chrisbrogan.com - Latest Comments in The Optional World

Re: The Optional World

Jess K. — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:17:15 -0000

Oooooh More great food for thought! This is probably why I'm currently on hiatus from my blog! Instead of 'beating people with it', I want to know what it is I can offer. Keep 'em coming back for something they cant get elsewhere. But what that is, I need to find out before I keep pumping more junk.

Also: great idea for the new year in moving on from things that no longer serve you. Something, I find, that holds back too many people from achieving their potential.

Re: The Optional World

Likke — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:12:24 -0000

Just bothered -

You (in this case, the consumer of things) has all the power.

should be

You (.....) HAVE all the power.

But interesting post still. Especially when it's posted by you. :)

Re: The Optional World

Patricia — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:28:23 -0000

I truly learned something new here and that is important to me. I have always tried to see who was on my payroll and what I was opting into...I miss lots of times, and then find recovery.
Walmart employees are on my payroll for their real health insurance in my location and we pay lots of taxes to cover them - whereas poor children and military children just got canceled for their health care...so how do I opt out of Walmart and assist the children with real needs?

If I follow Suze Orman's plan to not eat in a restaurant for a month, how do I help Juan or Matthew's local eateries stay in business?

I see I need to build community around our architecture firm so that the local and state folks don't always turn to the big city and large firms for the best and greenest designs.

So how do I get trial solar panels for my house? How do I get to review new wind powered home energy systems? and write a review...?
I write about 40 book reviews a year and no one is paying me? Truly How do I do this? How do I prepare and educated myself and others?
I want to know

Re: The Optional World

Erika Napoletano — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:23:43 -0000

One thing that we try to do at our company is respect our opt-in subscribers to the nth degree. When they get email from us, it's important, exciting news, not spammy-spam-spam that clutters up their day. I consider each of our client's inboxes and patronage the same I would expect any business I frequent to look at mine: respect time, business and most of all, my inherent lack of desire to engage in any BS :)

Re: The Optional World

Gebadia Smith — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:05:14 -0000

Is google opt in? Are the cookies that track every movement opt in? Do you use web analytics on your blog? Is that opt in meaning I have to give you permission to see if I came to this blog? Somethings in life are opt in and others are not.

And walking away is not always the right thing to do when you don't like something...sometimes you need to stand up and say this is wrong...

Re: The Optional World

the famous nemo — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:54:28 -0000

I love Walmart!!!

Re: The Optional World

Rain — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:38:31 -0000

http://www.walmartmovie.com/

Before I watched the film, I told myself, "well, it wont' tell me anything I don't know, and I doubt I'll stop shopping there" . . .

then I saw it. haven't stepped foot in a Wal-mart since.

your airplane buddy didn't tell you how many of their locations are NOT paying taxes in the cities they are building in.

Re: The Optional World

Jim Dupre and Denise Barone — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:47:58 -0000

We have recently been introduced to your presence through Doug Firebaugh...
you are to the point, yet still from more than one view point and best of all, leads to thoughts and action...
blessings

Re: The Optional World

Ted Chandler — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:48:27 -0000

Great post, Chris. Especially the last tidbit about beating your opt in listers over the head. I always have a tough time with 'filtering' my intentions when sending out messages to my opt-in list. I always have to stop and ask myself what is the value - for them - not me. It's tough sometimes. thanks for the post.

Re: The Optional World

Ron — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:07:08 -0000

Yes, it is really hard when you are being successful with something, but there is a stigma around it.

Walmart has a stigma

MLM Products have a stigma

Internet Marketers have a stigma

Lawyers, IRS, City Government.....

It is good that people can move on. It is sad when some people create a stigma that spoils it for other people that want to support something they like but are afraid to.

Re: The Optional World

Tom O'Brien — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:42:51 -0000

Chris - nice post. Years ago when I worked at NutraSweet we had a PR ephiphany. Stop arguing with people about whether NutraSweet is safe or not - the science is crystal clear - and just say it is a choice. This changed everything.

WalMart strikes me the same way. It is a choice. Everything we put our attention to is a choice. Choose the light!

TO'B

Re: The Optional World

Lizz Harmon — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:30:37 -0000

Chris, this is one of the most important blog posts I've read in a long time. In PR, we always teach that brevity is key. You said it succinctly, yet drove home your point. I love that "or are you beating them with it?" Impactful piece. Thank you.

Re: The Optional World

Hendry Lee — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:27:25 -0000

It's amazing how the Web is more about choices nowadays. People choose to subscribe or leave. Not only that, they not only choose from whom it come from, but in which format or channel they like.

I think that sums up Web 2.0.

Re: The Optional World

Jim — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:19:01 -0000

but what about fixing things (vs fixating?)... I bet if you showed signs of being a Wal*Mart hater, your fellow traveller would have tried to convince you otherwise (because he has commitment, passion, perseverance) - he wouldnt have just walked away from you (especially at 30,000ft).... maybe we should all opt in to a few of the things we can make better!!!

Re: The Optional World

Amy — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:54:54 -0000

Great point. Taking responsibility for the path we take is key.

thanks for this message.

Re: The Optional World

CGabriel — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:56:08 -0000

The Optional World certainly extends well beyond the parameters of any work environment. To wit...

Here in Minneapolis, I constantly hear people bemoaning the cold of winter...the snow...the absolute horror of it all. "I am so sick of the cold...I have had it with shoveling snow...why do I live here?"

Exactly. Why DO you live here? Living in Minnesota, one understands it's the Land of 10,000 Breeds of Mosquitoes in the summer -- snow, sleet and ice in the winter. If you have any issues with either extreme - and the winter complainers are generally the ones doing the same in the summer - you have a choice....you have an option...

You can move.

Re: The Optional World

Ninja — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:13:03 -0000

“…always keep in mind that a path is only a path; if he feels that he should not follow it, he must not stay with it under any conditions. His decision to keep on that path or to leave it must be free of fear or ambition. He must look at every path closely and deliberately....‘Does this path have a heart?'’”
- Carlos Castaneda circa 1960

Re: The Optional World

Henie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:19:05 -0000

Exactly! Choices are always synaptic. Pity not everyone is aware of this.

Thanks for this post.

On another note, I am a novice blogger having fun while learning, but it can get overwhelming at times, especially if you don't know what you're doing quite yet. Is there a book or convention that you would recommend? Much appreciated.

Re: The Optional World

MLDina — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:12:40 -0000

I think I may have to start watching faces every time I mention a certain company or brand to gauge reactions. While I realize that's not the main point of your post, it's a good idea!

Re: The Optional World

Nathan Kam — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:29:05 -0000

Chris, couldn't agree with you more. We need more positive energy in the world right now and what you've said here is a great reminder on how we can all do that. Aloha!

Re: The Optional World

TStrump — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:20:21 -0000

So true - I have the option of waking up early each morning and being more productive, but I just can't seem to drag my ass out of bed.
I think what happens is, we start to believe that we don't have options and that we're stuck.

Re: The Optional World

David Porter — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:37:40 -0000

Chris,

Blog Tag! Your it:

http://www.boomerinthepew.c...

Re: The Optional World

Michael Daniel — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:45:39 -0000

In some ways I agree, our opt-in life is too short to be fixating on the stuff we hate... but what about the stuff we want to like, but can't because some part of the system (cable installer sleeping on a couch, super-box store with questionable employee-rights policies, super Christmas present for the kid that comes missing parts) is broken???

Re: The Optional World

Craig — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:42:20 -0000

This whole world now is all about options, you nailed it. People today wants options, they want to be able to customize, they want to feel like you are doing everything you can for them, that they are your only customer. And why shouldn't they.

Re: The Optional World

Pheak Tol — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:52:56 -0000

good observation, i think im going to start observing more during conversations with people i bump into to see what type of signals they sending out with their facial expressions or body language

I always felt like i get beated on by marketers who try to emboss a product or service into me, but lately, things have changed.

good post Chris!