Note From ShoeMoney:This is an entry post for our “What internet Marketers Can Learn From contest“.For making it to the blog this author will receive a Verizon mifi device and even perhaps some extra bonus items as well as a chance to win the grand prize! Submit your entry here
Toddlers aren't exactly known for their business savvy, , but they can be quite educational to watch. Your typical toddler spends a lot of time exploring and figuring out how to do new things. And crying, especially if they're really tired because it's way past naptime. Even so, a lot of what they do can be applied to how you think about your internet marketing business.
1. Tears Don't Solve Anything, But Expressing Your Frustration Can Help
Toddler tears can be funny things. They can be a tool rather than an expression of hurt or exhaustion. Watch any toddler who doesn't realize that someone saw them have a minor fall. Many won't cry, but if they know someone, especially Mommy or Daddy, saw them fall, they'll start wailing. Toddlers also cry when they're completely frustrated with something they're trying to figure out.
Just about any online business owner knows how very frustrating the whole deal can be at times. It's not easy at all. Expressing your frustration can be a help if it's done at the right time. Talk it out with someone who wants to see you succeed, and you might get some great help, or at least a sympathetic ear.
2. If It Looks Like Fun, the Other Kids Will Want It Too
Toddlers aren't that good at sharing. They haven't had time to develop that skill. That means when one kid sees another one having fun with a toy, they'll want it too. The toddler rules do say that if they see it, it's theirs, and it doesn't matter if another child saw or had it first.
This happens a lot in online business. Sometimes that's good, if you're in a business where you can recruit a downline. They see your nice, shiny business and want one of their own or want to buy whatever you're selling.
It can be a bad thing too. All too often when you have a successful online business going, someone will try to take your idea. This can be as blatant as stealing content directly from your website. They don't care that it's your business; they want to make it their own, even if it hurts you.
3. If You Fall Down, Try Again
Toddlers don't have this whole walking, running, jumping thing down perfectly. Sometimes they fall down for no apparent reason at all. Most times, it's just what they do. If it wasn't much of a fall and there's no one rushing in to soothe their tears (present or not), the toddler may get up quickly and keep on playing.
Running an online business can be much the same. You don't always know why your idea failed. Dust yourself off and try again, and you're more likely to succeed the next time. It doesn't matter whether it was an ad campaign that failed or your entire business. The failure may hurt, but you can always try again, learning from your mistakes.
4. Pay No Attention to the People Who Say It Can't Be Done
Parenting a toddler is a difficult thing, especially when the child is on the adventurous side. They're always trying to do things you don't think they're capable of doing. Yet sometimes they make it work, despite the parents trying to stop them for their own good.
If you start your own business, you're going to encounter people who tell you it's never going to work. Sometimes it will be someone so close to you that it's hard to ignore what they're saying. Other times it will be someone you can keep further back from your efforts so that you rarely have to deal with the negativity.
Either way, you can't let them get you down about your chances of running a successful business. Sure, it might not work on the first try, but if you keep trying and learning, eventually you will make it work.
5. Not Everyone Plays Well With Others
If you get a group of toddlers who have figured out a bit of how to play with other kids, you know that there's often one who just doesn't play so well with the other kids as you might hope. I'm talking about the one who is constantly hogging the best toys, knocking over blocks, hitting, screaming, and generally being difficult for the other kids to figure out.
When you have an online business, you'll meet plenty of that sort too. Some people will say horrible things about your business no matter what you do. Some will expect you to give more than is remotely reasonable. Some may even try to directly harm your business for no reason you can understand.
Be prepared for this, especially as you get more successful. Some people seemingly cannot stand the success of others. Don't let them bother you much. What matters is how people see your online business overall, not how a few grumps treat it.
