Ute Goldkuhle
10-21-2011, 10:16 PM
NAMS had a profound impact on my first venture of building an internet marketing system. I had this long-time dream: to take advantage of the internet opportunities to connect with virtual communities, create and add a targeted sub-community, and find a way to systematize and monetize. The remarkable instructors and students that gathered at NAMS6 and are drawn and committed to collaboration, quality and ethical practice are contributing to realizing that dream. It all came together then when formulating my first Authority or Hub site.
Coming from an era of pre-PC, my fascination with the limitless opportunities never ceased; rather, it has fiercely kindled my learning drive to the point of forcing me to act on my dream. What an opportunity for us “early- or pre-boomers” who have many post-retirement years ahead! Since NAMS5 I have been seriously committed to daily learning tasks, experimenting, writing, … finding my way and my voice. I was so sure I could “brag” at NAMS6 with my first site!! Wrong… all I could do was share my URL with my Tagline: coming very soon. … Now, two months later since NAMS6, my Tagline now reads: very close to launching….
What is taking so long? It is not a lack of great support, assistance, learning tools, etc. And yes, we need to start, ‘just do it,” “take action, revise later…” And all the tech/financial constraints, excuses, hesitations, … every Newbie experiences in one aspect or another, regardless of age. However, the hardest and most difficult stumbling block to overcome, I believe, is a MINDSET shift from what we think, what we know, and our perception as to how things ought to be done, based on our knowledge, experience, and our point of references. To understand the internet marketing mentality, population interests and characteristics, and their voices requires an open mind, a willingness to listen and learn, regardless of how much we think we know. The Mindset shift is more dramatic than we may realize, especially for us older folks, but also a quite enriching process of discovery. Why? That could be another post of interesting discussions.
So, I thought I had done the research, established my target population, a business plan, goals, objectives, and marketing approaches. I felt ready to roll putting the Authority or Hub Site together. But as I began to write the ‘About’ page, it really hit me. When I had to explain myself, my purpose, who do I want to attract, what and how much do I give of myself, my background, my expertise, I realized that I had by far not thoroughly thought through the whole plan. I also was unclear about the characteristics of my target audience, what unique experience I can share, what benefit can I offer, and what would excite my audience. I had to go back to the drawing board, not as the happiest camper though. It was then when I realized that I was stuck in my MINDSET as a former teacher who thought to know more.
NAMS6 brought clarity. Specifically, counsel from Mark Hendricks, David Perdew’s workshop about the power of story telling, Dr. Pauline Wallen’s session finding credible information, and discussions with Bob Jenkins (The Teacher) and Chris Cobb, only to mention a few. I now feel competent enough to state that once any Newbie has mastered the key elements of an Authority Website: the About page and a feature article (well researched with rich content) on the demographics, characteristics and key needs/wants of the target population, the most difficult hurdle and MINDSET shift has been overcome. I could not have done it without NAMS or any other comparable supportive network.
Richard Goutal recently wrote a FB post on 9/17/11 that should encourage anyone starting the journey of building an internet business: "I don't know why but this thought struck me: To shift gears in life and decide to start a business takes no more than turning a canoe- a few deft strokes of a paddle. But to develop a business! That process is more like turning around the Queen Elizabeth II. After all, in a business, you aim to bring a lot of people with you. Of course it takes longer."
Yes, my Authority Website will be on the way shortly and you will be the first ones to know and view it!! My all encouragement to the NAMS Newbies, especially the Senior group. And I would love to hear breakthrough points of others as they take on the new journey.
Ute Goldkuhle
The Fun Fit and Healthy Grandma
Coming from an era of pre-PC, my fascination with the limitless opportunities never ceased; rather, it has fiercely kindled my learning drive to the point of forcing me to act on my dream. What an opportunity for us “early- or pre-boomers” who have many post-retirement years ahead! Since NAMS5 I have been seriously committed to daily learning tasks, experimenting, writing, … finding my way and my voice. I was so sure I could “brag” at NAMS6 with my first site!! Wrong… all I could do was share my URL with my Tagline: coming very soon. … Now, two months later since NAMS6, my Tagline now reads: very close to launching….
What is taking so long? It is not a lack of great support, assistance, learning tools, etc. And yes, we need to start, ‘just do it,” “take action, revise later…” And all the tech/financial constraints, excuses, hesitations, … every Newbie experiences in one aspect or another, regardless of age. However, the hardest and most difficult stumbling block to overcome, I believe, is a MINDSET shift from what we think, what we know, and our perception as to how things ought to be done, based on our knowledge, experience, and our point of references. To understand the internet marketing mentality, population interests and characteristics, and their voices requires an open mind, a willingness to listen and learn, regardless of how much we think we know. The Mindset shift is more dramatic than we may realize, especially for us older folks, but also a quite enriching process of discovery. Why? That could be another post of interesting discussions.
So, I thought I had done the research, established my target population, a business plan, goals, objectives, and marketing approaches. I felt ready to roll putting the Authority or Hub Site together. But as I began to write the ‘About’ page, it really hit me. When I had to explain myself, my purpose, who do I want to attract, what and how much do I give of myself, my background, my expertise, I realized that I had by far not thoroughly thought through the whole plan. I also was unclear about the characteristics of my target audience, what unique experience I can share, what benefit can I offer, and what would excite my audience. I had to go back to the drawing board, not as the happiest camper though. It was then when I realized that I was stuck in my MINDSET as a former teacher who thought to know more.
NAMS6 brought clarity. Specifically, counsel from Mark Hendricks, David Perdew’s workshop about the power of story telling, Dr. Pauline Wallen’s session finding credible information, and discussions with Bob Jenkins (The Teacher) and Chris Cobb, only to mention a few. I now feel competent enough to state that once any Newbie has mastered the key elements of an Authority Website: the About page and a feature article (well researched with rich content) on the demographics, characteristics and key needs/wants of the target population, the most difficult hurdle and MINDSET shift has been overcome. I could not have done it without NAMS or any other comparable supportive network.
Richard Goutal recently wrote a FB post on 9/17/11 that should encourage anyone starting the journey of building an internet business: "I don't know why but this thought struck me: To shift gears in life and decide to start a business takes no more than turning a canoe- a few deft strokes of a paddle. But to develop a business! That process is more like turning around the Queen Elizabeth II. After all, in a business, you aim to bring a lot of people with you. Of course it takes longer."
Yes, my Authority Website will be on the way shortly and you will be the first ones to know and view it!! My all encouragement to the NAMS Newbies, especially the Senior group. And I would love to hear breakthrough points of others as they take on the new journey.
Ute Goldkuhle
The Fun Fit and Healthy Grandma