We’re all different. We all have different things that motivate and inspire us and we all have different things that depress and demoralize us.
Naturally there are things that are universal, most of us will be inspired by a story of an underdog defying massive odds or by receiving a gushing compliment. Similarly, watching a natural disaster like Katrina unfold or a not-so natural disaster like the BP fiasco will tend to bring us down.
Unfortunately for you and me, a lot of people that have the power to influence don’t get this, they don’t (or more likely wont) see the differences in us all and as such are intent on offering cookie cutter approaches to life.
One such cookie cutter is imposing the belief that more money will make you a happier person.
This is a belief literally billions of people buy into. And that isn’t to criticize because it would be a marvel if it weren’t the case as we have it rammed down our throats on a daily basis.
If you’re a blogger or keen on reading e-books you’ll know a lot of the most popular blogs and best read e-books are either directly, or indirectly, about making money.
There’s a steady stream of people telling you how to make $10k per month blogging, how you can procure 25,000 followers on Twitter in 36 seconds without even getting out of bed, and how for just $97 you can receive $1,698 worth of FREE product designed to make you laugh with pity at Donald Trumps bank balance.
If you’re told something enough times there’s a remarkably high probability you’ll start to believe it.
Recently I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mike Tekula from Unstuck Digital. Mike is a very genuine, laid back, cool guy that has an exceptional writing ability.
He came to me for life coaching predominantly because he wasn’t sure which way he wanted to go with his business.
After spending some time with Mike and really getting to know him and what he really values it became apparent that he genuinely is one of those people that ‘gets it‘ with regard to money.
He doesn’t want to be one of the bloggers bragging about how much money he earns and how much he can earn for you. He’s also not interested in aiming for the highest paying clients and picking up the biggest contracts, that just isn’t his style.
I asked him to forget about the normal business way of doing things that would involve trying to figure out what his readers and clients want so he could meet their needs. Instead, I wanted him to tell them in the form of a post, what his needs are.
It’s getting increasingly difficult for any company to carve a genuine niche. USP’s (unique selling points or unique service propositions) don’t exist for most businesses except in the minds of consultants and sales managers because few products or services can be truly unique i.e. one of a kind.
However, people are unique, so molding a business in line with your values makes it unique by default. Offering pay per click or SEO work will never be unique or called a niche, but baring your soul to your prospects and explaining who you are and what you stand for, is.
Below is the post Mike sent me and he’s kindly agreed that I can share it with you. The reasons I wanted to do so are primarily twofold.
Firstly, it’s a brilliant manifesto that oozes integrity and personality and Mike’s definitely somebody that I would hire on the back of reading something like this.
Secondly, it may not be the traditional way of forming a niche based around a product or service, but I believe the net effect is the same.
I’d like to know whether you agree with my take or whether you think Mike would be better trying to niche his services rather than himself?
Also, I’m keen to know if you have you even done anything like this, even if it went unpublished? If not, do you think you could benefit from it. Let me know in the comments.
My People & Me
My people are the underdogs.
They want to leave things better than they found them, and that’s more important to them than growing rich. (But if they become wealthy in the process they won’t complain.)
They do what they do because they love it, not because they heard there’s money in it.
They’ve got a bag of tricks, a dedication to providing value and an affinity for the art of problem solving that is entrepreneurship.
And they know that, like any art, nobody can tell you where to take it.
They don’t sacrifice their ideals for a buck, even if that means they get by on red beans and rice for a few weeks. (Or borrowing from the in-laws.)
They’re passionate about the people they help, not just the technique of their craft.
And their default is to trust that most people have good intentions – so an overly litigious attitude isn’t useful.
Me?
I’m just like my people. Because I’m one of them.
My bag of tricks:
Building WordPress blogs & websites
Copywriting
Using SEO and pay-per-click advertising to generate traffic
I work for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs who have a small budget and need to get their online marketing moving today.
My clients have a hands-on mindset and are ready to learn, but they know better than to try doing everything alone.
And that would be lonely anyway.
My Back Story
I started tinkering with websites in high school. No, I wasn’t popular – I went to prom solo. Though I did play guitar in a punk band (we were awful).
After high school, I studied philosophy and writing in college.
When I graduated it turned out companies weren’t fighting over the writing majors, and working construction, while a healthy way to spend the day, didn’t offer much of a future.
I worked in the web agency world for a few years, building everything from $90k websites to $500 splash pages.
I managed AdWords campaigns upwards of $5k/month and SEO campaigns for 50+ clients.
There were plenty of successes, but I saw a lot of people ripped off.
I learned that aggressive sales tactics are ugly – especially when it’s clear the service isn’t all it’s been billed as.
After a while, I couldn’t stomach it. The “just business” attitude didn’t sit well with me.
I didn’t want to find myself in another conference room pointing to graphs and charts justifying a service that I knew wasn’t bringing a positive return. Or covering up lapses in judgement by blaming “the economy.”
I felt like a leech.
So I resigned and took off with $10k in the bank, a home office and a naive attitude about how tough it would be to run my own show.
Even while I knew it would be “hard work,” I didn’t anticipate the amount of stress it can bring to have no idea where your next check will from but an eminent knowledge of where your bills will.
It’s been, and will continue to be, a fight.
But I can say this: for every penny I’ve received, I know I’ve provided at least a penny of value in return. And I’ve helped a lot of good people get their businesses moving online.
That’s worth quite a bit.
Tim Brownson is a Certified Life Coach and has been unsticking people and helping them reach their true potential since 2005. If you would like to know how he can help you
Mike,
Can’t help but feel like I know you by reading that. The thing that I see missed in so many businesses is the bottom line of relationships. Everything you started your business for, and the way you look at your clients tells me you can attain your success.
As soon as I work out where my web presence should be going, I’m calling YOU.
@Mike Thanks a lot. I was a little hesitant about this post going “public” at first, but Tim convinced(threatened) me.
Thanks for sharing this, Tim – and for the kind words.
And also for kicking my ass in exchange for my hard-earned cash. Worth every penny.
I love this! This really gave me a sense of what your values are. Since you seem to represent the same ideals that matter to me, it would be an easy choice to work with you if I needed the services you provide.
I’m actually at a crossroad professionally, and this was exactly what I needed to read today. You’ve inspired me. Thank you =)
@ Lori – Good point about the values. I think it’s almost impossible to write something like this and not come over as genuine. It’s not you average missions statement comprised of glib platitudes and heart-hearted promises that’s for sure.
Thanks for the post! I am reminded of the history of my career(s). I have been a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in private practice for the last 20 years in the midwest. I do this work because I have a passion for helping individuals, couples, and families improve their relationships with each other, because frankly, relationships are what matter most in our lives. I love the work I have done, but have made very little money doing it since Manage Care took over the health care industry over 15 years ago. I chose to continue the work with about a third the income because I love working with people! Now I am transitioning into providing retirement life coaching to baby boomers because, being one, I know what it is like to be approaching the age where traditionally you are “suppose” to retire and “rest on your laurels”, but since baby boomers are not a “retiring type” ( having promised to change the world) they could benefit from guidance in getting “back to where (they) once belonged!” and reconnecting with their passion again! I am passionate about the work I do, with a goal of creating world peace, one person at a time! It is truly not about the money, but about making a difference in the world. (I just can’t help sounding like a hippie from the 60′s can I!)
P.S. I also play guitar and sing old folk songs in coffee shops locally…and make no money at it! I also watercolor paint, and have my work in local venues…and make no money at it! I do these things, obviously, because I love to, not for profit.
So, to make a long story a little shorter, I “get” what you are talking about, and applaud you for voicing it! Thanks!
By the way, I have no objection to making money, it just isn’t the driving force behind what I do, and why I do it!
Char Elle En, ACSW
Retirement Life Coach
Next In Life Coaching
“Never Retire Your Dreams!”
Mike,
Thank you for sharing this with us. I left the article feeling both trust for you and appreciation for your leadership.
It has been said (and forgive me I’ve forgotten by whom so let’s just pretend it was me) that in the end the only thing a man really owns is his integrity. Yours, my friend is quite in place.
I, too, am inspired. Lisa
I’m really not sure about this. I even commented and then didn’t post it. Something about it just doesn’t sit right – but maybe that’s because I’m not one of Mike’s people… and maybe Mike is cool with that.
I like the ‘bag of tricks’ section, but the rest seems to suggest (even if it doesn’t say it outright), that big business is bad or corrupt. Or that wanting to make money is ugly. Business is about making money. If you don’t make money you’ll go out of business – and that isn’t good for anyone.
I don’t doubt Mike’s integrity or talent. And I totally respect what he’s doing. I just think that he might be under-valuing himself. If he’s capable of working on big money sites, I bet he could do the same as his old business, and do it a whole lot better and in line with his values. With that slight shift in attitude, there’d be no need to be (or serve) the underdog and Mike could perhaps live with less money worries.
Getting people’s businesses moving online is worth a lot – and there’s no shame in being paid a fair price for it. If that online presence serves their business well, Mike should not have to suffer financially to help get them there.
I know there’s a lot of positive in it, but the overall tone, for me at least, is negative.
Mike, you clearly have integrity and talent. By all means work with and for like-minded people. Just don’t sell* yourself short.
*I use the word reluctantly as I get the feeling you might find it a bit crass.
I’m with Lori and Lisa on this one.
It’s amazing how you can begin to ‘know’ someone through some well written, to the point, text over the internet.
You sound really authentic, Mike. I like to work with authentic people and would happily consider you if (and when) I require services in your niche.
@ Mark – That’s an amazing example of how we see things differently because I didn’t, and don’t, see what you are seeing.
A business has to make money of course, but equally it has to offer value. I think Mike is putting those two things in perspective, in terms of HIS values.
I think too many companies target profit and hope customers are happy than target happy customers and trust the money will follow.
I have worked for 3 blue chip organizations and every one acted unethically when it served their cause. I think well-run, honest and ethical large businesses are the exception rather than the norm.
Hi Tim~
I just thought I’d jump into this conversation. I saw Mark’s comment in my inbox, and it made me think. Mostly because I am always selling myself short on the financial end. I am a giver by nature, and I frequently work for far less than I am worth (sometimes even for free).
While I want to live a life aligned with my values, I also want to feel comfortable to ask for what I’m worth. I’m learning every day it’s a lot more than I once thought.
I see what you’re saying about large companies frequently being unethical. Having just read Delivering Happiness, I feel obligated to throw Zappos out there as an example of a big company that does well financially and also upholds many of the values I hold dear.
Very thought-provoking comments! All quite helpful. Thanks to all involved =)
Lori
@Tim – After posting my comment, I think I worked out what was bothering me, and that is… I got the impression that Mike was struggling, and it was because he felt it was a necessary by-product of being authentic. I’d love to see more people like Mike continuing to be authentic and living by their values whilst being successful (however they define success), without having to make financial sacrifices. Yes, it might mean turning down ‘unethical’ work, but there must be enough ethical employers out there who need his skills and are prepared to pay him properly for his talent.
Just because these ethical and financially successful businesses are the exception doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work to change that. If ethical small businesses got out of the mindset that only other small businesses are ethical, then they could start doing work for bigger ethical businesses and hopefully start taking business away from the players with less integrity. I don’t see that happening when the language used is about going solo to the prom or living on beans and rice. That stuff could be cut out and still leave a very positive message with much broader appeal.
@Lori Thanks – values are definitely central to this, as that’s something Tim’s been helping me to get a better handle on than I’ve had in the past. Not to say I’ve got it all nailed down, but this experiment helped me get a lot closer to understanding them at the core.
@Char That’s a great example of a “rich” life without the “riches.” I suspect that while you’ve made certain sacrifices what you’ve gained in return far outweights them.
@Lisa Thanks very much. It so happens Integrity is one of my core values (as Tim helped me to identify them) – so I’m happy that came through in the post.
@Mark Thanks for your comment, and I appreciate your point. It’s part of an internal dialogue I’ve had on the subject of money. While the people I want to help tend to be the people without much to throw around, I certainly don’t think or feel that those who struggle financially have a monopoly on morality and are the only ones worth helping.
That said, in my experience I don’t draw a lot of value from helping the “rich get richer” – if there’s a bigger cause involved, if the organization isn’t profit-driven to a fault or if the product/service/idea is dear to me, that’s another story.
And no, I don’t think it’s crass to put it that way. You raise a valid point.
@Rob Thanks for the kind words. I’d love to think all of my communication speaks to people with authenticity. That’s of central importance to me.
@Lori Good point on Zappos – they’ve done quite well financially while keeping to the noble path. I’m certainly not opposed to making money (even lots of money), but at the end of the day it won’t mean a damn to me if I’ve burned someone (or helped an organization do the burning) in the process.
@Mark I think you’ve touched on something important. Those two quotes you pulled do come across as negative – and I see your point about the implied connection between authenticity and financial struggle.
I admit I’ve had my financial struggles, and I’m sure there’s something of my experiences in and with bigger businesses in the color of my thinking on authenticity and money.
I’d like to say that money is neutral to me – that it doesn’t carry any inherent morality in my mind – but I can’t say, for certain, that that is the case. Something to explore.
@Lori Glad you understood what I was trying to get at. I think this kind of discussion helps people clarify things in their own mind – whether that is confirming what they already thought or seeing things differently.
@Mike I appreciate your comments. I was weary of posting at first as it felt like a bit of an attack – and it wasn’t meant to be. I don’t like the the idea of making the rich richer for the sake of it. Nor would I like to sacrifice my values in order to do so. But if someone is getting rich because they provide great value in way which is aligned to my values, then I’d be quite happy to help them and charge accordingly for my expertise. I used to be a ‘lowly’ employee and feel very negatively about big business. I then helped a small business become big and started to see a bigger picture. Even though the company sometimes did things I didn’t like, I felt it was my duty to do everything I could to fight for the my staff, my customers *and* my boss! Their needs often seemed contradictory on the surface – but really they weren’t. Happy staff meant happy customers, and happy customers meant more money – which meant a happy boss. It wasn’t that simple, but you know what I’m trying to say.
@Mark Not at all – I’m glad you chimed in.
This is all a learning/growing process, so I’m not holding hard and fast to my perception of the business world. I know my own experience will naturally influence my perception, and if that perception is self-limiting…well, that’s something I want to be aware of (and, in that awareness, start to change it).
this article is so inspiring.
i luv this Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks
Thanks
Taylar Tom
We all have to make sure to find a niche that is good for us and that we can be successful in. Sometimes it takes trial and error to find this but hard work will always prevail in the long run.
Hey, @MikeTek!
I really appreciate your post, and what I read into it from my own perspective.
I think many of us have ideas about money that are attached to our issues, or a pattern in our history we’ve simply accepted — sometimes without even knowing it.
In my instance, my mission is to help people who are struggling with healing from emotional trauma (such as abuse or grief), and/or moving beyond its being central to their present lives. What I eventually hope to develop is a community based website that’s positive and supportive. (I’ve run into many that reinforce people living as victims, rather than promoting healing.)
When I think about making money from the website, it’s as a platform for my writing (a long way down the road), but even then it feels to me like the purpose is to get my writing “out there” to help people.
My history with money is one of living poor and struggling, but also of lessons in how to make it stretch (shopping tactics, etc.), and which bills can be “shuffled” and paid the following month without penalty. When there was a 10 year period when I didn’t need to shuffle the bills or work so hard at shopping, I honestly didn’t know what to do with the money. I usually used it to acquire nicer “things” than I’d had before (tho I had money pulled out of my paycheck for a voluntary retirement and charity programs).
I guess what I’m saying is that it sounds like your history with money includes less personal a pattern and more of a business-based view where money was used unethically. I can see how that could easily affect your feelings about making money from your business. And I believe every time we become aware of a personal view we have about anything, that’s a great opportunity to look at it and decide whether or not it fits with who we really want to be — our values, priorities, ethical beliefs, and more.
So (after that long-winded comment), I think your writing this post was an excellent exercise in self-definition and self- discovery, and I hope you take it and run with it to expand on both.
@Tim — I enjoy the way you find guest writers who are willing to share so much of themselves in their writing. Thank you!
Annie