My first jewelry ecommerce website went live in 1996
and as soon as I could I started selling merchandise on Ebay. Fast forward to 2008 when I originally
started blogging for search engine optimization purposes for my jewelry company
in February of 2008. I had “invested” in an SEO guaranteed top ten placement
package from a a very well known company right before I started my first blog.
I received more hits to my website from traffic that came from my blog compared to the top ten obscure search engines they ranked. And the point is: I’ve been into social media for quite a while, really soaking up every webinar and seminar I could attend, participating in social networks, reading, etc. I’ve helped quite a few customers and individuals ramp up their social media efforts and have held quite a few social media training sessions.
It’s been
fun. But I’ve been the cobbler’s kids without the shoes knowing that the
branding of my new company, Your Marketing Gal, would catch up when the time was
right. If I could actually be in the field doing things and using my expertise
to help businesses and individuals with their marketing efforts, that’s fine
with me.
I know, I know branding is very important – especially for a company
that helps others brand and market themselves. And I was reminded of this by my
marketing and business development friends that worked for media companies. If I
am wanting to sell this type of service, I really needed to show others how I
did it.
I know - they are right but I figured if I had the opportunity to work with customers and train others, guess which one I was taking? Same thing with my wholesale/retail jewelry importing company. I remember a few people starting their business about the same time as I had in the the early 90’s. They were concerned about creating the perfect logo that matched their cards that matched their stationary and envelopes, etc. They seemed to worry more about the small details and it stopped them from marketing themselves. I didn’t worry or let it stop me from marketing my business. Eventually I caught up with the “branding” – although I always boot strapped my company.
In reading Chris Brogan’s recent blog entry entitled Community Can Be SO Powerful, I realize that we all have to start somewhere and it’s okay if we do. In 2005, Chris approached the CEO of a “very up-and-coming-company” at a conference. The CEO was not very interested in him even though Chris told him how much he loved his company. Chris said that since it was face to face, he felt the CEO could have been more polite.
According to Chris Brogan’s blog entry, the company was sold for pennies on the dollar just two years later and the former CEO found himself needing Chris' help. Chris did help him instead of refusing and reminding him or shaming him of what had happened earlier.
From what I’ve read about Chris Brogan and through a webinar I recently listened to in my Inbound Marketing University, he really believes in “community” and being nice. It reminds me of the philosophy I believe in - paying it forward – yes perhaps a cliché, but I know it feels great to see how I can help others. It always comes back to me amazingly so.
And for that I am truly helpful to my
network of "friends” – both online and personally. It’s amazing how I’ve seen
such a shift in how people approach each other and how willing they are to help
others. I believe it really is about how we can help others. It’s so great to
see a quiet, steady process where the new business of social media seems to
vw changing business philosophy. And Chris, it’s
great to see nice people out in the business world impacting others,
evangelizing to others to be nice as well. Thank you.
Social Media and Traditional Marketing Consultant 