Joaquin Phoenix Quits Hollywood

Joaquin Phoenix just announced he would be leaving the acting profession and not appear in anymore screen roles. The younger brother of the late River Phoenix stated "This will be my last performance as an actor. I'm not doing films anymore... I've been through that. I've done it... I'm dead serious." He will pursue a music career.

His friend and future band mate Tim Burgess said, "Once he learnt guitar he found that he had quite a lot of demons inside himself that he wanted to expel through music." Referring to the life changing experience Phoenix underwent by learning to play guitar in portraying Johnny Cash in "Walk the Line".

This is bit of a detour for this blog, but it's in keeping with the theme of following one's own vision and listening to that inner voice that drives us. Hollywood and the movie going public are missing a great talent, as his roles and performances have been very compelling. I look forward to his contributions to the music world and wish him well.

Here's a video clip of Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon performing in their own voices as Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash from the film "Walk the Line".

Developing a Positive Mindset

My last entry about developing a marketing philosophy got me thinking about mindset. Without turning this into some mystical or metaphysical passage it is important to grasp as soon as you can, that you are what you think about. Negativity will spawn more negativity and positivity will breed that which is positive everytime, it is a law of nature.

We all get bogged down in our lives and it is impossible to bop along with a plastered on grin all the time but that is not what having a good mindset is about. It's about focusing on what is important and being true to ourselves. Attitude is everything and the sooner this is understood and practiced the sooner we are able to bring good things into our lives.

We have to mentally train ourselves to be positive in the face of adversity. Life is difficult and dwelling on our shortcomings and challenges will only bring about more stress. It is simply counter productive to wallow in a sea of woe and pain. Embrace the most simple of blessings that most of take for granted and engrain them into your outlook.

First of all, be grateful for the things you do have. You have life. You have food, water, and shelter, and you have people who care about you. What about money? The economy is uncertain right now and money is such a huge focus for us all. We depend on it so much that it seems to dominate every aspect of our lives.

Success is often defined by money especially by outward sources. We are judged by our material wealth today more than ever. This can weigh heavily on our spirit. It is important to note without sounding like a fortune cookie that true happiness does not come from money. Money is a by-product of success not success itself.

Let me repeat that. Money is a by product of success not success itself. I did not coin the phrase "do what you love and money will follow", but I constantly remind myself of this. I need money just like anybody, but I don't let it rule me. Money allows us a lot of freedom to focus on what matters and to not be burdened by the need of it. It is crucial to develop a healthy attitude toward your life, loves, and fellow man or you will find yourself always in a state of want.

It would be impossible to read this entry and be changed immediatly as a result. However, a decision to live your life a certain way and take control over your thoughts can take place in an instant. I couldn't possibly list all my sources of inspiration right here. Some come from books or movies, some come from people or memories, some come from experience, some come from nature, and some just come from within.

Whatever you draw your inspiration and motivation from I recommend you stay in tune with it. Seek out your passions and never let your mind take that dark turn toward doubt and negativity. Drink from good books and value the simple gifts that we are given each day.

There are so many great examples to remind us, guide us and motivate us. Remember, when we control our thoughts and develop a great attitude and mindset is when we really start to live.

Advertising and Marketing: What's the Difference?

Recently I was having a talk about marketing and the subject of advertising seemed to dominate this conversation. We kept coming back to all the different methods of advertising when it dawned on me that advertising is not marketing in and of itself. Many professionals believe it is an interchangeable term that relates to the promotion of their business.

Advertising is actually a component of marketing. As in, all advertising is marketing but not all marketing is advertising. An ad or advertisement is an announcement of a product or service. Albeit an important component of business success, it is merely a device to attract the attention of a particular segment of the population with the goal of an action being carried out. Usually that action is to use or buy the product.

The purpose of marketing is also to attract attention often by using the same media vehicles that we use in advertising. I think where the confusion comes in is this similarity. It is important to plan your whole marketing scheme and develop a plan and philosophy for your business. Advertising is a crucial and necessary tool to attract business, but advertising alone is not enough.

Marketing begins with the relationship you want to form with a given public, be it large or small. It begins with the image you want to create and the emotion or feelings you want to stir in people. Part of this can be done through effective advertising campaigns, but your marketing is the all encompassing bedrock of your business.

Think of the most successful brands in the world. They usually conjure an image that is directly associated with that brand. Rolex or Mercedez Benz immediately brings to mind affluence and a high standard of living. Ford automobiles stands for family and tradition, Heinz ketchup for quality and consistency, and Sony for cutting edge and precision technology.

These companies have spent years building their reputation and it started with their marketing foundation. The advertising reflects their market image but it is not the foundation of the brand. Many other factors are involved in marketing, such as service, brand image, quality, recognition, a logo, relationship with customers, public relations, and above all being unique.

How does your product make people feel? More importantly, does it make them feel good by doing business with you other than someone else. Constantly focus on building the best brand and image possible and do whatever you can to improve. Consider your marketing philosophy as a whole when developing a business strategy and let the advertising drive your success, but don't let it become your business.

The Key to Wealth

What is the difference between the rich and the poor? Money? Perhaps. But what else? What is the key ingredient that separates the rich and the poor. It's got to be something.

There are many unknowns concerning this question. People are born into wealth, some people have brilliant minds or exceptional abilities and are rewarded for their talents, some inherit wealth, win the lottery, or just get lucky. And yes many work hard, make the right investments and over time accumulate wealth.

Then there are those who work hard and never seem to have two dimes to scratch together. Many are born into very unfavorable circumstances with insurmountable odds against succeeding or they're just never presented with the right opportunity.

Why then do some rise out of these bad situations or out of want and poverty into wealth and abundance. No one can answer these questions with absolute certainty or why there is so much imbalance in the abundance of wealth in the first place. There are many unknowns both from an economic point of view and especially a spiritual point of view.

Why so much inequity. We probably will never know the answer to all the whys. However, many a wealthy people have risen from a life of lack into a life of riches. When these people have been questioned about how they were able to acheive so much, their answers ring with some surprising commonalities.

Some of these traits are an undying belief in self or in one's cause. Passion, persistence, tenacity comes up over and again. The willingness to fail and to learn is very important. But more common to them all is the desire to give and give generously.

J.D. Rockefeller rose from a poor family to a modest bookkeeper to an oil refining magnate to one if not the richest man in the world. Rockefeller decided very early in his life that he would amass so much money, as much money as humanly possible just so he could give away and donate money to help others.

It's funny how historical facts get blurred. Rockefeller has not always been painted in such a favorable light but this business pioneer was a devoted family man and humanitarian who gave to countless causes and lived to be a happy ninety years old.

When we convince ourselves that true riches come from giving rather than the scarcity mindset of "what's in it for me". We can begin to experience the true meaning of wealth. Live to give, expect little, and the rewards will follow. Many a great men have said words similar to this.

Also, the ability to learn from one's mistakes and not fear these mistakes and failures but to embrace them and learn to grow from each and every one. This is the key. The thirst for knowledge and learning. The wealthy recongnize when they don't have the answer or know something and seek out answers from those that do.

They are humble students of life throughout their life and can admit when they are wrong. The poor thinking man cannot admit mistakes and is ashamed of not knowing what they think they should and stubbornly refuse to learn and grow and change, because, of course, they have the answers. The result is usually an atttitude of blame, resentment, jealousy, self pity and lack.

Of course there are many gray areas involving these concepts but the prevailing truth is that the wealthy man pursues a life of continual learning and generousity. This may contradict many perceived notions and stereotypes about rich, greedy misers and they certainly do exist. However, these men do not live a life of true abundance and wealth, even though their bank accounts may reflect they do.

A life of wealth is about so much more than money. Money can create the fuel for abundant living and freedom but it is up to you, how you spend your money and live your life.

Promoting Offline Businesses Online

Every once in a while, sometimes more often than we want, the overall marketplace experiences a hiccup or just plain stagnates. This is to be expected and should not be cause for panic. We are now going through some serious economic woes and uncertainty, not to mention being at the tail end of a crucial and historic election year.

Some online marketers may feel nervous, confused, or frustrated. Others may be pessimistic or feel that the market is glutted or saturated. Acknowledge these concerns and press on. We must know that all markets experience fluctuations and the smart marketers know how to ride these highs and lows and even turn them into an advantage.

The population of the United States, the world, and the statistics associated with online users and future business seekers is still favorable. At the time of this writing there is still a huge untapped market in practically all niches. A huge boon to my business recently is knowing the next big thing or the next wave. What I'm talking about is courting the next evolution of online marketers. Or put more plainly, bridging the offline world with the online world.

This can take place in your own backyard at the local level in your own city or province. This is not to say to ditch all your global efforts and focus only on your town. No, this is the time to introduce your global marketing skills and incorporate them into your online marketing business strategy. This opens up a whole new segment for you to help and benefit from, as well.

The number of businesses that can be helped by you in your town is likely more than you can handle on your own. In other words, there is very little if any competition. You see, many top marketers already have a strong online customer base and they're not tapping into this market. Other web designers and technical services cater to a completely different customer base and rarely see things from a marketing point of view.

This is where you come in. In practically any town of any size there is an endless supply of businesses that you can share your knowledge of marketing online using the free and available platforms you use yourself to market internet related programs and services. For example, a video featuring a local hair salon and blog entry that highlights the specials for that salon with a personal message, discounts, and of course, contact information can bring in customers that were searching online instead of the phone book.

Since there aren't many small businesses going beyond the typical "directoy services" there is very little competition. So, optimizing for these businesses for the search engines is relatively easy. Many large realty companies are doing this, but there are many who need some help. Most business owners are focusing on running their daily operation and just need someone to introduce and assist them with new alternatives of promotion and advertising.

You can start with a phone book just to get ideas. Think of all the lawyers, realtors, insurance agents, painters, and shop owners you can find as new customers. Concentrate on businesses who are open to new ways to market and generate clients, customers, and revenue. Develop relationships that bridge your online and offline interests, this will bring exponential growth.

Identifying Your Market in Your Online Business

As online marketers we are so focused on generating leads and traffic that sometimes we develop tunnel vision. That is not to say that focus isn't important, it is. Not seeing the trees through the forest is a common mistake. Much of what happens in our efforts to generate business is overlooking the ones we can actually help the most.

First, consider your level of expertise, before considering who you're targeting in your marketing. I'm not going to sell Anthony Robbins a course on self improvement, he has reached the pinnacle of that field. However, I may be able to offer him discounted CD distribution, membership in a luxury hotel club for frequent travellers, or the inside scoop on a top company's need for motivational restructuring. These are just examples, of course.

There are plenty of people who want and need what you have if you can identify them. Don't try to hide your level of skill, this will only backfire in the long run. Instead embrace it and specify what your material is, who it is for, and what it can do for that prospect. Trying to cater to "everybody" is pointless. Your own materials may be specifically geared toward beginners, someone who can barely send an email, and that's fine. A top guru will not have the time to give the needed attention to bring a newbie up to speed.

There's a need for training and instruction at many levels that need filling; beginning, intermediate, advanced, and this should be your main concern. Who can benefit from my material? Then plan your marketing strategy accordingly? Marketing to beginners can be very rewarding and lucrative. Too often I see marketers presenting themselves as experts and coaches when their own methods are very basic. There is nothing wrong with not being an expert in all areas of marketing, especially on the internet which is so dependent on the technology itself.

So remember when you are planning your marketing strategy to make clear who the market is and speak to that crowd. I was lured into internet marketing from books and the magazine world. My curiousity was peaked by television and newspaper ads. My drive to succeed was reinforced by listening to the top mentors, but I sought out people more like myself, who had more knowlege than me but were more apt to share their information.

If you take anything from this entry, it would be, not to waste your time trying to sell ice to eskimos. Instead, think in terms of selling water to thirsty desert travellers. You will get much better results and enjoy more success by knowing who your customers are not and especially who they are.