Today may have been the single most positive day in my business development in years!
That may sound like a big statement, but let me give you some history. About eight months ago my consulting business was in need of some redirection. I had been working as a marketer in some form or another for nearly two decades at that point, but a misguided side-step into franchise ownership threw things off kilter a lot.
So it was clear to me that I needed to do something about it.
Even though I'd had personal and professional relationships with others in the wine industry, where I'd come from, I could only take those so far in building my new practice.
So, somewhat out of desperation, as is often the case with small business owners, I took the web to find the answers to my professional challenges. What did I find? A lot of junk: tons of web pages filled with empty promises, and a clear motivation hanging on their sleeves… to take my money and deliver as little as possible.
But then, as the clouds parted and the heavens sang, I happened upon a YouTube video discussion between Rachel Rofe and David Perdew about Kindle Books. At the time, it seemed an odd subject for marketers to be discussing, but as I leaned in and paid more and more attention to the underlying details, I realized that the new, decentralized internet proved a host of opportunity for the typical small business owner. And Kindle books were just one sing point of entry into that world.
So I did some more research, and discovered the pedigree behind his Perdew guy I'd been watching host this interview. A few more click led me to his website, and, finally, as any good student of online marketing does, I opted in to his email list by accepting an offer to download an ebook that promised to teach me how to implement “passive income” strategies into my business.
And you know what? David Perdew delivered on that promise.
Which meant, of course, that he had both my trust… and my attention.
Fast forward eight months, and I'm a happy customer and active community member in David's MyNAMS Insider's Club.
And that bring me to this weekend's lucky NAMS 13. It's the first one of these semi-annual workshops I've attended… and, after just over a day, I can confidently say it won't be my last.
In just the first full day of seminars and networking, I've learned valuable lessons about engineering the formation of personal and professional habits, not overcomplicating concepts in my business, and how to become a better listener to my prospects and clients. And better yet, I had one-on-one conversations with several prospective joint venture partners (a concept foreign to many offline businesses, but it shouldn't be).
Here's my takeaway: live events have the ability to reinvigorate a business or an individual's professional aspirations. Some events are better than others… this event is among the best I've attended to date.
So if online marketing channels are right for your business, and you want to partner with a diverse, supportive, and successful community of online marketers, NAMS is a place you need to be.
I hope you'll take the initial steps to become a part of this world. Take baby steps by investing in the replay videos from this weekend's workshop or digging in an committing to the next NAMS, taking place in August, 2015.
Either way, you'll be among friends and colleagues, all in place to help you move forward in your business.
It's already started for me.