I haven’t posted in a while but that’s because I have been so wrapped up in getting my new product out into the marketplace.
Unfortunately, as what happens in marketing (even if you don’t see it) is that not everything goes according to plan and you don’t always get that “home run” on your first attempt.
This happened to me and yesterday I was so angry and frustrated at myself for not getting it right I decided I needed a day away from the computer rather than let things continue to stew.
Since moving to my new home last September, my home office has been a mess – boxes full of random junk, box files containing paperwork I haven’t looked at for years, spare computer parts… you know the type of thing.
Seeing as it had cluttered my office for almost a year, it seemed like as good a time as any to get rid of it all and I found four hours of humping stuff around quite therapeutic.
But, the real reason I am writing this blog post is I came across a “termination of employment” letter among the paperwork which needed shredding.
I am amazed I still had it – it was six-and-a-half years old and had survived two house moves.
It was from 23 January 2004, about six weeks after I left possibly the worst post graduate course in Entrepreneurship ever devised at my local university and I needed to get a job.
Back in those days I was dabbling here and there in web design, SEO and ran an online soccer tipster service on a fairly small scale.
Jobs relating to web design and SEO were few and far between and the concept of online marketing was virtually unheard of, especially in Wales.
So I was delighted to get an interview at Colourbird, a new company in Cardiff who were interested in taking on young people via the Go Wales graduate placement scheme.
I aced the interview. It was the best one I had ever done and I didn’t need to blag or try to wing anything.
I was able to talk passionately about all internet-related matters and even got the chance to tell my story about when I was a DMOZ editor in one of the gambling categories…
Before I got the boot for denying entry to websites I deemed competitors to my own…
My interview was at 2pm on a Friday afternoon and I was offered the placement by 4.30pm the same day.
I really enjoyed the job. I put together a basic company website and was looking forward to learning more about business since it was a tight group of just five employees including me.
But, it wasn’t to be. The company struggled to generate business and within three weeks of my 10 week placement I was let go.
Here is the letter:
On Friday 23 January 2004 I was out of a job and I was devastated.
It was only a work placement scheme and the pay wasn’t great but I saw it as a chance to make my mark and was confident I would be taken on permanently at the end of my 10 weeks.
Good jobs in South Wales are difficult to come by at the best of times, especially web-related ones if you have virtually zero experience.
At 4.30pm I was walking back to my car, re-reading the letter in disbelief and got a phone call off a friend who was organising a trip that night into Cardiff to celebrate his birthday.
Why not. I would do what everybody else in Wales (and indeed the UK) does when they want to celebrate or drown their sorrows – get drunk…
However, it didn’t turn out to be that bad an evening after all.
It was also the night I got to meet Nicola properly (having briefly met a few months before, which she doesn’t remember I may add…) and we’ve been together pretty much ever since – expecting our first child in December.
I didn’t let losing my job get me down – I was back in employment within weeks and went on to work two more jobs I didn’t enjoy until I was offered a position as an IT advisor in July 2004.
Less than two years later, I quit to go it alone online and have worked for myself ever since.
Similarly, I know my latest product will not always be unsuccessful, it’s just a blip, a minor inconvenience until I get the balance right…
All roads lead to Rome, this is just a minor detour.
Twitter: GazzMan
August 19, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Hi David,
Unlike my usual form, I only have ONE thing to say…
Simon Norton writes a puerile and poxy letter.
GazzMan
TEMPLE
Gary Simpson recently posted..Decepticons of Internet Marketing
Hi Gazz,
I think at the time I was the least of his concerns given the problems his company was having.
But, I haven’t got anything bad to say about Simon. He gave me the opportunity when there weren’t many around and I wouldn’t have cared if the letter was worded better… the end result would have been the same!
David
Twitter: paulteague_uk
August 19, 2010 at 12:15 pm
This is a really interesting post David … it highlights how things usually aren’t as bad as they seem at the time … and how out of misfortune, opportunity arises.
It’s timely too – with ‘A’ level results out in the UK today.
I wonder how many young people feel that their lives are ‘over’ today because they didn’t get the grades they wanted.
I honestly think that an Internet marketing career – whether full time or part time – is a great back up plan these days
Paul Teague recently posted..5 Essential WordPress Plugins
Hi Paul,
I hadn’t even thought about it in the A-level context but you’re right – there will be thousands of youngsters today either on top of the world or feeling distraught but whatever today’s situation, things always tend to work themselves out.
I’ll use myself as the example – I was so annoyed yesterday with the thought of having to redo my product site and entire sales funnel but now I am relishing it.
That “failure” I believe will take it onto a greater success than would have ever been possible under the old guise.
Onwards and upwards!
David
David,
How totally honest! THANK YOU!!
All the little ‘blips’ we have are just stepping stones to what is really in store for us. So we make mistakes and learn something new! (and make a friend or 2!!)
There are also tons of ‘what if’s’ that folks say and I am guilty of it too. What if I finished school? What if I married someone else? What if I stayed at my last job? What if I never wanted anything more out of life??
Well, all the ‘blips’ and ‘what if’s’ got me where I am today and made me who I am, so I say YAY!!
Make a few more mistakes, take the wrong turn a few more times and see what you come up with (hopefully it’s not another job/adventure that you hate!!)
I am really happy for you and Nicola and y’alls first baby! Congrats! and he is gonna rock your world!!
Take care and let me know if I can do anything to help!
Lisa~
P.S. Gary said “Simon Norton writes a puerile and poxy letter” What does THAT mean??
Lisa recently posted..How Did I Get HERE
Hey Lisa,
Thanks for your comment and for the congratulations!
I am quite excited about the new-look version of the product, I am sure it will do a lot better than before.
RE: Gazz… I think he’s just being “Gazz”!
David
Hey David,
I’m glad you survived your ‘blip’ and was able to be around long enough to appreciate what it took to get you past it.
Yes blips happen. I’m sure you’ll discover the right formula to enhance your new product because you see it as just that…a minor inconvenience that will not get you down.
Sadly though, it’s those blips that cause too many would-be entrepreneurs to quit.
Hang in there David. I’m in anticipation of the change in your product.
Good luck,
Mike
Mike Helton recently posted..5 Tips For Making Money From Home
Thanks a lot Mike!
If you are on my email list you will get a notification as soon as the new product is ready to go!
David
Hey David,
Awwww I felt bad for you after reading the letter you received, must have felt like a big punch in the stomach!
But I do think everything happens for a reason and you were destined for much bigger things online.
I have watched how hard you work on your online business, testing, tweaking, and continually improving on your product, there is now doubt in my mind it will be a massive success once you are finished.
Funny that Nicola doesn’t remember meeting you, normally it’s the guy who never remembers “stuff” ha ha.
Catch you soon, Sally
Sally recently posted..How Wii Boxing Helped My Internet Business
Hi Sally,
Yeah, I was really disappointed at the time and didn’t know what I was going to do. Strange that in two years I then quite my full-time job to go it alone online.
I am more confident of the rebranded version of the product and can see it being more attractive to both customers and affiliates alike.
David
Hi David,
These things are sent to try us and each one makes us stronger – sort of like a river hitting an obstacle and rerouting itself. lol
There’ll be no stopping you now! I’m in as affiliate on Blog not Slog – routing for your success!
All the best
Jennifer
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Hey Dave,
How you going my old mate….
I know exactly what you have been through. The decision to work for someone else or work for yourself is a big one to make.
I have recently had to make that same decision myself.
Keep in mind, look after number one. As self centered as that sounds, you need to set your eyes on your own goals, because no one else will do it for you.
In the words of one of my mentors, Jim Rohn, “If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.”
Keep up the great work Dave.
Rob
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Hi Rob,
Nice to hear from you again.
Thanks for the words of wisdom. Much appreciated and so true.
David