James Burt’s latest ‘e-Wealth Daily’ article is titled “What You Need to Know About Information Marketing Volunteering”. [‘Info Marketing Volunteering’ Article]


James Burt’s latest ‘e-Wealth Daily’ article:

What You Need to Know About Information Marketing Volunteering

So, I have to ask…how do you feel about working for free? Doesn’t it make you feel great inside that you are helping others by donating your valuable time and energy to assisting in the success of their endeavors? And don’t you just yearn for the next occasion that you can help them again?

I know what you are thinking: “Whatever, bud. Thanks for coming out and good luck trying to pay your bills. You must live at home!”

All jokes aside, I have wanted to write about volunteering for a while now, but forgot about it until I spoke with my cousin’s wife at a recent family barbeque. She’s an English grad and, at one time, an aspiring poet. Between the time of her 1998 graduation from university to her marriage to my cousin in 2004, she worked like crazy to write and get her stuff published, which she periodically did. After that though, she became dejected, decided to have a family, and is now a stay-at-home mom. She still hasn’t given up her aspirations though and always has a pad handy for when her children are asleep or she has a spare moment.

I asked her if there was anything she regretted from that period in her life. Her reply was: “I think I should have focused more on the writing itself and getting it out to magazines than helping out with festivals and events. I really went into volunteer overkill and it didn’t come to much.”

This is a term to note as an information marketer: volunteer overkill. It’s something a lot of people quite innocently fall into and can lead to failures of business. It starts with you wanting
to get ahead and offering your services for free. Your buddy needs info content for his web site or a connection needs a newsletter done up for his astrology mail-out. You gleefully do it to see your name in print and something of your own creation published. And you do it for absolutely no financial compensation.

But the problem arises when you do it again. And again. And again. People take advantage of your talent and, while you build a portfolio of work, your telephone bills and meal tickets are left outstanding. This is volunteer overkill and it can be dangerous to the survival of your business.

To clarify, I am certainly not saying that you should forego volunteering altogether, especially when starting out. You have to build up a portfolio of work and that takes time. But, like any other activity in info marketing, exercising some philosophy beforehand is essential. Make sure you see what you are writing content for. Ask yourself if what you are writing for free is going to be a useful assignment in creating your portfolio and pertinent to the type of information you will
be continually writing about. If you want to be an automotive information marketer, don’t waste time creating free content for a tattooing web site. As well, quiz the prospective client. Ask
them if there will be any paid opportunities in the future for your services. If they seem professional, go ahead and form a partnership with them. If they seem flimsy or unsure, look
elsewhere.

As well, consider the fact that, once you get established, you can always volunteer your services later on or mentor an up-and-coming information marketer. By then, you will be a well-
seasoned pro and can help those who are just starting out or provide content to a rookie business. Your contribution to either party will be greatly appreciated and you can walk away
knowing you did a good deed, while not sacrificing anything yourself.

Like any business, starting out in information marketing can be tough. There is no shame in wanting to get ahead, to work hard, and to be ready to take a few knocks in the process, including receiving no pay. Helping others for free can be useful, but don’t forget about your own goals and aspirations. Always serve your best professional judgment and look to help others when you can along the way. This route will ensure your success and contribute to others’ success at the same time.

e-Wealth Daily

About e-Wealth Daily

The e-Wealth Daily Bulletin brings you daily tips, advice and breaking news related to home businesses, small businesses and internet marketing. Our team of experts gives you the information you need to take your business pursuits to the most profitable level. Founded by Adrian Newman in 2003, the e-Wealth Daily Bulletin and www.ewealthdaily.com are a division of Lombardi Publishing with online newsletters reaching over 100,000 subscribers each month.

* IMNewsWatch would like to thank e-Wealth Daily for granting permission to reprint this article.

Sharing is caring