It’s been a week since I returned home from Wembley Stadium, having watched my beloved Cardiff City lose to Blackpool in what was possibly the biggest match of the club’s history.
Victory would have propelled the Bluebirds into the Premier League where they could have mixed it with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool on a weekly basis – they even took the lead twice but still managed to lose 3-2.
As I trudged back to the supporter’s bus after the final whistle, my mind clouded by alcohol and disappointment, I thought the experience would make a great blog post.
There are more similarities between internet marketing and supporting Cardiff City than you may think – here are five of them:
1. People Will Laugh at You (Until You Become Successful!)
When I was in school during the early to mid 1990s, Cardiff City were a shocking football team that yo-yoed between the bottom two divisions every season in front of 1,500 crowds. In those days we classed the likes of Brentford, who would usually turn us over at our antiquated Ninian Park stadium, as a “big club”.
Very few people at school would openly admit to supporting their local team and those that did were ridiculed. That was until flamboyant chairman Sam Hammam became involved and the cash flowed like a running tap.
Millions of pounds were spent on the likes of Graham Kavanagh and Peter Thorne. We beat Leeds United, then sat proudly at the top of the Premiership, in the FA Cup in 2002 and then won promotion from the second division to the first (renamed League One and the Championship when Coca Cola took over sponsorship duties) in 2003. In 2008 the club defied the odds to reach the FA Cup Final.
This season Cardiff enjoyed an average attendance of over 20,000 as we came within 90 minutes of top flight football and took almost 40,000 “fans” to Wembley Stadium.
The same thing will happen to you when you let slip that you “dare” want to try and improve your life through making money online.
You will be laughed at by your family and friends who, despite their lack of experience in this field, will try to convince you it will never work and that it’s all a scam.
That is, until you start to make some money, then a lot of money. Then you quit your job because it “gets in the way”. Then you move into a bigger house and buy a faster car.
Nobody is laughing now (except you) and suddenly everyone is showing an interest in what you do
2. Everything Feels Like an Uphill Battle
Having watched Cardiff City for the past 15 years I don’t think I have ever once sat through a whole match and thought “that was easy” at the end – even if the scoreline suggested a comfortable victory.
For example, why on earth, in 15 years of watching the team, can we not defend corners if our lives depended on it? Regardless of what season I watched, no matter who played for us in goal, defence and whoever was in charge at the time, there would be a massive panic among both supporters and players alike every time the opposition were given a corner.
Also, what is so hard about defending a lead until the final whistle? I have lost count of the times we have snatched a draw from the jaws of victory because the opposition scored four, five, six or more minutes into added time.
Even a goalkeeper scored against us on Boxing Day in 2008 for goodness sakes…
Then there’s the off-the-field problems. Going bust. Not going bust. Being taken over. Not being taken over. The likes of Rick Wright, Samesh Kumar, Sam Hammam and Peter Ridsdale being involved at board room level.
Oh yes, we certainly attract them…
You will find you are often swimming against the tide or fighting fires at the very least when you become involved in internet marketing. It’s not the routine home victory over the bottom-of-the-table side you thought it would be.
You need to learn technical stuff, like installing blogs, a bit of coding, maybe some graphic design – or pay someone to take it off your hands. Then there’s content creation, lead generation and marketing.
Yes, you have to actually know about “marketing” to be an internet marketer – the sales don’t make themselves.
Your biggest enemy as an internet marketer is time – there simply are not enough hours in the day to get everything done by yourself.
3. Sparkling Facilities Do Not Equal Success
For years Cardiff managers have blamed a lack of on-field success on inadequate training facilities. It’s not enough to just have an empty field to practice on for today’s professionals, or so the management would have you believe.
But then the team were allowed to train at the world-class Celtic Manor resort just 15 minutes away from the stadium and guess what – success still wasn’t forthcoming.
It’s hardly a football-haven at Blackpool and they mustered up enough to beat us at Wembley and claim their position in the Premiership.
A swanky training ground does not an ambitious and hungry football team make.
You may now have all the kit to kick-start your internet marketing career. Your blog, complete with all the Web 2.0 bells and whistles has been set up. You have your autoresponder and professionally written follow up sequence. You have slaved over a product and spent thousands of dollars on a copywriter.
Now it’s time to sit back and count the cash as it rolls in. Right? RIGHT?
If only – a professional online image is only half the battle.
You need to get out there and hustle, the online equivalent of training outside in the rain on a muddy pitch. Make connections, forge JV partnerships and get your name and product out there using any online method you can.
4. Glory Hunting is Rife
As you may have guessed from my first comparison, hardly anybody supported Cardiff City at school.
Back in the early 1990s, scores of young lads with jumpers for goalposts were idolising the likes of Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona and Robbie Fowler. I doubt they’d ever heard of Phil Stant, Cohen Griffith or Jason Perry.
Even before the Premiership was anything like the money-laden circus it has become now, the football-mad kids at school all supported the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool. There were even more Leeds supporters in my year than Cardiff. In South Wales! Unbelievable.
Things haven’t progressed much since I was in school. Your average “armchair” fan has no interest in actually “going” to the football.
They’d rather just sit at home and support whoever is top of the league.
It’s the same in internet marketing. The majority of folks trying to make money online will be drawn to the “guru’s” and worship them with celebrity status.
They will not be interested in how you managed to make your first $1, $100 or even $1,000 online. They want to earn millions and they want to earn it yesterday.
They will lap up every promo email they receive and spend thousands on products which don’t live up to the hype.
This does not mean all is lost. When you first start out you will have to fight tooth and nail for every subscriber, every customer.
But, as your success grows people will be drawn to you more because you are real, accessible and have battled through the frustrations most newcomers face.
5. I Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way
There’s something strangely masochistic about supporting Cardiff City. I can’t even say I “enjoy” going to watch them.
Well, not very often anyway. An afternoon at the stadium is often a frustrating and disappointing experience with the occasional delirious high thrown in for good measure.
I don’t know how many times I have returned home mentally exhausted after watching a game.
But, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am proud to say I have watched Cardiff battle their way through the divisions and I go because I care.
I also care about what I do on my blog.
I don’t mind the “struggle” for recognition and to make money online. I don’t mind the late nights, the constant battle against the clock and the complete lack of any sort of safety net.
But what’s the alternative to supporting Cardiff City and running an online business?
Not doing it?
No thanks…
Quality post once again my friend and very true!
As you know I’m a Leeds United season ticket holder so I know exactly what you mean with an uphill battle – there’s nothing quite like travelling miles on a rainy, cold Tuesday evening to watch your team loose to Walsall at home!
Thought of number 6. Investing in false prophets:
Spending money on a course to ensure your future success from a self proclaimed “guru” or an “expert” who only disappoints because it was all hype and they really know nothing is a bit like giving your season ticket money to a certain Mr Ridsdale.
Hope you enjoyed your day out a Wembley even though the results wasn’t right – again something as a Leeds fan I know too well! We’ll leave out any Blackpool related jokes – it just wasn’t your day this time – instead save the banter for the 6 points we’ll take off you next season!!!
Speak soon mate,
Rob
p.s. “There were even more Leeds supporters in my year than Cardiff” <– That's no surprise, it's just good sense and a testament to the Welsh education system
.-= **RJB**´s last blog ..The Super Sneaky “How To Get Over 1.3 Million Safelist Credits In 3 Days” System =-.
Hey Rob,
I didn’t think it would take long for you to respond to a footy-related blog post!
I could have carried on writing this post for days but thought I had better stop at five otherwise it would be too long.
Your suggestion for #6 is great, I may save it for my “5 More Reasons…” follow up post sometime in the near future, probably when we lose our first game of the season against a real powerhouse like Scunthorpe or Barnsley (again).
Seriously, school was shocking for football supporting. It was though there was an “anyone but Cardiff” policy for most of the kids there, apart from the few “educated” fans like myself, of course…
David
As a Seattle soccer fan (Go Sounders), I can certainly relate to your story, although we are (currently) winners. The lessons we learn as sports fans are certainly pertinent to internet marketers.
Thanks again and GO LEEDS!
Maybe we’ll see them someday in a friendly here!
David
Go Leeds?
Your not from South Wales as well are you…?
David
Hey David,
I’m actually a Man Utd supporter and yes I know, I know I get called a glory supporter, but people don’t know that I’ve supported them since I was a kid watching the likes of Bryan Robson and back then, it was Liverpool who was the top team.
“Sparkling Facilities Do Not Equal Success”
So true. We get promoted so many latest must have web 2.0 gadgets and we think we need them all, but sticking to business fundamentals of trust and relationships is so much more important for real success. New web technologies come and go, but good ole business principles are priceless and always gives results.
Hope Cardiff city has a great next season!
Bailey
.-= Bailey Ing´s last blog ..Brilliant Blog Commenting & Why You Need To Pay Attention To These Guys. Period. =-.
Hi Bailey,
Thanks for leaving me a comment.
It’s so true though, making money online is a very simple process. It’s just we get sidetracked by the bells, whistles and flashing lights that we think we “must have” if we are going to succeed.
Back to basics everyone!
David
Hey David, what a brilliant post.
I love how you tied it football with Internet Marketing, that was genius.
Being from Scotland I love Rangers, and we always expect to win here.
But anytime we make it into Europe we tend to be a laughing stock, I actually feel sick when I heard the Champions League intro music.
I will never forget you telling me not to think as people as gurus, just to think of them as “normal” people, it really made sense to me.
I actually enjoyed your football videos that you posted, I think you have a nice balance on your blog, it’s not all work, there is some play too.
Sally
.-= Sally Neill´s last blog ..Meeting Alex Jeffreys Changed My Life =-.
Hi Sally,
Thanks for the comment – unfortunately Rangers and Celtic are both big fish in what is a very small pond. There was a lot of talk of them joining the English Premiership but I couldn’t imagine them being better than mid-table.
I am glad you found something of value in my miscellaneous ramblings but the bit about “gurus” being “normal” is so true. I guess they are like the Rangers & Celtic of IM…
David
Hey David,
I’m not a sports fan, but I am a fan of my grandson who plays soccer in the under 10s, he’s been playing for nearly 5 yrs and I’ve never missed a game. Last yr they couldn’t take a trick, no matter what they did they couldn’t get it together,they not only lost every game 9 out of 10 of those they were thrashed. So I can relate to yr post and certainly agree with you.
I’m one of those people that hit the delete button on the emails that just have here’s your download link and the likes, not just yours but many others, cause 9 out 10 it just means you have to opt-in to someone elses list, and quite frankly I don’t need to be on any more and especially when there just about all the same.So I looked forward to reading your emails in the future.
Michele
Hi Michele,
Thanks for leaving me a comment. I am sure your grandson’s team will improve. It is quite character building to get a hammering every week and go back for more the following.
I am glad you enjoy my emails!
David
Hey David,
What an awesome post there mate.
I know exactly how you feel. I’ve been a Dundee United supporter since I was knee high to Maurice Malpas (legendary United skipper) and if that doesn’t prepare you for life as an Internet Marketer then I don’t know what does.
I’ve learnt to be patient and not expect any sort of success. Anything is a bonus (like our Scottish cup win this year!!)
I’ve learnt that your time WILL come but you have to be prepared to wait for it.
And I’ve learnt that when success comes easy then you forget what it was like when you were rubbish (That’s for the Rangers fan above. lol)
And I used to wonder why after hours of training and preparation nobody, and I mean nobody, could get a free-kick past the wall. Think I waited 3 years once for a goal from a free-kick!
Andy
.-= Andy Michaels´s last blog ..I Quit….. =-.
Hi Andy,
Glad you liked the post and I am glad you support a fairly crappy, unsuccessful team as well! I don’t feel so left out now!
I think a lot of teams just don’t bother with the basics. Cardiff have NEVER been able to deal with corners for as long as I have watched them. It’s ridiculous and makes you wonder what on earth they do all week.
David
David-
This post is brilliant! I love the connections that you make between the sport and IM! I am in the process of comparing another sport and making sales. I promise not to steal you concept, but you just motivated me to get moving again! This arena is definitely an uphill battle, but it should be well worth it in the end!
Jerry
.-= Jerry @ theonlinesuccessprogramblog.com´s last blog ..Tons of New Giveaways Listed =-.