There’s been a pretty interesting series on TV the last few weeks. In fact, it’s only about half way through. The series is called, “America, The Story Of Us” and it’s on the History Channel. It’s been a fascinating series to watch and it looks to continue that way.
Have you ever heard the saying, “history repeats itself”? Well, today I found myself contemplating this.
A recent segment of the show was a look back at the Gold Rush of 1849 in California. When gold was discovered back then a huge migration began. Estimates say that 300,000 people headed to California in hopes of striking it rich.
Many came from the East. In wagon trains and on foot. Many also came by sea. People from other countries. All had the same desire, to strike it rich.
Sadly, many of these people never accomplished their dream. Many died along the way or in the process of mining for gold.
Yes, some struck it rich. Some found gold but only enough to break even. The California Gold Rush had a huge economic impact on the world.
If many of the prospectors never struck it rich, then who did?
The people who really benefited and made significant wealth during the Gold Rush were the people selling picks and shovels!
The people that benefited most were those that provided a service to all the gold miners looking to strike it rich.
The shop owner selling mining equipment. The saloon keeper. The restaurants and hotels. The brothels. Many women profited in this economic time by providing a service that a man would pay for. Laundry, cooking and yes, prostitution.
Is history about to repeat itself?
Think about this… there is a huge boom in online marketing right now. Everyone believes that you can “strike it rich” online today.
More and more people are jumping onboard to find their “goldmine”. The social sites are exploding with new users. More businesses are looking to Facebook and Twitter to grow their business.
It seems like everyone is starting a blog these days…including myself. Tribe Syndication and Blogging Alliances are the latest buzz. Competition is getting very fierce.
The sad thing is that many of these people will not find their fortune online. They’ll work the mine for awhile but when repeated attempts to strike it rich fail they’ll become a casualty of this “gold rush”.
Absolutely, there are many who will strike it rich. Many already have. Don’t become a casualty.
Why not be one of the service providers to the many online gold diggers? Follow history and the lessons it teaches us. Develop your own “picks and shovels” and provide them to masses coming his way.
Become a service provider. Provide good tools to aid those in their search with the right equipment that will move them closer to achieving their goal of striking it rich.
One way is to develop your own product or service. Another way is to share the tools you’ve used that have advanced you on your journey.
Here a few of the “picks and shovels” that I’ve used and that have really helped me. They can significantly reduce your learning curve and aid you in moving forward.
The Empowered Tribe and the Tribe Mastery Intensive. Their recent course is closed but they are planning great things for the future. Be sure to check them out so you’ll be notified when this happens.
The Empowered Tribe recently launched a new blog service. Save yourself time, energy and frustration by getting your blog up and running with all the tools you’ll need for SEO and syndication. This can literally save you months and hundreds of dollars and will have you ready to reap the tribe syndication rewards.
Profit Being You is about to start a 6 week blogging intensive course. Link. Here you can learn from 2 of the best in the industry the latest techniques for successful online marketing. You will learn how to maximize your blog and the social sites to put you light years ahead of the other prospectors.
Don’t be a bust in the online “gold rush”. Develop your own “picks and shovels” or use someone else’s. This is just one way to to take advantage of the lessons history has taught us.
If you found value in this please share it and pass it along. I truly appreciate your support.
Until next time…Go out and Live Your Best Life!
Hi Don,
This is an excellent comparison. I was just using the very same metaphor in a piece I was writing about online marketing and the “rush” so many are experiencing these days as they look to stake their claim and strike it rich online. Obviously, history IS repeating itself! And your point about developing tools and services that help the miners is spot on. I love your suggestions, and believe that is where the real money will made for most.
Thank you for sharing this powerful insight!
Mary Lou
.-= Mary Lou Kayser´s last blog ..How to Be an Online Hall-of-Famer (It’s Easier than You Think…) =-.
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Hi Don,
What a terrific comparison you have made here between the California Gold Rush of 1849 and the current frenzy of online entrepreneurs trying to “stake our claims” and find our own gold. History does indeed repeat itself because human nature does not change. Your point about creating useful tools and services for all the miners online is excellent. I am with you all the way on this — more money will be made through this venue than in any other for the business people who create things that solve problems for the “miners.”
Thank you for your insights!
Mary Lou
.-= Mary Lou Kayser´s last blog ..How to Be an Online Hall-of-Famer (It’s Easier than You Think…) =-.
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Don Reply:
May 11th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Thanks Mary Lou,
It takes a real entrepreneur to recognize the “gold” that’s all around them and find a way that helps others. It’s the creativity that they bring that finds a solution that seems to appear out of nowhere.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Don, I love the analogy! I often see it that way. Everyone seems to be trying to rush! When in actuality, we need all our tools, a good plan and other people to learn from. We all have our own individual maps to get there, but it is not a rush in as much as it is a process. Savor the process, learn and give as much as you can. But most of all, we cannot get caught up in stopping in our tracks building blogs, setting up systems. Leave that to the experts and know that is part of our tools!
Thanks for sharing such good advice.
-Donna
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Don Reply:
May 11th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Donna,
There certainly is a “rush” going on right now. I agree with you in that this is a process and it’s a journey. A good solid plan will make it far easier to find that vein of “gold” then to just randomly strike.
If you look around you can see evidence of this online. People running over here, then over there. Joining this, then that. Have you seen it too?
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Great ideas, Don.
Certainly there’s a lot of room for success online. Whether you strike gold, or service those who do, we can all look forward to a great deal of success… IF we work hard, work smart, and ally ourselves with those mentors and other professionals who can help us move forward.
As for competition… the more the better. It only reaffirms that we’re on the right road. After all, there wouldn’t be a pizza corner on every corner unless pizza was a winning product. The idea is NOT to avoid competition, but to see what they’re doing, and do it better.
Thanks for sharing some great insight Don!
.-= David Merrill´s last blog ..Building Your MLM Downline with Social Media =-.
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Don Reply:
May 11th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
David,
I love your idea…”Build a better Mouse Trap”! Many people have made the fortune with this one concept alone.
Thanks for sharing that.
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Don this is such a great post. There are so many people that will come online and not make a single dollar. There are those who will sell tools to all the new people coming online and will make a fortune. There are also those of us who will make money selling great tools, offering valuable training, and marketing core products. The key is to educate yourself, pick your plan of attack and then implement the attack.
Thanks for sharing.
.-= Scott Scales´s last blog ..What the heck is a Focused DMO? =-.
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aaahhh – You are so right on with this one Don! So many online marketers are looking for that overnight stardom and the makings of a millionaire! I think it is because when you first come online – all you see are the promises of becoming wealthy overnight with little or no effort. The only people becoming successful are those guys making those promises and collecting money from those unsuspecting “want to be” entrepreneurs.
.-= Glyna Humm´s last blog ..Why are you REALLY Blogging? =-.
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Don,
What an awesome post you have here. It is so true that the people that provided the tools back than were the real winners. With the knowledge we have been given we to can provide the tools of the day. That is so cool!
Bill
.-= Bill Hartman´s last blog ..The Little Things =-.
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Awesome Don!
I like the analogy of the Gold Rush to Internet Marketing. I know when the internet first became popular, people rushed in to build & create websites for people. Then the technology became common place & lots of people lost out.
Yes, blogging is a great way to build a potential base, but I am so glad you provided such great resources for people to utilize. This will give them a base of knowledge that will sustain them in thier business ventures.
Thanks for sharing this,
Val
.-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Along The Path of Self Discovery… =-.
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Hi Don, You bring to light some very important points in this comparison. My take away from what you share here is the importance of providing value and being of service to others. There is a lot of “Gold” in being able to offer solutions to challenges/problems. “Serve” your way to success. Thanks for sharing!
~Kara
.-= Kara Grabenhorst´s last blog ..MUST See Tips For Blog Security =-.
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Don, This is analogy is rich in truth and thank you for offering resources and advice that will aid modern day Gold Rushers in establishing their own “service.” You point out very understandably that there are lots of ways to create an income by serving those around you and solving their problems. Thanks Don for your insight.
.-= Val Haderlie´s last blog ..Making Room for Miracles (Part 1) =-.
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Hey Don
A great post. I have been working from home for 5 years now and still do not do it very well. I liked the tip to shut down the browser as my greatest distraction comes from there!
Thanks again
Sue
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Don Reply:
June 4th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Hi Sue,
I’m glad you found something valuable that you can use here. My biggest battle is sticking to the plan and not getting sidetracked which can eat up precious time.
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Hi Don,
Wat a great Comparison you made!! Through this post you have given a wonderful suggestion to all of us..Thank You Don..
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