Yesterday I listened to a an interview of Alex Mandossian, ‘the Productivity Guy’. Alex made some very profound statements during the interview, so today I’d like to talk about one of them, he said:
“the only failure in life, is to fail to participate”
(R Buckminster Fuller)
This statement could mean so many different things like:
- the failure to participate in networking
- the failure to participate in a marriage; relationship
- the failure to participate in social networking
- the failure to participate in education
- the failure to participate in politics
- the failure to participate in your OWN growth as a business
- the failure to participate in the NOW (current economy & events)…
- ah, the lists goes on…
So many times, as business owners, we only participate as far as what gets us the sale. Like explaining a product and/or service in detail and going for the close ~ ‘cha-ching!’ But guess how much work it takes to continue to get those sales? A LOT! Because you’ve basically positioned yourself as a ’sales person’ instead of an expert ~ a person who goes beyond the point of selling by empowering others with compelling information, hence, creating long term relationships.
Let’s cut the crap…
So let’s talk about failing to participate online. If you’re reading this message, that means you’re online! Whether you have physical or tangible products that you promote online, point blank — you’re an online marketer.
If you’re on facebook or twitter, you’re there to establish friendships – to become known – to get people to notice you and what you have to offer.
Social networking is NOT just about you! So many times, online marketers never see the results they’re looking for because they make it all about them… for example, they never respond to twitter messages, they don’t respond to facebook comments, they don’t feel as though they need to answer emails, they don’t participate in targeted forums, etc., — all because they see it as a waste of time (or it’s not important enough…) WRONG ANSWER!
That simply means… you’ve failed to participate!
You’ve failed to participate to the needs of the people who are looking to you for answers, for support and encouragement. The awesome thing about the Internet is that we literally, have the world at our fingertips. (hint-hint 
) and a lot of us miss the opportunity to capture it.
You see the awesome thing about participating is gathering information. Information that you would normally have to seek out on your own – very time consuming, eh?
Allowing people to get to know you, to see your generous participation — compels one to ‘embrace you’ and your message.
If you’re not commenting on blogs, on twitter or facebook, etc., then how can I or anyone else for that matter, get to know who YOU are? Maybe you have something that will benefit my readers, but they’ll never know because you’re not talking, you’re not commenting, hence, you’re not participating!
I encourage you to ‘turn up the volume’ – get out of your own box and venture into new areas, people and sounds. Make a conscious effort to participate, it is only then that you’ll see the fruits of your labor
I welcome you to share your comments or questions below ~ afterall, I have an awesome reputation when it comes to participation.
I’m keeping it real,
P.S. Wanna check out Alex’s interview? It’s a good one, here!
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Love this Regina! You can be sure I’ll be passing this post along to my team – excellent advice, as always. Thanks!
Hey Ellen! Awesome. I can’t say this enough, participation produces results — no participation equals zero results. People want to say opportunities don’t work, but that’s usually because they’re too lazy to apply proven principles that do work!
True again. I find so many people are still looking for the ‘get rich quick’ opportunity and fail to realize that a legitimate opportunity requires hard work and persistence. Your message is a good one, and very timely with the explosion of social networking!
Twitter: BAMMedia
February 22, 2010 at 1:49 pm
There is nothing I can add to this article—only to say it sums up what I truly believe about social networking and how it can affect your business. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Bev, you and I both understand the power of participation oh so well. I believe that’s how we became the friends we are today! Establishing like minded relationships that prove more than money, creates a foundation for countless possibilities
Twitter: sharonmc
February 22, 2010 at 2:51 pm
You hit it right on as usual Regina! I think social media’s dependency upon our participation to make it work is what makes doing business today so gratifying and exciting. Everyone has an opportunity to share and to learn – all they have to do is participate.
Sharon McMillan´s last blog ..Real Life Coach Offers Advice and Gift Package
Twitter: latarahamying
February 22, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Love it! Of course I have to expound on this a bit
I have been having a love/hate relationship with twitter for this very reason. A lack of participation. I often times feel like I am connecting to myself. It is like a giant meat market where people try to find the best deals and the marketers try to bait them with the right hook.
I had to disassociate myself with a lot of my followers because they talked at me and not to me.
I can get on some days, ask folks how they are doing or what is going on in their world but get absolutely no response. I can even reply to something someone says and they say nothing back.
I try to reply to every mention I get because I feel it is important to connect and not to feel as if only some folks tweets merit a response. I personally think that is tack y business and it turns me off.
Ok ok, let me shut it up because I can go on forever.
Thanks for bringing this topic alive Regina!
You’re right Sharon, it does depend on our participation to make it work, and it also depends on what we’re saying even to the point of responding. I personally love the interaction and know you do as well ~ doing so, we get to talk more, become familiar with each other as well as respond to the needs of the people around us.
I’m like Alice Seba, when she says If Email Marketing Dies, I’ll Eat My Shoe, — well I say, I’ll eat mine too when social media no longer exists
Wow Latara, I’ve been thinking the same way about Twitter! Mine is a bit different though, I tend to look for the solution, like trying out a few things here and there, to see what’s going to happen. It has changed considerably because conversations use to flow just like on facebook, now it seems as though facebook is the more ‘popular’ place to be, because of the continuous interaction.
We have to make a decision to keep doing what we’re doing because that’s positive exposure — if no one is responding, remember, ‘they’re the one’s who aren’t participating’, it’s definitely not you
Twitter: latarahamying
February 22, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Yeah Regina I have done that as well. I was not surprised to see that a comment like ” Well I will not say hello today because no one ever responds. So I will simply say have a great day. “, it gets a huge response. I just sit back and laugh! However, I like to stir the waters like that from time to time
But you are right the flow is lost on Twitter and I really hope we can get it back =:)
LaTara´s last blog ..What’s Your Approach To Business Part 1