The Power of Community
One of the things I have learned in my years of internet marketing is the necessity of community in the internet business context.
I have been working from home full time as an internet marketer since June 19th, 2012. I saw a video of a guy who seemed to have my dream life, and I hated my job. HATED it, because it took me away from my 2 toddler boys and my wife 6 days a week. I would daydream about a different type of life. It seemed to consume my every thought. I knew this was not normal, so when I saw a video of a guy who had the life I wanted, I did everything I could to get there. My journey began, and much to my surprise I did well and was able to quit my job on that incredible day, June 19th, 2012!! I will never forget.
With that said, it's been an interesting ride. This has been a thrilling way to spend tons of time with my family, pay the bills, and have a great time. I could never go back to a regular job. I am, in a very real sense, ruined.
I say all of this to say, I have been around. I have directed and headed teams, set up team builds, coached and mentored students, worked with many different companies. I have NEVER found solid community. EVER. Oh, I've seen it feigned before, but I'm talking about REAL community.
I once had someone in one of my downlines in another company complain about the lack of community, and I am ashamed to say I almost scoffed. I didn't know how vital it is. I didn't really care. What I have since realized, though, is that community sustains. I have had success, but I have also had drop offs, and fall outs, and all those typical home business disasters. The normal response is to continue to nurture your team, and keep building, and diversify the home business portfolio a little more.
But, community SUSTAINS. Internet Marketing is an exciting world, but it can also feel REALLY big, and people get lonely. Or people just want to BELONG.
Community also inspires faith. When people are within the context of a solid community, they know they are not alone, they are surrounded by people in all parts of the journey. It's exciting, you know? Faith inspires action too. It's always the action takers who get big results in home business.
Community. So basic, and yet so rare. I hope you realize what a treasure you have with Wealthy Affiliate. I have never seen community like this. It puzzles me, it impresses me.
I guess I just wanted to give you a sense of thankfulness for the community here. I've been a part of a lot of different things over the years. This is a rare gem.
Recent Comments
19
Wow...love it. I feel the same about a great community. It's a joy to have you in it.
Great read!
Danbarth, your so right about community, even though the work we do could be a lonely road to success being on your own with your laptop aq community such as WA makes all the difference.
Thanks for sharing your amazing experience, you are so right! A real community like WA is very rare to find, and it increases its value everytime!
Indeed a real gem. Even those with skills such as your own can benefit well from this community. A design that was well thought out, and often updated.
Hi Dan. So nice to meet you, thanks so much for the follow. I have been around for quite a while; reason why I haven't done much is originally I joined, panicked and bailed realizing I couldn't afford to pay for the membership without making money which was not going to happen soon enough, then resumed my membership (by invitation) recently as I was always aware there was something majorly different about WA. Without telling you what you already know, of all the things I love about WA, it's being a member of this community I love most - somehow brings out the spirit of generosity in all of us to help each other, which also feels like home and a safe place to learn and grow. There is none of this dog-eat-dog mentality so typical of a competitive industry, rather, a nurturing of each others' hopes and dreams and a sharing of information by the many many very talented people of all levels of expertise and from all walks of life and working background. It is this which blows me away! I came in impatient to learn about the internet marketing side as quickly as possible to make up for lost time, then realized the community is a very big part of it, and now I am so much happier acquainting myself with it and learning at my own pace while finding I am in such great company of people, many who are also bravely overcoming personal difficulties while trying to build something sustainable for themselves and their loved ones. Apart from the brilliant business model of something real, ethical, boundless and relevant for the times, Kyle and Carson have somehow created a fantastic, altruistic community we instinctively love to belong to. Yeah, I get it what you mean about the community. Sorry for the long post (think I had better get blogging!)
Aww Dan .... I'm inspired and touched at the same time .... a very profound piece of writing ... you must have spent hours thinking about the content ... I'm a newbie of a couple of days and now have the motivation to reach for the stars .... sooo Thank You x
Maggie, I'm a newbie too. This is my 6th day. This house is full of great people who want to help us succeed. I've never seen anything like it. Not even close of this size anyway. Kyle and Carson have done a great job in developing this community as Dan mentions.
All the best, Jim
I concur Jim .... I haven't seen anything like it either ... Kyle and Carson have created an amazing phenomenon ...... I am grateful to each and e ery member of the WA community for helping us on our journey of discovery ... warm wishes M★ .....
Thanks for the encouragement, Maggie!
Wish you the best with Wealthy Affiliate, it's an awesome program for sure :)
Dan, it's an honor to be on your team. I agree with what you have shared, the community/ family spirit. It's an amazing experience and a privilege to be a part of it. Jim
Awesome article Dan. I totally agree that having a community of positive, supportive, like-minded people that encourage each other to achieving success makes so much difference. When I started here at WA I knew knowing about tech stuff or internet marketing. What I did have was a passion to help people and a willingness to learn, get my work out there to a larger audience and the belief that I CAN DO IT. Having the right training and community is amazing. I am very grateful also to this place where we can inspire each other to grow and reach higher. Wishing you success in every area of your life. :)))
See more comments
Yes Danbarth,I feel what you're feeling.