The web has become the ultimate market place – everyone wants to sell something.
Some people (let’s call them internet marketers) want to earn huge amounts of money as fast as possible, while others inspire people to challenge the status quo and lead an independent life (let’s call them digital crusaders).
The elite of both factions earn a full-time living from their digital presence, but they do it in entirely different ways.
A digital crusader has the potential of becoming a world famous A-list blogger with a raving fan base.
By the end of this article, you will know
A) What separates a crusader from a marketer
B) How YOU can become a crusader
Before we jump straight into the battle, let me introduce my favorite digital crusaders. They both make a full-time income from their blogs.
- Chris Guillebeau
Chris is one of my all-time favorites – his blog design is the most mind-blowing I have EVER seen and his message is an inspiring mix between traveling, living and working – the non-conformist style.
He’s got a RAVING fan base, receives about 35 – 80 comments per post (!) and inspires people around the globe.
From a personal branding perspective, he’s doing EVERYTHING right.
- Everett Bogue
Everett is quite a new player – his blog is only 7 months, but captured already over 3000 (!) subscribers.
He writes about minimalistic living and making meaningful connections.
From a marketing perspective, he’s a cool brand.
His unique style is consistent throughout his web presence: The writing is concise, and the blog design is kept very simple – minimalism deluxe ;)
Now let us begin:
What separates a marketer from a crusader ?
kick-ass image by jiazi
1. Don’t call yourself an internet marketer
Chris and Everett call themselves status quo challengers, revolutionaries and minimalists. They obviously don’t lack self-confidence, but they also know what’s captivating. Strong and inspiring titles thrill people, and magically attract those who share the same belief.
Lesson: Give yourself a title that represents what you stand for or believe in. A marketer is what you do, a minimalist is what you believe.
2. Be on a mission
Internet Marketers worry about making money online, and ONLY about making money online. Their about page usually goes like this:
I make a full-time income from my online business – a whopping 100,000 (!) per month. Subscribe to my newsletter and get a FREE tutorial (worth 97$) !
Digital Crusaders don’t follow the money – their life’s about challenging the status quo and leading a life of freedom – they are on a MISSION !
- Chris – how to change the world by achieving significant, personal goals while helping others at the same time.
- Everett – about living a simple minimalist lifestyle and freeing yourself from the cycle of consumerism.
Lesson: Internet marketers define themselves by what they DO, digital crusaders define themselves by what they BELIEVE and WHY they do it.
3. Give your products and services inspiring names
Internet Marketers name their products after their functions – producing ebooks with titles like “How to make 1000 dollars online”, “How to generate 500 leads per day” or “How to create insane amounts of traffic – on complete autopilot !”
Those headlines feel very “scammy” by now and only address the logical part of your brain – the weak part.
Digital Crusaders on the other hand never call their ebooks “ebooks”:
- Chris – The Empire Building Kit
- Everett – The Art of Being Minimalist
The difference is gigantic. Words like “Empire building” and “Being Minimalist” sound not only inspiring and motivating, but also address the emotional part of your brain – the dominant part.
Lesson: Don’t name your product after its function, but what it stands for. Making money online is a function, working anywhere you want, whenever you want is a lifestyle.
4.Write about the whole, and make it personal
Marketers work efficiently and logically: Their copy is based on effective writing that wants to make you buy. It’s very specific and can be very clever, but it lacks personal flavor most of the time.
Crusaders rather write about the whole – they let their personal stories and adventures flow into their posts. You will barely get specifics (how to do this) or technical stuff (how to install…)from them – it’s an overall experience they want to share with you, and it can create a deep bond between you and them.
Lesson: Don’t (only) write technical instructions – blend in your views of life and share your personal stories – it can establish a deep emotional connection.
conclusion:
If we are brutally honest, both types do basically the same:
They teach you how to make money online
The way they do it is totally different – marketers address your logic while crusaders connect with your emotions.
It’s all about perception – the illusion that’s manifested in our consciousness.
Internet Marketers can make insane amounts of money, but they’ll never have raving fans or leave a legacy. Digital Crusaders on the other hand inspire thousands around the world and make a nice living, but will probably never be rich.
What’s your take ?
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