Internet Ad Revenue Breaks Record. Are You a Spectator or a Player?

When I was 13 (1970), my stepfather took me and a friend to the Olympic Auditorium to see one of my favorite wrestling heroes, Rocky Johnson.  I thought this guy was so cool, and I thoroughly enjoyed his coolness in wrestling.  My stepfather on the other hand, laughed at me when I got upset because Rocky’s nemesis, Freddie Blassie, would bite him on the forehead when the ref turned his back. It pissed me off  to see my hero lose the match through unfairness.  So, my stepfather took me to the live match in downtown Los Angeles to show me that it was all fake.

He was right, but I was still entertained.  Not by the wrestlers, but by the adult people in the audience.  Even though they could see the fake punches and kicks, they were into it as if they were in the ring.  What a hoot!  But as history was being made in the ring, the audience did not (and probably could not) become a part of it.

Such is the case of the Internet which is changing the way we do business every day.  In the AP article, US Internet Ad Revenue Hits Record in 2010 by Barbara Ortutay, the author reports another record set by those who advertise on the Internet.  Now, remember, these are Internet companies who are paying hard dollars to get to you through your computer.  It does not count those of us who do not advertise but, reach our target audience by serving them, and contributing to the dissemination of knowledge.

The question is, are you participating in Internet history, or are you watching it pass you by?  Just think of how much you rely on Google and Opentable, not to mention apps like Yelp and Groupon.  What are you doing in your business life to contribute to history?  Just like when  George C Scott said to the West Point graduates.  “Thirty years from now, when you’re sitting around your fireside with your grandson on your knee and he asks you, ‘What did you do in the great World War II,’ you won’t have to say, ‘Well… I shoveled shit in Louisiana.'”

It doesn’t cost anything to start a blog.  It doesn’t cost anything to feed the machine.  I tell my clients (even those in the entertainment industry), today is the best time to promote yourself in the history of the United States.  It takes three things:

1. Creativity
2. Persistence
3. Ignorance of the fear of failing

Check out some of our other articles that may help you.  Life is too short to sit back when you can make a difference in your business and personal life, and the lives of others.  Don’t be one of those who dwell on the days of shovelling shit, when you could be one who contributed to feeding the masses.