In our 24/7 interconnected exponentially growing anti-human landscape, being a free agent, entrepreneur or looking for a job can be a tumultuous journey. What most people believe however is that it’s more of an external path, than an internal one. It’s both. Here’s why.
Caught in the zone of marketing mayhem and busy networking, sometimes we don’t take the time to just listen to what our gut is telling us. It’s not that we shouldn’t be connecting with like-minded souls, but not every opportunity is for the taking.
Clarity needs to trump the pangs of insecurity that beckon us to constantly look around every corner in search of the “attention-get.” If we were more confident in our own skills and have aligned our passion with our work; than that which gets in the way of success – will fall away more easily. I’m not suggesting that you don’t have to work hard, and I mean really hard to be an independent contractor, but intense focus accompanied by the internal calm of confidence is a must.
When such calm and focus exists, it feeds clarity and an ability to avoid what doesn’t serve the process of moving forward. Working 24/7 because your competitors do, is not the answer. I could be shot for saying such a thing, but to me that comes from a place of fear. Setting schedules – discipline – and riding out the occasional crisis with a good attitude seems more productive.
Depending on your sector of interest, your experience and approach will differ dramatically. Recently I came across the work of Harold Jarche, of Jarche Consulting. He’s written a detailed analysis of the wisdom he’s gleaned from his experience as a free-agent . His article, So You Want to be an E-Learning Consultant, is written from his perspective, so again it’s a view through his unique lens so mine the nuggets which make sense to you.
In addition to the practical journey of planning, there is what is left to the networking or internet gods to determine – again after you do the work. Just last week I had the opportunity to chat with Internet wildman Alejandro Reyes of Successfool.com. In our discussion, I couldn’t type fast enough as his rapid fire ideas were burning up my keyboard. He’s got some definite ideas about marketing as a free agent. Here are a few of the lessons that Reyes shared:
- Collaborate or die: Reyes believes that 2009 will be a legendary year for Twitter and cross-connecting with social media – off line. He says it’s not just about using social media tools to network, it’s about picking up the phone, talking to people, meeting people and creating live fruitful relationships – face-to-face. Social media he says is just the channel, he spoke of creating thriving relationships with our “tribes” which is a term that he attributes to Marketing guru Seth Godin.
- 95% of business is coming through connections: It’s not just the people you know, it’s who they know and can connect you to. It’s a win-win for everyone. Don’t just depend on direct marketing. The power of the mastermind mentality – constant connection on a human level. Again, building relationships. Because of the economy, he says we might have a tendency to keep our heads in our computers instead of getting out there. He mentions the business building and branding techniques of Internet heavyweight Gary Vaynerchuk as a good role model in this arena.
- It’s imperative to share the load: When you collaborate with people, all the work doesn’t fall on you. You can thrive and learn from each other. Bringing more people on board, if you can, or at least into your mastermind network, will make your brand stronger as they become part of the passion and mission of the business.
- Mentorship, is also a big component for those seeking free agency: With so many out of work this is a good time to check out people, careers and working environments that you had no time to explore in the past. Call in favors. Ask those who know you best for their opinions on your journey and decisions. There is also a great asset in the power of endorsement which is something that marketing wizard Jay Abraham writes about.
- Your brand is your jet, but your passion is your fuel (not sure which guru said this): Stay as close to your god-given gifts as possible. That strength of passion will take you a long way. Essentially you are fired up and adding value to peoples lives with that positive product, experience or wisdom. If you externalize that passion, it will be easier to monetize it.
