Stop Chasing Influencers

There is an audio version below.

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When I started the journey to build my dream, I was told to connect with an influencer. I was told to add value to them somehow to get their attention. Once I did; they would share who I was and what I was doing with their audience. It would be like the “Oprah effect.”

There were several events I was scheduled to go to where influencers would be; I was excited to meet them in person. There were times when I would mention them in articles in hopes of getting their attention.

I would guess you may have been told and done something similar. The results weren’t what I was expecting. While I did get a polite response, it never went past the formalities. I learned pretty quickly that I wasn’t going to form a relationship or experience the Oprah effect.

Now to be fair, I could have approached building the relationship smarter–that I admit. But, to build my dream, I didn’t need the help of an influencer.

In January, Jared Easley, from Starve the Doubts, and I signed a book deal with Sound Wisdom Books. The deal is for a book we co-wrote called, Stop Chasing Influencers: The True Path to Building Your Business and Living the Dream.

We just got the book back from the publisher as we go through the first round of edits. As I’m reading through the book, so much is jumping out at me. The first half of the book is all about overcoming your mindset obstacles and breaking through any barriers in your way. The second half is pure strategy. We get very specific as to how to build freedom in your work and life without the help of an influencer.

The book isn’t a shot at influencers. I have many heroes I look up to and learn from every day–I’m almost a Dan Miller stalker! The book just says stop spending valuable time chasing when you could be building–and here’s how to build. Throughout the book are stories of ordinary people who built their dream on their own. I’m excited to share this book because chasing influencers has crushed too many dreamers.

The problem with chasing is that MANY other people are chasing as well. Can you imagine how many emails Pat Flynn gets every day? And, most of those will be from people who want to connect with him. When he gets an email from you trying the same thing, it won’t be effective.

You Have What it Takes

Four years ago I didn’t know anything about this online world. I started listening to podcasts while I delivered bread, but I was clueless. Today, I’m fully supported by an online business that I love. The freedom and ability to spend my time the way I want is priceless.

If you look at the online space, you have those at the top (influencers). Those at the bottom (people who are frustrated and in limbo) and people in the middle–where most of us are.

To get to the top, or to the next level (a business that supports us), we don’t need an influencer. The thing that upsets me most is when people get taken advantage of during their frustration. There are too many shady courses and coaches that sell hype. They use vague language to sell ideas that don’t work today like, “Build your expert authority.” While it sounds important, regular people could care less.

People buy from someone they know, like, and trust. The advice you get from these “experts” will have you on a pedestal, which will keep people from getting to a place of starting the buying process in their mind.

While I built this business, I spent over $5,000 on Internet marketing courses that were all hype. I was broke and still made no progress. If I was to do it all again—and what I suggest for you—is to keep it simple.

1. I would put together a simple and clean website. It would be three pages (Home, about, and services). I wouldn’t worry about all the fancy bells and whistles because people aren’t impressed. People connect with the person, NOT the widgets.

2. I would focus on creating great content. My blog posts, podcast episodes, and videos would be the best I could put out there. They would be clear and actionable. I would only put out content that I knew would help people—no fluff.

3. I would create significant premiums offerings. I wasted so much time waiting to sell my stuff. I did affiliate marketing, ads, and a bunch of other things that didn’t make real money. I wasted time and money following all the “expert” advice. I would have just focused on my books and my coaching.

4. I would have focused on what scaled. Writing guest posts and articles for large websites is what brought, and does bring traffic. Look at what one article did last week, my Huffington Post article was shared over 200,000 times in six languages. Last week was an $8,000 week between the book sales, new coaching clients, and new consulting work. Make no mistake; coaching, consulting, and speaking are the quickest ways to make scalable income. You only need a few coaching clients to make real money.

I don’t know where you are. I’m guessing you’re either starting or are frustrated with the progress you’re making while building your dream. Focus on what will help you—not the hype from the “experts.”

Get exposure—I’ve shown you how. Make real relationships with those people. Let them know what you have to offer. That’s how you build a business that creates freedom in your life. Keep it simple. Don’t buy into the hype. You don’t need to chase anyone.

Audio version:

Have you ever chased influencers?