John, who was in financial difficulty, walked into a church and started to pray. ”Listen God,” John said. ”I know I haven’t been perfect but I really need to win the lottery. I don’t have a lot of money. Please help me out.” He left the church, a week went by, and he hadn’t won the lottery, so he walked into a synagogue.
”Come on, God,” he said. ”I really need this money. My mom needs surgery and I have bills to pay. Please let me win the lottery.” He left the synagogue, a week went by, and he didn’t win the lottery. So, he went to a mosque and started to pray again. ”You’re starting to disappoint me, God,” he said. ”I’ve prayed and prayed. If you just let me win the lottery, I’ll be a better person. I don’t have to win the jackpot, just enough to get me out of debt. I’ll give some to charity, even. Just let me win the lottery.” John thought this did it, so he got up and walked outside. The clouds opened up and a booming voice said, ”John, buy a !@?! lottery ticket”. *
Recently, quite a few of my clients have had amazing opportunities offered to them. Interviews in the Wall Street Journal, a magazine article (one client may even be featured on the magizine cover!) and more. These could be viewed as ‘lucky’ breaks but more accurately, they are the result of consistent and effective efforts. These clients have worked hard to define and build awareness of their brand, including polished websites, e-newsletters, blogs and portfolios up to date and ready for any ‘lucky’ breaks. They were able to mobilize immediately when the opportunities arose. They had ‘bought a ticket’, they were ‘in the game’.
Quite often, I come across people that complain about how online marketing and social media is a waste of resources – or that it is nothing more than a huge time drain. And yes, it can be – but I ask them, have you defined your online goals? Do you have a plan? Have you determined the sites that will help YOU meet YOUR goals? If not, it’s kind of like praying to win the lottery without buying a ticket.
Are you in the game?
