Online marketing is an exciting world.
There’s a lot of opportunity to make enormous amounts of money. You can find business partners, MLM downlines and retail customers in larger numbers than you ever dreamed imaginable in the 3-dimensional world. You make new friends so quickly… by the hundreds on Facebook, by the thousands on Twitter. You get to sell your products, promote your business and blast your message and ideas into the ether!
But for many entrepreneurs, the allure of online marketing is most pronounced in the glitzy realm of Stardom. We have all learned by now that personal branding is the essence of attraction marketing. We can best attract people to our products, ideas and messages by positioning ourselves as repositories of value and conduits of success. This becomes our “brand”.
We can develop large followings to our brand, even virtual fan clubs. Some of the most magnetic leaders in the electronic universe command almost cult-like followings. Perry Marshall, Mike Dillard, Jonathan Budd and Katie Freiling come to mind for me. You will probably conjure up images of many others of this ilk. Then there are the rising stars,… too many to recount. Those that are walking the path of their mentors such as those mentioned, aspiring to be their understudies and dreaming of one day being their peers.
I must admit, the leaders I have mentioned have all been a great inspiration to me. Their value as internet marketers is limitless and their foray into the regions of personal development is both inspiring and challenging. Each of them is a great mentor and true leader in this society of aspiring internet marketing stars. And I certainly count myself among that throng.
Yet, in the midst of my entranced immersion into the cult of the star–not least of which is embedded my own personal quest for stardom and leadership–there emerges a twinge of discomfort. This need not concern my reader, insofar as my reader feels unity and cohesion with this road well-traveled. But my own personal quest is apt to be shred to pieces, drowned in irrelevance or hurled upon rocky shores should I surrender my personal bearings upon this journey.
The simple truth is, I did not wander into the regions of online marketing in search of fame and stardom, but to quietly cultivate an independent and sustainable lifestyle. My success, therefore, became defined in terms of my ability to attain these basic achievements. It was elevated by my sense of responsibility to family and community.
Goals of unlimited fortune and unparalleled fame seem to be the norm in the online world, and I think that is fine and well as long as they do not become absolute ends in and of themselves. Personally, I find it imperative to revisit my reasons for creating a personal brand. For me, it is to gain great success, not solely for my own gain, but most especially for the glorification of my Creator and Redeemer. I struggle to create fame and fortune today, but regardless of how great or minute, both will most certainly be gone tomorrow. I may one day be a Superstar… or not…
Either way, the greatness of my success will lie solely in my willing endeavor to apply every ounce of all my abilities to gain success for myself, my family and my community. “I”, in fact, am powerless to succeed on any level, or in any aspect of my life. Only through the grace of God have I been given my own distinct gifts, my own distinct “brand” and even my own ability to take best advantage of them. And only through the grace of God will I ever succeed to whatever degree I do.
But when all is said and done, my ultimate success… my shining “stardom”… will not be measured by the results or extent of my endeavors, but by the humility and persistence with which I undertake them.
To know your priorities and your values and stick with them is so important. As you said, you may or may not “make it” as far as others may judge, but if you work toward and accomplish your own aims while staying true to yourself, you are truly successful and can sleep well at night.
Thanks so much for this, David.
Sandy (& Al) Abrams
.-= Sandy Abrams´s last blog ..Soy Safety and Quality Control Checklist =-.
David,
I love how open and honest you are in this post. You negate the bad rep online marketing has been given. Good for you!
Thanks for sharing,
Val
.-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Meet Malin Berdette, World Traveler Extraordinaire =-.
David,
This is the line that summed it all up for me: “The simple truth is, I did not wander into the regions of online marketing in search of fame and stardom, but to quietly cultivate an independent and sustainable lifestyle.”
Indeed, in today’s “starstruck” world, Stardom for some is the goal. Standing in the spotlight day after day, being followed by throngs of adoring fans… The irony of this is, however, that many people who become stars did not necessarily seek stardom…I was just watching one of Jonathan’s videos and he was speaking about this very thing.
I think stardom catches people off-guard once they recognize they have passed over the threshold from “mere mortal” to “star” (for lack of better terms). The responsibility at this level is enormous and has been the demise of too many over the years. Thankfully, with the help from our fellow Tribers and the wisdom of the sages, those of us who wish to walk a quiet path toward a sustainable lifestyle can do so.
~Mary Lou
.-= Mary Lou´s last blog ..5 Rules for Succeeding in the New Economy =-.
David, my friend, I really like you. You have a sense of ownership in knowing yourself that most people do not find. You also have style. I am not meaning to flatter you in saying these things. You know my take on the Creator as well and I know truth is always much appreciated in that area. That’s what you bring. Truth to who you are and how life really is. In some sense of the word, and to me, you are already a star.
.-= Kellie Frazier´s last blog ..The 4:8 Principle – Connect to Your Focus? =-.
Thanks for all the appreciative comments out here! I can see I’ve made some real friends. Nothing can replace that.
David,
It says something about yourself when you declare to the world that it’s OK if I don’t become a superstar. Stardom is not cut out for everybody. I’d much rather walk along peacefully and quietly, unrecognized by the masses and celebrate the life I’ve made and the accomplishments I’ve achieved simply by using the tools I have been given to the best of my God given ability. The scenic byway is always much nicer that the supersonic highway.
.-= Don Enck´s last blog ..Celebrate Your Victories…Even If They’re Silver =-.
Hey David,
Success is measured in so many different ways, and levels, by different people.
As long as we stay true to who we really are, we will continue down the path to our own greatness!
Keep sharing
Sharon
.-= Sharon Hartman ´s last blog ..The Vicious Cycle of Fear and Procrastination =-.
Hey David,
thanks for your post, you are a leader and are offering very good information to us all, and I see you as a Online Marketing Superstar!
thanks for being you
Blessings
Jeremy
.-= Jeremy Creager´s last blog ..Women Longing For Their Men To Step It Up ~ Self-Love-Reflections =-.
Hi David…as a first time visitor to your blog, it has been ‘refreshing’ to read this post.
Simply said, I appreciate, and share your views on the industry in general, and the way it draws so many who want to be rich…and famous…rockstars of sorts.
I am grateful to be on a ‘track’ that I sense is running parallel to yours. Our tribe community, for sure, has many members that are doing what we do, for reasons that rise above the lure of fame and fortune.
I respect the fact that others may have a different ‘why’ that drives them to action.
Personally…I am a follower of Jesus Christ…and grateful to be ‘led’ by Him. My goal is to be free financially…to better be able to serve my God. And if it is His will for me to prosper, so I may share that, and help others…I will undoubtedly give Him the glory.
Whatever lies ahead…I know there will always be reason to give Him the glory.
So press on my friend, and continue to ‘stand up’ for what you believe in!…or you’ll ‘fall for anything’…right?
Thanks for sharing…God bless…
evan gould
Hey my brother, Evan… we are on the same track. Meet you at the Station! Don’t be a stranger out here.