The Internet has been good to me. No, I'll say that differently. The Internet has been fantastic to me. It's changed my life, brought me some incredible deals and continues to deliver a reliable and generous revenue stream.
It's allowed me to build a successful business and lead the kind of life I've always dreamed of.
I don't know where I'd be without the Web. Still selling encyclopedias probably. Or disc jockeying at weddings. We really are fortunate the Internet came along.
But not everything I've achieved has happened on the Web, and while I'm on the Internet just about every day, I'm not online all day.
Sometimes I'm on the phone.
At other times, I'm at conferences, running workshops or giving talks and book readings.
Or I could just be sitting in a meeting room or a café, having a chat with a staff member, a partner, a colleague or a friend. All of those things are vital to the growth of my Internet business.
The Internet is so flexible and delivers so much that it can be tempting to believe that it can provide everything you need. Facebook will let you stay in touch with friends without having to meet them. Twitter will let you network and build relationships with customers, clients and partners. Email will allow you to send information and requests without you even having to say a word.
Instead of using those old fashioned business development techniques like shaking hands, looking someone in the eye and swapping news face to face, you could well find yourself staying in front of your computer and imagining that you're doing everything you can to build a successful business.
It's possible to do that. You can create a successful and profitable website without leaving your bedroom or picking up the phone.
But you can do so much more when you're willing to attend conferences and meet people. When instead of writing an email to explain what you're offering, you pick up the phone and listen to what the other person needs. And when you meet local entrepreneurs in your local cafes to find ways to work together.
The Internet can be the foundation of a successful business. But you should be looking to develop it in the real world too.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
September 16, 2009 09:32 AM
Great Post! This is also true when you are looking to get media coverage. Nothing replaces picking up the phone and pitching the media.
Drew Gerber
www.PitchRate.com
September 16, 2009 12:39 PM
Hi Joel,
Great reminder for all of us!
Every job prospect I have secured in my career has been done offline.
Now as a business owner, every client and partner relationship has been built outside the internet.
The web can initiate a business relationship, but it ultimately cannot replace one.
My most productive days by far are spent meeting with customers, employees, and partners in person.
All the best,
Brent
www.interviewangel.com
September 16, 2009 05:21 PM
Great post Joel...
It the last couple of months this has become an overwhelming part of how I do business...getting OFF the net, that is...after being online for years, its easy to get lazy...
After attending Jeff Walker's Product Launch Manager's Training, I've noticed a total change in approach.
Getting out there works...not that I wasn't working it before, but the quality of client has changed and the value of the business being done has changed...
So, yes, great post and very valid!!!
James
September 16, 2009 11:17 PM
Hi Joel,
It is so easy to get mesmerized by the computer screen and be on the internet for too long.
Your post is a good thing to read and get off the internet and go for a walk.
I just started with the online adventure and need to remind myself that people still need to see real people and hear the real voice.
It is clear to me whenever I get a voice mail and play telephone tag.
Human interaction the old fashioned way still works and is necessary.
Vance.
September 17, 2009 08:03 AM
Great point! I've made some of my strongest business relationships with people I've met at events and conferences. There's just no replacing that real world connection. Planning on attending NAMS3 in January and I'm really looking forward to connecting with a lot of people I've gotten to know online in person.
September 21, 2009 03:22 PM
Hi Joel
Thanx for your reflection. I maintain two separate computers. My online PC is a plain ADSL broadband, not a wireless, and not that fast. My offline PC contains my personal documents. I keep these two computers very separate.
I maintain two bank accounts, one online, the other offline. I do not leave money in my online trading account and it has no overdraft. Hence my online account is low risk. The account number has gone out so many times that I now regard it as my "leaky portal" account. I put money in. I spend it. I get paid. I take the money out and transfer it to my personal account.
I like to keep everything separate. I enjoy what computing has done for my personal writing, and journal-writing in particular. But these are two very different spaces, and I do not put my personal like within range of the Internet.
Cheers
Ronald Evans
Canberra Australia
September 23, 2009 12:22 AM
I agree with you. Inspite of the fact that internet forms the basis of our earnings, personalized touch influences people better than anything we can imagine to create or write online. Since we are human beings,
1. Appeal to all of our senses works better than an audio/visual as well.
2. Its highest personalization that would have better influence
3. Its a great change & definitely an experience to learn from.
Its wonderful post noticing nuances of life: online & offline.
October 3, 2009 09:07 AM
Internet also changed my life. In the beginning it was a hobby, gradually it became the part time job, my business is keeping growing and in the near future I see myself working in the internet only.
October 7, 2009 10:53 PM
Yes i agree with you that"The Internet can be the foundation of a successful business".Internet has been good to me.It also helped me to build a successful business.Anyway this is a great post.