opportunity in every scenario. It just takes a keen eye to spot it, expect it, and embrace it. Just because one thing is a certain way doesn’t mean it has to remain like that. This world is ever changing, and those who embrace the abundant, the opportunities, and the good shit will forever be changing and molding the internet and their communities in a great way.

So, as the last month of summer comes upon us, I ask you to search for more opportunities and chances to praise the GOOD stuff. It’s all around us. EVERYWHERE! Just open your eyes.

There is also a equal amount of bullshit too!

It’s up to you which you’d rather focus on.

Me, I’ll be at the pool with a cold brewski and loved ones!

How about you?

What chu gonna focus on this summer?

J-Mo

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