Recession Proof Your Business: List 5 People To Be Grateful For

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Big changes for my business in 2009 already. What about you? Are you gearing down...or gearing up?

I know plenty of colleagues who are using their time well: revising infrastructure, ramping up their web presence, creating more content on the Web to get found by the people who need them.

You see, it's undeniable: People still have problems that need solving. Do you have solutions for them? Will they find you? Are you getting your message "out there:" on a business blog, on Twitter, on Facebook and wherever your people are?

Get back to basics. What's made you successful this far? I've been thinking a lot about that lately. After my move back to Mexico at the beginning of the year, I decided to focus more on my writing talents and services that earn me the most revenue. The goal is to work less while earning more.

I know many professionals who aren't using their time well. They're spending time and money learning about what to do but they're stuck. They think about starting a newsletter or a blog, and they do the research on the best ways to do this. They aren't jumping into action.

I know what this is like because I love learning too, and for a long time I spent way too much time and money learning without acting. I'm not an early adopter (except I was for business blogging because I'm not stupid and know a good thing when I try it!)

Just the other day I was tempted to spend a gazillion bucks to go to a copywriting workshop with a respected guru/expert. I have no doubt I would learn a ton and become a better copywriter...plus I'd bond with a few key people and come back with a ton of work...

Wait a minute! I already have a ton of work. And I already know what to do. Heck, I also just signed up for a fabulous program: Michael Katz' and Chad Board's E-Newsletter Success. It's a fantastic program, really informative and inspiring. But I haven't spent time to go through the learning modules...and it's online! I don't even have to take a plane or go anywhere.

As is always the case, I'll give you the same advice I give myself: do what works. Get back to basics. If you want to know how to go forward, you need to look backwards a little bit.

The other day on Twitter, I was feeling a little nostalgic and thought about a few things I learned over the years marketing online. I came up with a tweet about 5 people who influenced my marketing success. I'll repost the list here along with why I put them on my list of 5 influential people to whom I am grateful.

1. Adam Urbanski: In 1999 or 2000 I attended a session with Adam at a PCMA conference in Orange County. I was a coach with a newsletter service wanting to build a list and get known. He introduced me to the concept of a special report to give away on your website, something that would have a compelling title like "7 Secrets of..." Lights went off, and I began to change my writing from academic style to "what's in it for readers."
2. Tom Antion: in 2005 I saw Tom on the stage for the first time. Denise Wakeman and I knew he was really funny, really honest, and really knowledgeable about making money online. So much so that we signed up for his $50,000 mentor program! What he taught us was worth it since we made 4 times as much.
3. Lorrie Morgan Ferrero: I'd been reading her emails for years wondering why I was so fascinated. Quite subtly, Lorrie teaches how to be authentic, tell stories, and write good sales copy that doesn't seem "salesy." Her copywriting boot camp is a sure winner.
4. Jeff Herring: Jeff says, "If you can write a 7-item grocery list, you can write an article." He put speed and ease into my content writing, and once again, brought "what's in it for readers" back into the spotlight.
5. Denise Wakeman: Attention to details and implementation are Denise's strengths. It's not often the person you hire to coach you on marketing is so good that you end up inviting her to become 50-50 partners. That's what happened after I realized how smart and savvy Denise is. Denise is a pioneer who's not afraid to experiment with new Web tools and discover the latest trends in Internet marketing. She's also a genuine social networking expert. She now consults on her own, and I would highly recommend her services.

There are many more people who were greatly influential in my learning how to successfully market online. Mike Jay helped me set up my first ShoppingCart. And he was a huge influence for my professional and personal development.

Many of my clients have taught me a ton (Sandy McMullen is one example). My point is, you need to look backwards before you can look forward. Many of the important lessons you've learned over the last 5-7 years are still not completely learned, in fact, they are probably always going to be there for your continuous learning.

My challenge to you, dear readers, is to make a list of 5 people you're grateful to, 5 lessons they taught you that have contributed to your success. Hit the comment link below and start your list here. Thanks for reading.

Comments

[Los Angeles internet marketing]

I like your article so much. very insightful. this is one of the few articles that I've pay so much attention. It will help a lot readers. thank you for posting.

-faith-

[Joyce Dierschke]

This is just what I needed today - a BIG reminder about what to focus my energy on ... and what not to. Thanks so much.