There are two ways to go about making money online. There is taking. And there is giving. When we look around we realize that both ways work, but perhaps one way is better than the other...
There are many ways to do marketing, Internet business and even blogging. For me, some ways resonate a lot more than the others. And I've noticed I respond to certain kind of marketing a lot better than I do for something else. So perhaps there's something to learn here.
Taking
Do you write blog posts only to get people to your blog and maybe down the line, buy some of your stuff. Or things you promote products of others via affiliate marketing?
Are you hoarding Twitter followers by mass-following people you don't know and hoping they follow you back? Are you trying to get a lot of followers so you could get money from sponsored Tweets? Or drive people to your blog to buy your stuff?
Are you linking and endorsing certain product because their affiliate product pays better (or because they have an affiliate program in the first place and the other company/product doesn't)? Are you aware of free alternatives to the paid products you promote, but refuse linking to them to keep people paying you?
Do you send emails to your list ONLY to make money? Is every mail you send an affiliate product to a product you never even tried yourself, but it does pay a fat commission? Or maybe you actually promote products that are good, but that's all you do.
You do Internet marketing because you want to make money. You want to take their money. You want my money. You're a taker. And I don't like you very much.
Don't get me wrong, it's OK to pursue the entrepreneurial dream. It's OK to make money, but the paradigm shift is here, the way you're selling is changing. Or if you're not changing, you should.
Giving
When was the last time you gave something without expecting anything in return? When was the last time you helped someone? Could you be an unconventional giver?
When was the last time you added something to your blog, or send to your email list, that didn't sell anything. Even indirectly?
And no, sending out free giveaways of an affiliate product does not count...
You know - just give.
Have you sent an honest tip, link or suggestion to your email list or made a post to your blog sending people to a great source of information, just because you think that way? Without affiliate link, or expecting that person to "share the love" and link back?
Do you understand how much TRUST you build doing that?
Helping
How about asking your subscribers what they need help with? Or what do they want to know? Or maybe look into other blogs, Twitter, other social networking sites and search for what people are struggling with...
And then help them, write blog posts, eBooks, make videos and answer their emails. Just help. Give it away for free. No follow-up post the next day to buy your shit. No up-sell one time offer, or even an email opt-in.
Maybe, just maybe you could feel great for doing just that. Wouldn't that be an awesome way to build your personal brand?
Wouldn't it be great if people, when you finally have something for sell, would come and say that they would love to buy and support you for all that you've done for them before?
...Will Set You Free
You have given stuff away for free. You've helped people without expecting anything in return. But now you decided it is time to start selling your own product or service...
Some would say, why you are NOW asking for money? Why are you not giving it to us for free like you used to do? But most will understand, and you keep the trust you've built through power of free, and some will buy.
But you don't stop there. You will continue, you'll continue giving away free stuff, helping people, healing the world. And you'll keep growing your business, selling more while at it. Helping even more people.
You are very honest about it, you're trying to make a living, just like the guy or gal next to you. And you can be very honest that you're in it to make money, get rich even, but deep down you know that you are in it to help.
And that, my friend, makes you truly awesome.
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21 comments.
Powerful sentiments Antti, and laudable ones too. With my blog I cannot seeing it being seriously monetised but I just love the niche and what it can achieve. There's just so much good stuff out there that can change the people work and I love tracking it down and providing feedback.
Of course no body will like the Money Takers, giving is a way much better, I remember again what they used to say in my country: “Do the right thing and through it into the ocean”! which is not a strategy for money makers, and this is why I am not so sure of I will be able to make a huge amount of money from the internet!
Ah! this is the first time I realize you are a thinker too Antti
Talking about help, I need your opinion about my latest post, maybe an idea or thought about the questions at the end of the post that I really need to find answers for them!
The way I figure it is that the more I make, the more power I have to give back. Of course, money isn't the rule…it's the product of giving people what they want.
Oh yeah, I'm definitely a thinker at times. This post started small. I noticed that I actually enjoyed receiving post from couple of mailing lists I had subscribed, even that the people were “marketers”. Then I realized I didn't like getting mail from some others. The latter were takers, the first were givers.
Oh, I checked your post already earlier today. That was pretty cool stuff you had done there. I'm sure to get back to you on that tomorrow :)
Thanks Kevin, I get all “righteous” at times… Learning, sharing, helping and connecting with others is what makes blogging so enjoyable and powerful. If it's in your interest, the money will come when the time is right :)
Amazing coincidence Antti. You and I must have been thinking the same thing at the same time this evening. Cool post – good thoughts.
It is better to give than to receive. Sure its a biblical verse, but one that I believe should be a live verse. But by giving you will actually receive.
I don't think that it's a matter of giving everything away, but more of setting the priorities correct. First give, then you hands will be empty to receive.
Yes! I didn't think of it like this way until I read your post, money takers emails are in my spam by default LOL! I just don't unsubscribe because I like to watch from time to time what they are talking about and how they keep pushing this emails with no regrets at all!
Great post, Antti!
One of today's internet problems is the fact that too many are heavily focused on themselves and making money with no consideration given to building relationships or trust. Takers will always be just that. “Hi – buy my stuff” is their mantra.
That narrow-sighted business model should pass into history some day.
Excellent post, Antti!
My strategy is to develop my own products. I am just in the process of launching my coaching service and seeing how that goes. I still help people all the time and expect nothing in return.
I do it mainly because it feels good, so in that regard I am kind of selfish. When you just help and hang out with people you'll notice that they naturally want to help you back. It's weird but I guess it's human nature (at least if you're awesome).
Some people want free and some people want more, it's all good.
Zemalf, I just realized something about this blog. It's not cluttered by a bunch of ads. Bless you! I feel your message and I hope that it permeates within me. You just made my day complete.
Thanks.
@Ileane
Unconditional giving is a good habit to cultivate.
The rewards somehow someway always find its way back to you.
Giving was one of my new year's resolution
I had the seeds for this article in my draft folder for couple of weeks, but anyway… Seeing your post the minute after I published mine made me smile :)
Thanks Ileane! I don't have anything against advertising (or the money it might bring), but I do like the minimalistic and clean look :)
This is awesome when we can manage to have a clean blog!
Cool post Antti. That's encouraging, as all I will be doing for a while is giving it away for free. Thanks.
Hey, nice post/ I found it interesting and a little funny in a bit. But all the way, it's great! I hope that giving will really give me the money-making opportunity I expect. LOL
Hi. I appreciate the comment, but please use your own name or initials as commenter “name”. Using site name and/or keywords is against my comment policy (unless you connect with Twitter/Yahoo nickname), and your comment will be marked as spam unless you edit the “name”.
Thanks for your great post.
I created my blog 1 year ago. At that time I just think writing posts to earn more money, but I soon realized that there is a much more precious thing. That's the joy of a blogger as I can help people or answer their questions.
Thanks for the comment. Next time, use your name as the commenter name instead of the website name, as that comes off as spam. so Bob@website is cool, just 'website'… not so much :)
Thanks for the comment. Next time, use your name as the commenter name instead of the website name, as that comes off as spam. so Bob@website is cool, just 'website'… not so much :)