I admit it, I’m a notebook snob. It’s not that I have to have a high dollar notebook. None of these are terribly expensive, but they’re high quality. A regular ‘ol spiral notebook that kids use in school just won’t do for me. I need something better.
Successful Business Building Begins In Your Head.
Unfortunately, so does UNsuccessful business building.
Signal to noise ratio. I learned about how that applied to hi-fi gear before I learned to drive. Today, you likely have heard that phrase used to describe how much noise is in the world – and in our heads – compared to the signal, or good stuff. Simply put, it’s the difference between the sounds you want to hear compared to the sounds you don’t want to hear. It’s hard to hear the music when there’s too much static or noise.
Head trash. Noise. Distractions. Self-defeating thoughts. It’s all synonymous with some degree of discouragement. And we all have to fight against it.
I don’t think anybody ever completely conquers it. The most confident people have been humbled.
The most resilient have learned to get up and press on!
We’re all interested in seeing what other don’t see. Bands often sell VIP packages at premium rates to give well-healed fans an opportunity to go back stage. Authors will often invite rabid reading fans to a high priced luncheon where they can interact, ask questions, hear the author speak and get a signed copy of the latest book. We crave greater access.
Equally compelling are the stories people share of their struggle. We watch the Biography channel and see how our favorite stars rose from obscurity to fame. It’s all very intriguing.
In business – especially online business – we’re all drawn in by people willing to share how they went from an idea to launching a website that gained thousands of daily faithful readers. We hear people talk about starting with an email list of only family members, but growing it to hundreds of thousands. How did they do that? It’s the question we all ask. It’s the question we all want answered.
Our assumption is, if they did it, then maybe I can do it, too.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
Still, the lessons are worthwhile. Whether we can ever replicate their success or not, there’s surely something valuable in seeing how they did it. If nothing else, it’s fun to hear the stories and to learn a thing or two along the way.
No, I’m not indifferent about learning. Or teaching. I’m quite ready to get on with it. So brace yourself.
Today, I begin a project that you can be part of. Wait, wait, wait. Don’t get too excited because I don’t know enough about all this online stuff to teach you much of anything – other than what doesn’t work!
I’m going to invite you to join me on my journey as a student. I’ll be studying some things. Investing in some things. I’ll tell you what I’m doing and why. I won’t promise you that I’m going to get it right. Shoot, I don’t even know if I’ll be approaching it correctly, but I’ll share with you anyway.
The project is quite simple:
to launch a successful website in a targeted niche and have that site serve as a lead generator for a client
My overall plan is to launch a WordPress site consisting of a blog, podcast and videos.
The content will be aimed squarely at people and companies who need a particular problem solved. It’s a targeted niche.
Many niches have a decent retention rate. That is, people are interested in something and their interest remains or grows over time. Every niche has folks who fall away, but hopefully we pick niches that grow.
For instance, people who are interested in classic pickup trucks enter that niche and continue to remain interested in classic pickup trucks.
The niche I’m going to dive into isn’t like that.
One, it’s a business to business niche. Specifically, it’s a high-end software solution whose target market are companies with annual revenues of $3M and up.
Two, it’s a niche that addresses a specific problem.
Three, when the proper solution is found and the problem is solved, the prospect has no further need for information about this niche.
So I strongly suspect the people who visit the site or listen to the podcast will consume the content as they’re trying to figure out a solution to their problem…but they’ll leave once they find that solution. That’s fine. Expected.
I could be wrong about that, but given the nature of the niche it just seems logical. The plan is to create as much useful content as possible for FREE. Along the way I want to attract as much traffic as I can, but I need that traffic to have high interest in the niche. It will be especially useful if the traffic needs a solution. It will be even more helpful if my client’s solution fills that need. But no matter, greater exposure for my client will benefit their business.
In conjunction with this, I’m going to launch another website with another blog, podcast and videos talking all about this niche project (we’ll call it the Bula Network Niche Project for now). This will be my behind-the-scenes, VIP project where I share with you what I’m doing to make this niche project successful.
We appreciate all the kindness, the thoughts and prayers. Thank you!
Fear will help you prioritize on the fly faster than anything I know. Fear of loss. Fear of suffering. Fear of watching a person you love endure hardship.
Fear can create instant focus. If you’re like me, Fear has his hand on a switch not available to most emotions. The switch that controls distraction and obsession. BAM! In a flash, Fear flips that switch and my life has a clarity that no amount of money could have provided mere seconds earlier.
I’m going to try to learn more from this experience.
The challenges are simple to list, but figuring them out, well…that’s gonna take a lot of work.
1. How can I better manage my own ability to focus? Can I gain greater command of it?
2. How can I be more appreciative, thankful and compassionate?
3. How can I better serve others who are suffering? What actions can I take, what words can I say, what steps can I take to soothe the suffering of others?
4. How can I be more mindful, more aware, of what other people may need – in that moment? What cues should I look for?
As with most challenges and trials, I suspect this one has the capacity to make me better. It’s up to me to use it wisely.
No podcasts, no videos, no posts, no Twitter, no Facebook, no Skype.
I’m going to be quiet for awhile. This post and this video explain why.
Ry Cooder is among my all-time favorite musicians. On a record called Bop Til You Drop he recorded this song.
Trouble you can't fool me I see you behind that tree
Trouble you can't fool me trying to get the ups on me
Trouble you can't fool me I see you behind that tree
You want to jump on me
We can all sing that song.
Life knocks us down, drags us out into the back alley and kicks our butt. Regularly.
Joys are offset with sorrow and sadness. Thankfully, sadness is then overcome with joy, laughter and good times.
Life is not a tranquil lake…always. Sometimes waves beat on us and fear grips us.
Who can deny that troubles make us better? Watch the Biography channel sometime and you’ll see a story of tough times, challenges and adversity. And you’ll be reminded that you’re watching the story of a famous name! Fame, wealth and prosperity often emerge from tragedy.
Our own success – measured however you choose to measure it – is often the result of muscles we strengthened during tough times.
If you’re suffering right now, press on! If you’re not, press on, but be prepared. Trouble is right behind that tree waiting to jump on you.
As another favorite musician sings, “We’re all just one phone call from our knees.” *
For a little more than a week I’ve been (more frequently and fervently) on my knees praying for the health of my wife of 34-1/2 years, Rhonda. I recorded this on Thursday, June 7th. As this post publishes on Tuesday, June 12th, we’re in a hospital where she’s having surgery at the hands of a doctor she’s worked for – for 15 years. That’s a whole ‘nother story.
As always, I owe you a big THANK YOU for giving me your time and attention. I know how valuable they both are.
Hold a good thought for Rhonda this week — please.
* When trouble comes I think we belong on our knees. And yes, I do have a man-crush on Mat Kearney. And he knows it. Even if he doesn’t acknowledge me.
