When I was a kid, there was a head shop in our neighborhood called The Great Train Robbery. Perched in their window was a black light poster that featured two seedy-looking vultures lurking on the limb of a dead tree. One says to the other, “Patience, my ass. I’m gonna kill something.”
Years later, I’m reminded of this poster when I think about all the time and effort we spend marketing online with blogs, vlogs, and social media instead of concentrating on our businesses. After all, constantly screaming into the Internet void is fine and good (and occasionally productive) but ultimately you have to make your own luck. Yes, some folks have been successful by simply sitting at home broadcasting their opinions, but those anomalies are few and far between. Just like those hungry dayglo vultures, if you and I want to eat, we have to go out and actually do something about it. And it doesn’t matter if you’re looking for customers for your law firm, your medical office, real estate brokerage, keynote speaking, hotel, or private school, it’s all the same. Sitting on your perch and waiting ain’t gonna cut it.
Are you a writer or a waiter?
For example, maybe you fancy yourself a writer and want to write the next great American novel. If that’s the case, you need to do is sit down, write the book, and then go out and sell it. If you prefer to wait around expecting the muse to strike and a publisher to come to you, then you’re a waiter, not a writer.
Louis L’Amour, author of 89 novels, 14 short-story collections, and two nonfiction books said, “Start writing no matter what. Water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
The vultures in my childhood said, “Patience, my ass. I’m gonna kill something.”
What do you say?
BRUCE TURKEL
- Sought-after international keynote speakers on branding, creativity, and innovation
- Member, Speaker Hall of Fame
- Best-selling author of "All About Them," one of Forbes Magazine's top ten business books of the year
- Brand builder for Discovery Channel, Bacardi, Miami and many other successful brands
Phone: +1 305/321-9015
Email: bruce@bruceturkel.com
Website: www.bruceturkel.com
Steemit: steemit.com/@bruceturkel
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bturkel
Twitter: www.twitter.com/BruceTurkel
Facebook: www.facebook.com/turkelbruce
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bruceturkel
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/bruceturkel