I’ve got a confession to make……

Maintaining this " blog " is hard work. 

And not because of the technical issues, or topics to cover, or even the writing itself.  I love to write and do it all day anyway on many other topics and a multitiude of other sites.

It’s the conversation with self that gets monotonous.  The murmerings and mumblings of my monkey mind.  The internal dialogue that has to be captured, transcribed and transmitted in such a way as to make this site useful and purposeful and helpful to those of you who stop by to read it.

This is what is difficult for me.  Because – there isnt’ a lot of you here yet.  It is mostly just me.  And frankly, I bore the hell out of myself.

You see, what I love to do – and do best – is help other people.  Answer questions, brainstorm ideas, create, generate and motivate.  Left to my own devices – to sit here and just pontificate about internet marketing, or copywriting, or whatever the topic du jour may be – honestly – I‘d rather be reading a book.  Or watching a baseball game.  Or doing shots of tequila.  Because it’s not interesting to me unless you are with me.  I need involvement and feedback to feel whole.

And truly – for me – this has been the hardest part of this so far.  To get people involved. To get more questions. More participation.  More people to say – hey – here is where I am – here is where I want to be.  Can you help me? 

In business, in sports, in life – involvement is often times the hardest thing to sell.  Participation.  A vested interest in the community, the party, the process. 

It’s interesting – because as I write this, the Philadelphia Phillies ( I live just outside of Philadelphia and have grown up here as a huge and passionate sports fan ) are in the playoffs for the first time since 1993.  And here, where we live – the sense of involvement – of community - of a shared common interest in the outcome is palpable.  It is a real, living and breathing thing – the talk shows, the supermarkets, the streets are alive and pulsing with the frenzy  of fandom.   And it is truly a beautiful and bonding & really a special thing to feel like you are a part of – even if it’s just a wee bit armchair quarterback position ( or shortstop in this case..:-).

The team – the town feels this – and business as they say, is very good.

I recently watched a marketing seminar given by a semi-famous old school direct marketing master.   And he spoke of  a client of his – a doctor – who employed a whole series of  " involvement" incentives for his patients – patient of the month for most amount of new referrals, special dinners, lunches, prizes, etc – all well designed to get people to feel vested in the the process of building his practice.  And not only did this help him to build one of the biggest and most exclusive practices in his area – he was actually able to stop all other forms of advertising and promotion purely based on the quantity of referrals and new patients being brought in through these little contests and incentives.  ( which extended into sporting event tickets, opera, dinner for two with limo, etc ).  He did it up right.  And who could blame him?  He had an army of customers bringing him in a reserve unit of new recruits like there was no tommorow.  And it was a purely volunteer army.  Which George Bush will tell you – is the very best kind.

To me – what is most important, and rewarding is to feel like I am truly interacting with you and bettering your life in some way through the thoughts and idea shared here – and in private emails or client consulting that emanates from this.  Yes – I do get a couple emails and questions every day or two – but – I’d like it to be more.  Because I can help you.  But only if you ask.  And get involved.  Ask me a question – advice, direction, support.  I’ll do the best I can to point you in the right direction.  And if I can’t do it – I’ll tell you – and even try to find a better place for you to look if I see one.

It’s funny – an old client of mine ( and now a good friend ) was telling me what works best for his company – in terms of getting people involved – is putting up all kinds of polls, contests and interactive sorts of elements on their pages – as that seems to get people to come back and check in on what is happening in their little universe.

You know what?  That isn’t my style.  Call me old fashioned – but I’d rather just have someone email me directly and ask a question. And then post it here for everyone to read and hopefully benefit from.  Because even if you think my advice sucks – guess what – that helps you clarify your own positon or alternative strategy.  I do that everyday – I read things that only serve to reinforce the reasons why I choose to pursue a different path.  

And, believe it or not – it really is the " You " that keeps me plugging away here.

Trust me – if it is going to be all about " I" – * I’d * rather be doing something else..:-)

What do you want to see more of?  Less?  How can I humbly help you and your business?  

Drop me a note or leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to serve your needs.