Getting My Feet Wet

        Well, I've finally gone and done it - And I can tell you, it ain't so bad after all.

         Those are the Title and opening lines of my first issue, over 4 years ago. This issue retains the original message and now includes lessons learned along the way.

         Those early newsletters are gradually being completely revised to include further lessons. I hope they serve as teaching tools and show you how the newsletter, the business and the editor have developed during that 4 year period.

         The first posting to a new list is like a ship sailing into uncharted waters. That's how it felt and no doubt you'd probably feel the same if you've not started yet or if you've only just started. But I'll tell you what I found...

         The water's not nearly as rough as you think .. after you've gone in and got your feet wet.

         Tell you something else I found too. You need a good compass... or someone to guide you through those uncharted waters. And you need to keep your eyes glued to that compass.

         My compass was good but hype and lies distracted me. Don't allow yourself any distractions or you will end up wasting time and getting shipwrecked!

         Success of this offering will depend on the quality and value of what's produced here, coupled with your participation. Together we can make it and build something of value.

         And make it we shall... just so long as you have a clear picture of exactly what it is you want to achieve and what means you will use to achieve it.

         It's no earthly good thinking that you're going to come on the 'Net and make lots of money in no time flat (incidentally, that's very unlikely to happen anyway) especially if you don't know what you're going to be doing.

Take this example...

         While searching for a suitable home for my intended list, before registering a domain, I had a browse for other "Newbie" type lists on Topica. Remembered reading somewhere that you should do research to get an idea of what others were offering.

         I had also read that it was best to allow yourself to be the individual that you are... be different or unique. All good tips when you start, especially if you've never done anything like this before and you don't know what is expected, or even acceptable.

What did I find?

         Several lists had been started and had nothing to say. Some of those had been going a while. Others had little content. Most of the few posts which had been made were one-liners. Listed as newsletters, these were no more than message boards.

         There can be many reasons for the state of those lists, but I was disappointed and gave up looking. If the job was to be done then it would be done. And it would be done my own way.

         Maybe Topica placed them in the wrong classification. Perhaps the owners did. But there's another likely reason for the apparent neglect as I would later come to understand.

         There's so much conflicting information and MISinformation that, without a guide or an experienced 'Net Buddy, novices are left pretty much high and dry.

         True, there are more eBooks on newsletter publishing than you can shake a stick at... and all that goes with it. And they're all the best thing since sliced bread, or so the sellers of them would have you believe!

         So who should you listen to? The guy who says "Model your newsletter on other newsletters" or the one who tells you "Yuh gotta be different"? Which??

         Starting and writing a newsletter or ezine is easy but it's not just about writing or delivering it. And it's not quite as simple and straight forward as some would have you believe.

         But don't let that put you off from doing it, if that's what you want. It can be easy if you know what it is you want to achieve and you have an interest you are passionate about.

         Especially if you know there are others who would share that interest or passion. My interest and passion is personal growth and success. I also like to help others.

         Just look at some of the stuff you subscribed to that passes for a newsletter for instance. Not a bit of useful content and nothing more than a bunch of ads.

         Here's how I described my intended newsletter on Topica.

         "To expand on the description, function and purpose of this publication I will say it is born out of a certain amount of frustration. I hope it gives encouragement to others who have suffered likewise.

         Nervous Newbies and Nauseous Net Novices is the full title, and it's mainly that group I hope to attract. In these times of political correctness, I would hate for any experienced surfer to take offence. So, if you have graduated from Net Novice and have something of interest to contribute...come on in. You're mighty welcome."

         So with noble intent to help others, and the confidence that comes with ignorance, the first issue was created. Without a clue what to write nor how the content would be received.

         Nothing was planned or prepared. Just knew it had to be done and the words came straight out of my head onto the keyboard. Something to do with pent-up frustration I guess. "More time and thought will be given to future offerings" was the promise made. There was no need to worry.

         The first issue had to be done before the moment passed. You just have to grab the bull by the horns and do something. You'll never know what could happen until you try. As it happens that first issue was a great success and prompted some very positive and encouraging feedback.

         The interesting thing is... subscribers were happy with the personal way the newsletter had been written. As if they were each being addressed as individuals, not as just "one of a number". That was the intention and it was very satisfying to have achieved that objective.

         There was really no need to feel insecure and say: "Maybe there's not much of value here... yet. But it will come. This is the first time I've tried anything like this. Meanwhile, the best I can offer is Give Yourself the Best Chance in Anything You Do"

         And that, dear Friend, is a mantra to pass on to those you love, those whom you care for and those you work with, whether in the real world or in cyberspace... maybe especially those in cyberspace.

OK... so where did we get to?

         What you've read so far is a modified version of the first issue with observations from 4 years online mixed in. There was no distinction made between the time-frames or it might have gone on forever. ~( :- ))

         One thing to explain is what was discovered about the neglected lists on Topica.

         The same fate befell this newsletter after a few months. Business commitments to help a colleague who had been supportive of me meant a reduction in available time to keep the newsletter running. After his business got started this newsletter returned.

         An even shorter period of publication passed when a series of events, which were out of personal control, caused a second death. The autoresponder company fell victim to spam idiots and the company's service was terminated.

         But, like the phoenix, this newsletter has once again risen from the ashes. These are the sort of events which few will prepare you to accept as being likely to occur. Not every day, but you know the saying as well as I do "S#*! happens!"

Now... back to the original

         When I woke up this morning I felt rough, reeeeally rough. Don't panic! What sounds like a moan coming on has a big plus at the end of it.

         When I was an office manager there was a new clerk came to work in my department. He was many years my senior and had a large family. The size of his family was a constant source of amusement in the office. This guy was so slow we thought he would have a job getting out of his own way.

         Obvious comment was "No wonder he's got so many kids". But, he took it in good part and even laughed at the remark.

         What's that got to do with me feeling rough?

         Well, this guy was Ivor and he always had cold hands. Really cold. And he was always hunched up. Round shouldered, you know. Plus, he was constantly bothered with sinus problems.

         As I was coming to life this morning, he came into my mind because I realised I was tense and my shoulders were screwed up. Not only that, my hands were freezing cold and my sinuses were blocked. And I thought to myself ...
"My God, I'm turning into Ivor!"

         So I sat and pondered why I was feeling that way. I came to some conclusions and it was that brief spell of sitting quietly which prompted this letter.

         I'm a healthcare professional in the UK. Don't laugh! Yes, I know all about stress and tension and what it can do to you. No, I'm not going into a sermon on that subject. But if anyone does want that included in a future issue, please let me know.

         It's one thing knowing about these things, quite different to practice what we preach. The benefit is being able to recognise when you are in such a state. How to handle it helps. But the best avenue is to identify the cause and do something about it.

         Incidentally, I'm a complimentary practitioner not a doctor.
Back to the story. I told you this was completely unprepared.
~( :- ))

         I've become fascinated with the potential the Internet offers anyone with useful information to share. My hard drives have accumulated a lot of stuff. Some good, much of little value.

         There's room for anyone who can put their experiences into words and commit those words to electronic paper. Trouble is, there is so much conflicting information on how to go about it.

         Result? Frustration! And that's why I was feeling rough. It all comes down to trying too hard, too long in front of this monitor and too late going to bed. Insufficient quality sleep, rest and exercise can't do anything but cause the body to feel rough.

         Pushing one's self too hard is counter productive. Other things don't get done which should be done. This leads to more frustration. Even a certain amount of disgust, or at least disappointment, in one's self.

         Lack of discipline and a clear sense of direction does not sit well with a former police officer. Yep, been one of those too. And I realised that, although I'm spending so much time on the net, what have I really accomplished? Not much!

(Just so you don't forget, this refers to the degree of success at the time of writing, Jan 2002)

         It's an uncomfortable feeling to suddenly realise that you've just been spinning your wheels.

         Believe me, it is. At the end of the day, in order to get things to happen you have to take some sort of action. Doesn't matter what action, so long as you take action. Get the mind off of money and take action.

         Tidy up the junk and just do something. Even if you do produce a crummy newsletter and nobody reads it, at least you've taken action. It can only get better.

         Twenty words I'd written on a scrap of paper was all it took to write this bulletin. There are other notes on pieces of paper and they all come from sitting quietly. But what use are they to anyone if no-one ever gets to see or read them.

         Whether or not they prove to be of any use to any reader is down to the reader. But I think it's selfish not to share thoughts which could be of benefit to another human being.

         That about wraps this up. Did you notice I've not tried to sell you anything? Makes a change, doesn't it!?

However, I have joined a plan for $5 which is returning $247 in about 2 months. Anyone wishing further info, please mail me.

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         Until the next time (hopefully next week, could be sooner) Take care and may your gods go with you.

Ken

Kenneth G Woolcock

Don't worry if it will work.....Just DO it.

PS - from 2006 Next issue.I shall tell you how it's intended to carry things forward so YOU can benefit from it financially. Does that feel good? I hope so!