Having your feet on nature’s ground is a personally and professionally grounding experience.  I encourage you all to step away from your computer from time to time, as fresh air will help you be a better business person.  Speaking of business, my time at Mt. Yonah in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia helped me make “rock star” outdoor lessons/marketing correlations that will serve as a healthy reminder of ways that we can make our web marketing work to grow our companies in a meaningful way.

How to be a Web Marketing Rock Star

As a newbie to Mt. Yonah, I was in uncharted territory, which can create feelings of uncertainty.  This is the same thing we all feel when we embark into the wild, wild web world of marketing.  I was reminded of the lack of comfort we all feel as business people when we start new ventures, but also presented with lessons that were pretty therapeutic and inspiring

Web Marketing ROCK STAR Lesson #1:
The first thing to do is get out there and have an open mind
When it comes to web marketing, the first thing we have to do is JUST DO IT.  Getting your wild web marketing shoes on is a step in the right direction.  I felt leery as I was out of state on a new hike and very leery about climbing (since I am very inexperienced), but I know I would never accomplish anything if I didn’t get out there. I encourage you to get over your fear and put your marketing shoes on, time is ticking!  The biggest fear we need to feel is doing nothing web-marketing-wise.  Inaction is frightening!  No action = no results.  Having an open mind allows us to take in our new surroundings, while setting the tone for success.  Observing, asking questions, stepping carefully and being open to the unknown is healthy marketing momentum that allows us to learn and grow.

Web Marketing ROCK STAR Lesson #2: Keep moving and set goals!
When the going gets tough, the tough has to keep moving.  When I was hiking, there were rocks in the path, ticks in the brush and slippery slopes, but at the end of the hike was also a very stunning view and I had a goal to conquer.  Having a clear goal helped me stay focused and while on the hike, the reminder that small footsteps in front of the other was what made a BIG difference.  Confucius said that “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.  Keep moving towards your business goals and remember that web marketing is one of the mountains to get you to where you want to go.

Web Marketing ROCK STAR Lesson #3: A little positive attitude makes a BIG difference.
Success comes in cans and failure comes in can’ts.  I had a lot of moments of what I could not do, but when I turned my frowns upside down, I cannot tell you how much more fun I had, how much more I learned and how much better I performed.  Instead of feeling fear of what I didn’t know, I felt gratitude for having the opportunity to add a new skill set to my book of life experiences.  I asked a lot of questions and remembered that as adults, we learn by doing, and seized the opportunity to get in the game…the same lessons apply to how we need to embrace web marketing.  Become one with the nature of marketing to avoid working against it.  We get better by getting in the game, that’s the only way to play.

Web Marketing ROCK STAR Lesson #4: Remember that we cannot go it alone, surround yourself with experts and great teachers and do not forget the value of good equipment!
I did not venture to Mt. Yonah by myself.  I had the company of someone smarter and wiser.  I remember when started my company in 2005 and the challenges I had by not being surrounded with experts like I had from my corporate days.  As I grew my company and helped clients grow theirs, I saw the return on investment when GREAT people were engaged.  We are all better in business with a team attitude, no matter how large or small our companies are.  We are the product of who we associate with – make sure your professional alliances are quality ones.

I had a great climbing teacher who was a great communicator, patient and was committed to helping me succeed.  Never underestimate the value of great education in all areas of life.  I accepted what I did not know and was willing to learn, as I have done with web marketing.  The nature of web marketing is that (like nature) we are all part of an ecosystem and co-depend on each other.

I also couldn’t have done what I did on the rock without sound equipment.  I was belaying my climbing partner with a Grigri tool, a piece of equipment critical to success.  I am typing this post on a great WordPress blog, which is technology that allows me to do what I do well at work.  Tools help us work faster and smarter.   Having great teachers and experts around us while being willing to learn HOW to use the tools will allow us to succeed.

Web Marketing ROCK STAR Lesson #5: Get over your perfectionism issues!
Being a perfectionist is a common trait that holds us back from getting meaningful marketing work done.  It is also a trait that holds us back personally.  Perfectionism can stem from insecurity and an over-active ego.  I embraced the fact that I was going to suck my first time out on the rock at Mt. Yonah.  I knew I was going to have moments of not looking cool, asking silly questions, making mistakes, making rookie moves and being the least cool of anyone out that day.  I promise you that your first attempts at web marketing will not be perfect.  Look at my first website.  It was far from fabulous, but it got me on the web marketing trail.

Web Marketing *BONUS* ROCK STAR LESSON – HAVE FUN!

If you aren’t having fun with web marketing, there is no point.  The pieces of web marketing need to work together to make your marketing click.  The combination of the lessons below will = great results:
-Getting out there
-Having an open mind
-Keep moving
-Setting goals
-Having a positive attitude
-Not going it alone (Surround yourself quality people, teachers and experts)

-Being willing to learn

-Getting over perfectionist issues

You’ll find that web marketing is a lot of fun.  Let your personality shine though and become one with your inner web marketing ROCK STAR….you WILL get to the top!!

Web Marketing Therapy Related Links:

• Viral Marketing for Rock Stars!
• Business Success: Use VALUE(S) as Your Springboard and Your North Star!