A Word For the Wise

[Jeff Neil]

After Diane's awesome Q&A call this afternoon I got to thinking...

Uh Oh.

Here we are as a community. Growing fast. All coming with different marketing experience and technical levels.

Diane mentioned trying to keep discussions at the basic level and how that can be difficult. She mentioned that some of us could get together and have very technical discussions, but other members would be lost if that happened.

Then I got to thinking about some of my own calls. And I asked myself if I did my calls at the lowest possible level. My answer was no. I often make the mistake of assuming people have the same knowledge I do, to some extent, and know what the heck I am talking about.

When in reality some people probably do not. So if that is the case then I am not communicating very well. And that's a good thing to know, because it allows me to improve.

Another important thing Diane said was if you don't understand what is being talked about, ask. So if I am trying to explain something, and it makes no sense, please, by all means ask.

So far, this is one of the safest communities out there. And we intend to keep it that way.

But I went from thinking about how I made my training presentations to putting myself in a new person's shoes. Someone brand new to marketing online. As best I could.

And what I came up with is, this community could be quite confusing. Like a double edged sword. Both helpful, and hurtful, if one was to allow themself to become overwhelmed.

Because the majority of people marketing online have not been been doing so as long as I have. Many do it better. And I market better than many. How good at marketing one is, is no the issue.

But the point is, even with my years of experience, I still do not know all this stuff. I still do not understand all these different marketing methods. No one does, and no one ever will.

That's what makes us so powerful as a team. As a community. We can learn from each other, teach each other, and learn to teach.

But as you learn. And start gathering new skills, please do not think you need to learn every single method or website or service you see mentioned here. You'll go crazy trying to do so. And likely end up doing nothing.

Instead, if you want to take up blogging for example, start blogging. Or vidoes, or whatever. Because different mediums will change over time. But marketing fundementals, those reasons why it works, those don't change very much.

Jeff

[Joci James]

Wow! Do these words ever inspire this Octogenarian? Baby Boomers were mentioned as maybe having a challenge. Can you imagine how many generation gaps my techie resistant brain leaps through every day? This classroom is a Godsend for me. Some have expressed that I am an inspiration to them because I am tackling this stuff at my age. YOU.... are an inspiration to me. Heck, who knows, I just might have a class one day for Grand Boomers.
I appreciate all of you.

[Jeff Neil]

Thanks Frank,

You offer some great advice that everyone can apply to push themselves even further.

To quote you:

I'm trying to figure out Jing so I can show newbies what Rebecca taught me in searching on friendblaster for friends using the google tool.

I love that. For two reasons.

First, because of the growth it gives you by learning a new skill and turning right around and teaching it to others.

And second, becuase it made me chuckle. You called yourself a no techie, yet you are learning a skill that I do not know, so who is the no techie? You,... or me :)


As kind of a side note, your comment brings a story to mind.

A common "theme" for us here is that as you learn something, and then teach what you learn, you grow. Not only spiritually, but you actually get better at the skill you are teaching.

This is something that I have kind of known. But something I am now becoming much more aware of.

When I was in the Army as a military policeman I really wasn't that good at shooting my pistol. Then one day I was told I had to give a marksmanship (shooting) class, teaching the fundementals.

This was my first training class I ever did in my life and I was NERVOUS. But I made some charts and some cool pictures and came up with some hands on training.

After doing that training class I started qulifying as an expert. Not always 100% on every shot, but close. And before that I was just okay.

Today, I do not miss. It's exremely rare that I would.

And that's why I firmly believe that for anyone who will just stand up and shout I want to each SOMETHING, to SOMEONE...

This community is the best "Acceleration Camp" available.

[Frank Jacques]

Hi Jeff,
Great post... you are very good at verbal expression.

Coming from the No techie...

The best part about this community is that it lifts us up from the level we are currently on. No challenge-No Growth!

When it comes to technology, the basics are only going to come when we apply ourselves.

I believe most people have the ability to catch up if it is a heart's desire. We will each overcome any obstacle if it is a heart's desire.

If it is only in our mind and we have to convince ourselves to so something, the first major obstacle will end it.

To this end... each individual is responsible for their own growth. If I do not understand something, I will express it. The 3 most liberating words in the english language...

I don't know!

These words, many of us fear, but we will only get stronger when we stop pretending and add ...

But, I can learn.

It helps me to know the size of the gap that exists in my understanding so I can see where a I am going.

The greatest help is knowing how knowledgeable this community is... the greatest INSPIRATION is knowing how eager you all are to help.

So, should you change your communication level...

Let's start a section for the Lo Techies where you can practice the simplistic and a place where we can graduate from and at the same time allow you to continue your advanced training for others. I'm trying to figure out Jing so I can show newbies what Rebecca taught me in searching on friendblaster for friends using the google tool.

I do not want to keep others from their growth just because I am less knowledgeable.

You guys provide the KEYS... it is up to me to unlock the doors.

I have nothing but praise for each of you. Do not question yourself... let me question you for my needs.

So, thank you all for your kindness and knowledge. AS Jeff said... this is a unique community of WARRIORS!

I love you all.

Blessings and favor to you.
Frank

[Jeff Neil]

Hey JoAnn,

That is definately the beauthy of this place. It's great. Because a lot of the things people are doing here...

I "heard" of, but probably never would have actually gotten around to DO it. Heck, I wouldn't even be on MySpace yet.

Plus, with all that goes on here, it challenges me to do more.

A daily "method of operation" will be helpful for us all. The main point I wanted to get across was to make sure we are all at least doing something. And not "just" learning.

[JoAnn Donahue]

Hey Jeff, I myself get overwhelmed w/ all there is to do and what to do ect. However at the the end of day the main thing to focus on is what am I doing to "release my desire". I was taught this yesterday on a call with Joe Schroder. Wow... !!!!
My desire is to be making money, I am not on here for fun as non of us are. (well for the most part, this is fun actually) However back to what we do each day, We must remind ourselves why we are here and what can we do to get ourselves out there because that's the only way we will make the money we desire. This is our main objective. So if you know videos' do video's but learn the other avenues.
For the new person such as my self a daily operating procedure would be helpful it will direct my path for the clarity I want. I will see with my eyes what should and could be done and from that I will recognize what I don't know and then set out to learn it!
So this community offers all of us the opportunity to learn what we don't know. That's the beauty of this place. Like we say... Real Training for Real People!
Know one knows it all but together we all learn more!

[Jeff Neil]

Hey Debra,

Yes, the mindset has to come first. Or work on that at the same time at least. It's all an on going learning process that should never end.

As far as a step by step 1,2, 3 order...

I think Diane is going to help a lot with that with what she has planned.

But what is the most important first? That's hard, because the first and most important should be what each individual is most comfortable with to start.

For example.

I can write. Not the best, but it is very comfortable for me. But when I speak, I feel like I have rocks in my mouth.

Now, I am personally pushing myself to do more videos. I just bought a new digital camera last night and joined Traffic Geyser today.

That's because I need to push myself to that next level, and I am ready to do so.

But I am an able blogger. What others can rank for with video, I can be there with my blog usually.

I am not making a case for video vs. blogging. Just that if I was just starting out, and someone said I had to do video marketing I would still be trying to get the courage.

Others do great just networking on social sites. Even the old style forums.

And that how to, what to list goes on and on.

I wish I had the absolute correct answer for this. I don't. But what we want at the end of the day is to become attractive to other people.

Right now I a more apt to attract people interested in blogging or article marketing. Something that involves writing. And I can only speak for myself.

But for the new person, probably the best thing to start doing is what attracted them to the person that brought them here in the first place.

[Debra Morrison]

Thanks Jeff for those words. I can see how overwhelmed one could become thinking that they had to learn, understand and utilize every widget, gadget.

Especially when you are introducing baby boomers and they have to sometimes rely on the boom boom effect.

Maybe those that have been around longer could come up with a simple game plan, a 1-2-3-4-5 order that the new guy could follow. Utilizing the tools that are the most important first and so on.

Yet first of all should be the mindset! Correct?

Debra