Nathan Hangen

Interesting – we helped a local business association here by setting them up a blog on our server. They've just asked me if I'll come and talk to their members about social media, which is exciting, but scary – not for the talk, which I'll enjoy giving, but because I suspect it will lead to a whole load of offers to do work for them, which I don't want to do.

But this has given me an idea – find the right partner online, who does want to take on this kind of work, and strike a deal! Thanks!

Yep, the work can suck, but the truth is that our skills are extremely valuable outside our own crowded space. What you mentioned would work, as would finding new ways to market courses and seminar material.

There are lots of people interested in internet. On the other side the internet experts that frequently know the tools but don´t open the bridge, they just open their internet door (website, blog, etc) and wait for their clients to come. If those clients are not used to use internet, how are they going to reach them?.
The first step is open the bridge, knock some doors, go to the real world.
But the next is important too: Understand the client needs and how all those tools can help them. Very often we try to sell anything we sell to anyone, they need it or not.
And it's not just about tools, it´s organization, management, etc We must have more skills than tools. “It´s not the gun. it´s the man behind the gun”.
Have a nice day!

It's honestly really scary how many local business owners don't know anything about blogs, using the Internet to market, social media etc…

I know why they don't initially, the typical scenario of “I don't have the time to learn that stuff” etc…and what's really cool is it really only takes a short conversation to enlighten them to the possibilities (not a sales pitch, you don't need it). They want someone to “do it for them” as they say…and if you're that person, it's almost an untapped market (still).

It really is just a matter of “opening the bridge” as Samuel mentioned.

I've honestly never thought of this (outside of helping out organizations I'm a member of). I know a lot of people could use help, and I could probably help even with my own still quite limited skills.

Great food for thought. I think I'll start looking into opportunities today.

Excellent idea. But that would mean I would have to leave the house. lol It's so true though, there are tons of businesses that want to make the leap into cyberspace, just don't know how. The problem is, convincing them to spend the real bucks to take that leap.

Good point, I got the feeling you were talking about me 6 months ago. I still have a lot to learn and a big thank you to you and all the others that have helped. My problem is when I try to explain what I am attempting to do ( Rule the world ), “the Real worlds” eyes start to glass over and they seem to be hearing but but listening. I will continue but I do not know how far I will get with them.

Totally agree with the above. One thing I'm struggling with – is it worth the time to develop business that isn't scalable?

I'm just starting out in the whole blogging thing, and I know I have a lot to offer the “real world, small business” demographic. At the same time, I'm reading a lot of horror stories about how “becoming a consultant is rough” and “spend your time developing stuff that's scaleable.”

Right now for me, the one-on-one work with small businesses would be a welcome source of work – it'd help me get out of the 9-530 that is my current situation. But on the other hand I don't want to be the dude who got burned out consulting.

Thoughts? Epiphanies? Am I overthinking it? My blog is all about just going for it and taking action and chasing your dreams…

Thanks for sharing this Nathan. I think often times we take our skills for granted. Blogging teaches us the basics of HTML or uploading pictures. We should never discount our own talents just because there are others that are more talented than us. One day we may find ourselves in the position where we have to teach people how to set up and use a blog; that's why it's important to constantly build upon these skills and be prepared for any opportunity that arises.

That's a good point actually Nathan; I think I'm guilty of overlooking the offline world as well. I'll admit that the idea of public speaking and seminars isn't exactly my cup of tea (I can do it, and enjoy it at the time, but the thought of it is a bit nerve-wracking), but it might be something worth looking into for all that.

Thanks!

This is great -been thinking the same…tho' I'm only a 3 now. RT @nhangen: You have marketable skills – share them http://bit.ly/9FQREj

#Webrepreneur The Real World Needs You Too: We content providers are an amazing bunch.
We master .. http://bit.ly/bNcQMC

RT @nhangen: #Webrepreneur The Real World Needs You Too: We content providers are an amazing bunch.
We master .. http://bit.ly/bNcQMC

That's good advice, because I tend to “blend out” the real world for the sake of the internet.
But in the area where I live, nobody really cares about the importance of the web. Most people here don't know about the importance of it and don't want to know !
Can't change a person who doesn't want to change

Great post by @nhangen: http://bit.ly/aqHPG2

the real world needs you too http://bit.ly/aqHPG2

RT @nhangen: the real world needs you too http://bit.ly/aqHPG2

RT @nhangen: the real world needs you too http://bit.ly/aqHPG2

RT @nhangen: the real world needs you too http://bit.ly/aqHPG2

Nathan,

This is a great point that really needs to be hit home. One thing I've realized is that you can get many loyal readers and followers by interacting with people in the real world. Yesterday, I attended an event for the social media club here in LA. My immediate thought was that I should volunteer for the social media club because it would connect me to alot of interesting people. All towns are full of opportunities like that. If you live in a small town, then you can start the chapter of the social media club for your town. Think about the amount of connections to small business owners and people who might be potential customers that would lead you to. Good stuff in this post

In my rural community I got a reputation for being able to fix computers (probably because I'd managed to break so many of my own!) and most repairs were so simple that I never bothered charging money for it. Bottles of wine and champagne were left on my doorstep, the local butcher's wife left a week's worth of meat and a local builder made me a wood store, among others.

After a while I noticed that the requests started to drop off so I asked one of the villagers in the pub if I had offended anyone and apparently the reason people stopped asking me to help is because they felt awkward that I didn't charge.

The real world can be a weird place at times!

I think you're right in part. Understanding the client's needs is certainly a critical aspect of the equation, but in some cases, we also have to educate them on their needs.

I know, it's astonishing. Talk to the owner of a local coffee shop or restaurant and most of them don't even have a website, let alone understand social media and blogging.

As soon as you open your mouth and start speaking, they're in awe and you're given expert status.

It's certainly a great way to earn some extra cash in order to fund the rest of your business ventures.

haha, yeah, I feel you there.

I don't think the problem is convincing them…I think it's finding them and reaching out.

Well, you can change your pitch to match the context that they understand.

Teach them how to take their business 2.0…email campaigns, reaching more customers, etc.

Well, it depends on your situation. In the short term, if you are struggling for cash…absolutely.

If your business is already on solid ground, then find a way to box up what you know and sell it as a package.

You're never married to concepts/products beyond that.

Absolutely we do.

HTML and CSS is like a foreign language to most people. Hell, a lot of the people I talk to still think you use Front Page to create websites…manually code, etc. Sure, you can do that, but it's not very efficient.

The key is to be confident and realize how valuable your skill set is to the real world.

I am too…mostly because it's just easier to sit at my desk and type out ebooks and blog posts. Still, the ROI is much higher and the experience is invaluable.

That's true…but you can always find real world clients in other parts of the world using your web skills and Google Fu

Exactly. You are proof of this right? You landed some great cash in the “offline” world.

I'm also starting to engage these local communities, hold webinars, and speak when I'm invited. Great way to build a grassroots movement.

haha, yes…so true. That's another great point though…your PC skills are mad scientist level to everyone else, so make sure to charge what you're worth. That way, they feel like they're helping you, and you're doing them a service in turn.

Hey Nathan,
You posts always seem to show up at the right time!
I've actually been doing this for a while (locally)- but haven't marketed it much because I get most of my business via the web and wasn't sure how to proceed (how much can one person do?).
Through a local chamber meeting I met a new business partner that wants to market/sell to local businesses (love what I do – don't want to be 'in the field') while I work from home (now with outsourcers too) managing things and STILL building my blog/own products.

My point…my intent on joining the local Chamber of Commerce was to share this with people….I had NO idea this partnership would come from it and it's been a BLESSING! We're going to be holding a live event in town in 4 weeks (explaining online marketing, websites, blogging, social media, etc.).

Thanks for the post….was a little validation to what we're doing!

The Real World Needs You Too by @nhangen | http://bit.ly/apKNf2 #business #success

I could definitely see why it would be; as a question, when did you first start speaking at seminars and so on? What was it like?

Serendipity in effect

That's an awesome story. It's something that is so simple, yet people are scared to try. I'm guessing everyone was foaming at the mouth when you started speaking “blogger talk?”

Well, I've only done a little speaking, but I'm booked for a few engagements this year…some of them much bigger, so it'll be interesting.

I make a lot of video, which prepares me for talking without interruption and being somewhat entertaining, but it does take work. Still, if you're afraid of public speaking, webinars w/ Craiglist are a great option.

Great, thanks for the pointers Nathan, and best of luck with your engagements… I'm sure you'll do great.

Hi Nathan,
I realize how amazing and talented I am …. I'm just wondering if my readers know!

RT @nhangen The Real World Needs You Too http://bit.ly/a8OFtT

Nathan,

This is very interesting. Through a set of co-incidences several weeks ago (which we know are never co-incidental) I am now in “talks” with a local business re social media marketing – the blogging I can do, but today I am off for a two day intensive on twitter, facebook and You Tube! BTW … the subject that I will be writing about is something I have always been super interested in. They want someone who does not know the bz. because they want a fresh outlook!!!

So there is room even for non-experts!

If they don't, then you should make it a priority to show them that you are

Awesome story, and another case of serendipity

Keep Kicking Butt

Thanks for the response. I'm starting to think going after the local (or online) consulting opportunities would be the way for me to get out of the day-job for now. Plus after a few of those, I'm sure I'll have more expertise and knowledge to put into a product.

Awesome post as usual Nathan. Good things to think about. It really is quite simple. Find what you are good at, whether it is just a hobby or a passion or part of your business and figure out a way to spread your knowledge to those outside of the loop/offline and make money doing it! Ding, two birds killed with one stone and all the better off because of it.

Awesome post as usual Nathan. Good things to think about. It really is quite simple. Find what you are good at, whether it is just a hobby or a passion or part of your business and figure out a way to spread your knowledge to those outside of the loop/offline and make money doing it! Ding, two birds killed with one stone and all the better off because of it.