I’ve been saying all along that we haven’t been in an economic downturn, but rather a complete reset with new rules. In other words, stop waiting for things to “get better.” They’re is no “better” because the truth is that everything is different now.
Remember back in the early 90s when technology utopians brashly declared that the internet was going to “change everything?”
Well, here we are.
Turns out I’m far from alone in this interpretation of events. Richard Florida’s new book is called The Great Reset. That pretty much sums it all up for me.
If you watch what people who are embracing the real new economy are doing, you’ll see one inescapable trend: they’re getting crazy.
- I’m gonna be changing things up quite a bit here at Remarkablogger: new site, new products & services, new direction focusing on the crossroads of blogging & business. Stay tuned.
- Brian Clark has left Thesis, realigned some of his projects and is heading in a more product-oriented direction. Note the raging success of Scribe SEO.
- Nathan Hangen freakin’ quit blogging altogether and is doing his crazy iPhone app thing plus getting all up in that Ayn Rand bullshit (Heh… I can’t stand Ayn Rand so I gotta give him some grief about it).
- Jonathan Fields is not only getting his freak on, but he’s noticed the trend too and recently wrote about it.
- Elizabeth Potts Weinstein is actually making a living from crazy these days (also known as “truth” by the way—funny how there’s such a strong relationship between “truth” and “crazy,” no?).
- Pace and Kyeli started a freak revolution and then had the gall to be freaky enough to change it.
- Jonny B. Truant totally made it work by combining business marketing savvy with solid services and a massive dose of humor and personality.
Another way to say it: follow your weird (Cory Doctorow putting a twist on Joseph Campbell).
They’re killing it… are you?
“Killing it” is a not-so-nice phrase I use to describe uber championship-level victory. Sorta like how Gary V says “crush it,” except with me it’s not a personal trademark/book title thing. It’s just something in my personal vocabulary, something I say a lot. All that is to say that the people in the list above really stood out in my mind in 2010 as killing it. Their names came effortlessly off the top of my head.
What is it about what they do?
- They understand and embrace the “new” new economy
- They’re getting their freak on (now I love Missy Eliot’s original but you have to admit this Eels cover smokes it)
Combining online business & marketing savvy with big dose of insanity is the key to 2011. You will be happier, more fulfilled and also much more successful from a standard make-money point of view.
Are you ready?
If you are, share your plans with us in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!
But if you’re not, I suggest you take advantage of my 2010 blog consulting rates because in 2011 I’m going to double them.
Dude, I'm humbled and honored, really. I didn't actually expect anyone to notice when I shifted gears, but I'm really thrilled to be listed among these inspired/inspiring folks.
I'm so glad I'm crazy.
I also agree with your sentiment, that we might not recover, and that the reset has already begun. This means that those that kick it into a sprint now, are sure to reap the benefits.
No time to sit and wait…the future is ours to claim.
I keep an eye on things, I just don't jump in and shoot my mouth off all the
time.
Keep fighting the good fight, man. And Happy New Year to ya!
You too man, you too.
I noticed the shift Nathan – and it was an inspiration for me to change things up in 2011.
Thanks Michael for the keen eye on things.
Frank that's awesome to hear. I hope 2011 rocks your face off!
My plan is to do more offline marketing to drive traffic. Also I am poised to go toward the international markets more. For some reason I have been so geocentric thinking Canada and the US are the only places that count.
That's great to hear, Jeff. I have clients in other English-speaking
countries, although I'm not deliberately targeting any specific region. It's
due to the power of a common language and search & social media.
Today signaled the rebirth of quite a few blogs! Everyone seems to be in upswing mode. I love it. I've never been so tired and so energized at the same time. lol
I've been a huge fan of Brian Clark's for awhile and noticed his move from Thesis and becoming part of Studiopress, etc., and I've used and loved Scribe SEO from the start. Funny enough I also switched my blog from Thesis to Genesis (today) but it had nothing to do with that change. Still, it just feels like there's a lot of energy coming from certain people and if you can just get in their line of motion, you can grab a piece of it.
Best wishes to Remarkablogger in 2011.
Cheers,
Tia
Yeah the trend I've noticed is that these folks and many others like them
started their “change” earlier this year and many of them don't have
anything particular going on because it's New Years.
Love the term “upswing mode!”
Brilliant, can't wait for some of the things happening this year. Not just what I'm doing but others, like yourself and Nathan.
Rock on!
How about you, Joel? Got anything on tap you'd like to share?
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The CEO of one of the companies I advise was an early executive at eBay. I asked him one day what he attributed eBay's early success to. He said it was something very simple, “We found the freaks.”
When you are trying to find the “new normal,” find the people out on the edge, find the freaks. You named some in this post. There are more. Your advice is sound, pay attention to these people. They are the ones finding the new path and making the mistakes, they have the passion, they aren't afraid to ship. They will show you the way. Don't be afraid to follow them off the cliff.
I'm a 57 year old advertising executive who lost his job a year ago December. And I'm ready. Last year I changed gears and joined one of my vendors, Red8 Studios, became a partner and the Managing Director. No more ad agency jobs for me. Now I sell interactive production to mid-sized agencies and web firms that aren't big enough to have developers on staff. Couldn't be happier or more positive about the future.
Right on, James. Thanks for bringing up eBay, because one thing I've told
people over and over again is that there no customer like one who is
insanely obsessed with a hobby. These people will spend ungodly amounts of
money on their collections while bills go unpaid and dishes pile up at the
sink. It doesn't even matter what the economy is doing because the hobby is
their escape from an unpleasant reality and they will spend money on it
anyway. That is a big reason why eBay rocks.
It's also perfect for online niche websites and blogs and the business which
cater to the collectors and the obsessed.
Great Read! Had'nt thought about the economy that way! We all must evolve to make it after the “reset”!
we might not recover, and that the reset has already begun. This means that those that kick it into a sprint now, are sure to reap the benefits.