The inspiration for the following thoughts came from a blog post by Chris Guillebeau: “Why People Hate Marketers”. Go ahead and read it. If you never come back here for the rest of my post – you’ll have nonetheless gotten more than your “money’s worth” from Chris…
In a nut shell, Chris describes his reaction to an email with well-meant marketing advice. “John” suggested that Chris shouldn’t allow people to download his free e-manifesto, “279 Days To Overnight Success”, without collecting their email address first. “You’d be building an email list of followers who’ll eventually turn into customers, clients, etc.”, said John. But Chris knew that, of course.
What fascinates me about Chris is his purity of mind and purpose as witnessed in his response to the writer. It’s not about creating the image of a generous blogger and social media hot-shot…it’s about “living the giving”.
If we all are marketers, so is Chris. But Chris Guillebeau is a “naked” marketer!
By that I mean: He’s not trying to make money online – no ‘tit for tat’ e-mail freebies, no sneaky manipulation to sign-up-for or buy anything, no hidden agenda…only pure sharing for the sake of generosity. Period. And he creates online income…
How Can I Make Money Online Without Trying?
I have to admit – I’m trying. Hard. But I also watch Chris, and I try to learn something I seem to know deep in my heart, already: Giving is a self-fulfilling energy which attracts receiving, no matter what. It is a full-time activity without any further requirements. It’s like working for work’s sake – not for the salary. It’s a bit mystical for most of us – but it’s real.
Chris demonstrates this – he’s interesting, authentic, authoritative in his niche, remarkable, unique…all the good qualities we’re told are essential for a successful online business. Yet, he’s not scheming conversions, manipulating prospects, exploiting scarcity…other important skills to make money online. (Or so they tell us.)
Down the road, I’d like to be able to say – I made good money, but I made it organically. It came to me because I helped a lot of people with good service, whatever kind it might have been. I did not force my financial wealth by manipulating others – that wouldn’t feel good at all.
So, I’ll be watching Chris for further instructions.
Oh, and…thanks, man!
Well Achim (aka Chef Keem) – I agree it’s a struggle. The gurus tell us how to “cream money” and many of them will stop at nothing to earn. i have dumped so many “gurus” from my list because of their misleading advertising, manipulative strategies, disdain for newbies, spamming of blog comments, outright lies and other unsavory strategies. No wonder “marketing” gets a bad name. It sounds like Chris’ philosophy lines up strongly with Seth Godin’s “permission marketing” and “relationship marketing”. I keep getting people telling me I should focus more on earning money and less on contributing through my lenses on charities, my community choir and local business support. But I agree with the “living the giving” philosophy – though, as you say, it’s a high ideal. I’m reminded that when I was an academic I was told to spend less time helping students and more time concentrating on advancing my own career through publications, etc.
Thanks for your comment, Ron. I find it difficult sometimes to accept my well-meaning friends when they try to push me into more commercialism. They do have a point, you know – it’s easy to forget my own goals when it feels so good to help out other people. There needs to be a good balance between following a sound business path and spending time on other people’s needs.
Chris post make me think about Googles policy; “don’t be evil”. Today it is more important than ever to be genuine and I think you can go a far way by being it. You don’t have to be the best or create the most, as long as you can stand for everything you do.
Hallo Achim,
I like your Lense. But what realy caught my eye is that you are part Bavarian. hahaha
Like I too, am Bavarian. Living in Arkansas, USA. I still cook my German dishes which is hard to do here in this small town. Because I have no access to any type of German foods, so I improvise the best I can. The only thing I can get here is the KNORR Boullion cubes. I can’t live with out them. I am learning about Internet Marketing, my lenses could be a lot better if I knew what the Heck I was doing. I know a little about the basics, but can’t seem to bring them together. I could use any and all the help I can. I’m just an Average German Lady that just want’s to work from the computer and make a few dollars to put in my Grand children’s saving account. Also Tschuss bis spater.
Ramona