Oct
26
Johnny Evolves
I was talking to my new friend Charlie Gilkey the other day, and he put into Southern-accented words something that I’d had a hard time putting my finger on.
When I started my first blog just over a year ago, I spent forever tweaking it and trying to make it perfect. Eventually I just launched the damn thing, but there were plenty of aspects of the site that I didn’t like: The sidebars didn’t have all of my best “callout” items in them, so that people would be certain to see them. My newsletter subscription offer wasn’t strong enough. It took me forever to make the background look right and match perfectly where it met the footer, and I never did get it right. I didn’t like my old “Hire Johnny” page, and I had meant to organize my categories better.
Of course, none of that matters now, because that site — TheEconomyIsntHappening.com — is gone. I consolidated the content from the old TEIH and combined it with the content from the site I launched while IttyBiz watched, which was LearnToBeYourOwnVA.com. That site is gone now too, and both live harmoniously under the new umbrella of JohnnyBTruant.com.
I’ve been doing a lot of consulting lately (and by the way, there’s plenty I don’t like about that page, too — it makes it look like I only consult about technology, which isn’t true), and one thing I keep running into are people like me — people who are creating something and want it to be perfect right out of the starting gate. I try to explain what I can’t even make myself believe, but it’s a hard thing to put into words. Why shouldn’t you make your site perfect, after all?
But Charlie nailed it. He said that no matter what you’re doing online, it’ll be obsolete in a few months. Not obsolete in the way VHS tapes are obsolete, but obsolete because you’ve changed. Your business has changed; your voice has changed; your whole “thing” online has evolved. And that’s exactly what happened to me, and it’s why those little imperfections on the old TheEconomyIsntHappening.com ended up not mattering.
What was more important was to soldier on imperfectly, rather than to wait for everything to be “just right.”
Let me put this another way: In my experience, if you want to do business online, you’re going to have to be willing to do your thing to the best of your ability even if it doesn’t feel like you’ve defined yourself and your value proposition and your website perfectly enough yet. You’re going to have to accept that the way you’re doing things in six months may well be totally different from the way you’re doing them now. You’ll need to realize that just because you’re writing about how much you love explosive pies today, you may be organizing courses to train explosive pie disposal units in half a year. That has to be okay with you. You have to go with your gut, and go where the market seems to be taking you. You have to let your voice and your method of operation evolve with time.
What Charlie was suggesting is that there’s no point in trying to be perfect because “YOU” online is sort of a moving target anyway. That’s what I try to tell my clients who want to spend three months crafting the perfect look for their first website. Especially when starting out, YOU don’t know who YOU are anyway. You’ll create this perfect, expensive, time-consuming site to match who you think you are online, and a few months later you’ll realize you were wrong, and your site doesn’t match who you’ve become.
I figured it might make sense to talk about why I ditched my old websites and launched the new one, since this series is supposed to be about how a n00b online businessman grew his business. So here’s that story.
When you first met me, I had TheEconomyIsntHappening.com. For all intents and purposes, it was a strict humor blog. Humor sucks as a profession. You get to spend a ton of time crafting perfect copy, and if you’re lucky, you can make upwards of five dollars a month doing it. I then created TheDiabeticWeightlifter.com as my IttyBiz project (still live, but hasn’t been updated in forever), but then quickly decided to launch LearnToBeYourOwnVA.com when, during the course of explaining how I launched the weightlifter site, a bunch of people said they wanted to know about how to launch sites.
That felt like as good of a quorum as any. So I wrote my free eBook, took off on the V.A. site, filled it with tips, tutorials, and an initial round of webinars, and decided I’d found my niche, which I could ride and build forever. For kicks, I kept writing my humor blog as well.
Then Charlie’s “few months later” hit, and I realized that both of those sites were outdated. I wasn’t going in the correct direction for either of them anymore.
For one, I’d started writing a lot for other blogs. IttyBiz was one, but Copyblogger and Problogger were two more. I wrote a few times for Tim Brownson, and got involved with Project Mojave. I started to get into this Third Tribe mindset, and things like ethical business and trust were on my mind all the time. Where was I supposed to write about those things? On my “technical tips” blog? Or on my humor blog?
I asked my readers what they thought. I weighed it all long and hard in my own mind. And eventually I could only throw my hands in the air and decide to ditch both the tech tips direction and the pure humor direction, and see if “Johnny B. Truant” was strong enough yet to fly as a brand on its own.
And so here I am, less than a year after making my first cent in an online business, and I’ve already changed my business model a few times. I’ve already scrapped two sites and forged a third. I’ve already had to figure out whether “humor” or “building websites” or “Johnny B. Truant” was a better horse to put my money on.
So I guess the takeaway is, Don’t get too wedded to your current way of doing business. Don’t wait until you have everything perfect before you start your site, because you’re chasing something that’s evolving. Just get going. Just launch already, and clean up the loose ends, and accept that you may have to completely re-do all of it a few months down the road anyway. The nature of the Net is that you’ll try one thing, listen to your audience’s response, and subtly adjust. You may think you know exactly what you’re going to do, but you may not. Your voice will change; your specialty will change; your style will change. You’ll start by offering X, but then discover that Y fits you better and is an easier sale anyway.
And by the way, I doubt I’ve figured it all out now. I’ll bet that in another six months, JohnnyBTruant.com will get a serious overhaul. I’ll bet I’ll be doing things then that I can’t predict today.
So don’t wait to perfect what you’re about to do. Do it now, imperfectly. And once you’ve done it, don’t be rigid and wedded to it. Accept that it will evolve, and change, and grow.
I know it’s all very confusing by nature, but the way you’re supposed to reframe that is as an adventure. So just keep telling yourself that.
—-
Want more Charlie? Charlie Gilkey and I are launching a twice-monthly call series called The Charlie and Johnny Jam Sessions, which will debut shortly. One of us will try to be drunk most times, or to get our guests drunk.
Ok…first of all, let me say that this post kicks ass. I’m going to have to share with all of my buds over at the Paid to Exist program that Jonathan Mead is running.
This hits it RIGHT ON THE HEAD. People get too fickin’ wrapped up in wanting to make everything perfect. Doing research to the nth degree. Doing design to the nth degree. Photshopping the heck out of their personal photo on the bio page.
In my opinion it comes down to fear. In the end people are just scared. Scared they aren’t good enough. Scared of what other people with think. Scared of failure. Scared of putting themselves out there. You know what, everyone is. I’m the same way. The difference between those who actually overcome this and those who don’t is actually doing something.
Heck, I started a site not more than three months ago and I already want to change direction. At first I was upset, but you know what, there was no reason to be upset. I learned a lot in the process. I know much more about website marketing/biz development now than I knew six months ago….which was 0%.
If you’re waiting for the perfect time it’s never going to happen. Stop waiting and start doing now.
As an entrepreneur, confusion and uncertainty are signs you’re working on the right thing. If you find a sure thing, someone bigger and slower is probably already camped out on that space.
As soon as your crazy idea pays off, you need to start working on the next one before the second movers show up.
People think that what they’re going through is not what the “successful” people go through (don’t ask me why I put that in quotes, it just felt right).
But everybody goes through this. As people, we’re always growing and that means our sites are living beings in a sense, too. We have to change them to reflect our updated reality and understanding.
I’ve been constantly tweaking my site and it undergoes major design and content overhauls regularly. My services and pricing change all the time (well, prices just go up, but you know what I mean). Is all this a sign I don’t know what I’m doing? No, it’s a sign I’m keeping up with my own internal/mental/emotional/knowledges evolution.
I love you.
(and Michael, Naomi and Charlie)
I’ve been so confused. It doesn’t help that I spend most of my time babysitting a 14 month old for reasons i wont go into (unless by email). I know I kick arse at certain things online. I knew I had a profile and friends that were willing to help. But I didn’t have anything that resembled a business plan so have refrained from doing anything because, well, nothing was perfect. I cant get my site the way i want it. The technology at my house SUCKS. Also recovering from anxiety.
So, stuff it. I know I’ll evolve so I’ll just do it the way I was gonna and then fix the mistakes as they happen. That way at least I’ll learn stuff.
Thats my cold-riddled thought for the day. *achoo*
Johnny,
Evolving is part of the process of doing business. I remember when I was a fledgling counselor, and how I charged less, did more and processed billing like the dark ages. Now I work with people in a number of different ways, blog, write books and other stuff.
Its only going to get different, more intuitive and more sideways from there, and I have Naomi and you to thank for getting me to think outside the box and onto the future.
Personally, I’m still waiting for the nation-wide wireless high speed internet and the two way camera phones so people can do mobile video conferencing. :)
Just wanted to say – it’s been very fun watching you evolve.
And in this post, it’s VERY evident the extent to which your “voice” has matured.
Go, you!
You have a great job of saying what I’m thinking but too afraid to put into words. Not because it isn’t true, but because then I’ll have to face the harsh reality that I’ll never have everything figured out.
For a planner and a perfectionist like me, that’s tough! However, the word of the day is rocketsauce, and you brought it out for this one. Bravo.
This just kicks a mile of ass. Really nicely done, Mr. T.
And will also be helpful to me as the millionth person emails me to say, “Did you notice that X, Y and Z aren’t really right?” Uh, yeah. Also A, R, 3, 27, and the bunny slippers. There’s a long list.
I totally forgot to mention that exploding pies are kick ass. Where can I get one?
Last time I saw them was on Spongebob. Not sure how you get some into the 3D world, though.
Gives me a kick in the pants to get my blog up and running – thanks.
This is so timely- I’m just launching a new blog after running out of steam on my first one- totally because I’ve evolved.
Or I just can’t stick at things.
Let’s go with evolved.
And let’s not talk about the $3,000 site I had made when I was about to be featured in the local newspaper. Hmmm… Lasted a whole 6 months, the guilt a lot longer.
*goes to do final check of blog before starting to talk about it*
Beautiful!
Why do we keep tweaking our sites? Why do we not launch our latest product? Why don’t we create a product in the first place?
Fear of rejection.
We are all too fearful of what others are going to think and say (generic statement).
There are millions of people our there and your site, your product, what you say, how you run your business…will be loathed by 50%. That means 50% will like it…so stop tweaking and start getting out there.
Beautiful!
Andrew
Thanks for the dose of reality. I just started my site last May, and it’s still not perfect. In development and a lot of fun, but far from perfect. You’re post made me feel a sense of relief. Thanks again!
Thanks a ton, everyone. Glad to see this one struck a chord. The most interesting thing to me (and I’m the guy who wrote this, so I shouldn’t be surprised by revelations in it) was what Nathan H. said… you’ll never get everything right.
Because that’s kind of the disappointing side to this, or maybe just the side that’s harder to come to grips with: Even “fix those things after I’ve launched” doesn’t totally make sense. “Go ahead and leave them broken if you find something more worthy of your time” is closer to the truth.
And congrats to Drew for picking up the fact that exploding pies are indeed the ideal gift for annoying sponges from curmudgeony squids.
If I recall, it didn’t work out so ideally for him. Something to do with a mushroom cloud in fact.
Ah, our online presence is an evolving, moving target for sure!
Thanks for the reminder.
Enjoy,
Christine Elisabeth Hueber
Awesome, awesome post, Johnny. If only cos it makes me feel better about my own business/blog/online stuff. (I’m not really sure what I do any more. I’m settling for just being Ali at the moment.)
Since starting out online, almost two years ago now, I’ve started and abandoned two blogs, and I ran a portfolio/business-y site advertising writing/website services which I then radically morphed into a blog on “getting more from life” (this has probably bemused a few of my early clients!) I get bored quickly, and today’s cool idea is often tomorrow’s “yawn”.
So thank you for making me feel, well, more okay about the fact that bits are falling off half my old websites, and that I quite like to reinvent myself every few months…
Good luck with JohnnyBTruant.com. You’ve got the voice and the pizazz to sail under your own name – have fun with it!
I feel like Old Spock on the New Star Trek in that saying “Great post” would seem self-serving. So…beer!
Seriously, though – this whole becoming/evolving thing has been on my mind a lot lately, too; it’s the same idea at play in this post.
And, dude, let’s drop the “new friend” thing; we’ve launched the Jam Sessions together, so it’s not quite like we’re playing tag in the schoolyard. We’re friends, and, for what it’s worth, I’ve enjoyed watching you grow and evolve and I’m excited to see how we push each other in the future.
Yes. I’m sayin’ “yes” to what you’re saying.
And, let me be an old dinosaur here who has a nine-year old business. And that tells you something when a nine-year-old business could be considered a dinosaur.
The shifting and change slows down eventually. The first stage of business is “Creation.” You’re doing a lot of experimenting, figuring things out. Not a good time to spend a ton on design because it all will change in a few months.
However, it’s not always like that. Some people continually change their business and I guess that’s okay if it works for them.
Another model is that eventually you settle in. Your business takes on a shape and a heart and a life of it’s own. It evolves, but not in the scatter-shot manner of “what’s this shiny thing over here?”
The consistency that arises from being settled in is a lot of what allows momentum to happen. Because you do something for the fifth time instead of always just the first time, and the impact is even greater.
There’s a lot to be said for innovation and change. You need to embrace it at certain points in your business. And, things do settle down. You don’t have to live like that forever.
Rock on.
Evolution ~ go figure! Where would we be without it.
A nice, reassuring post with a new calm tone that suits you well (still that JBT voice, just less manic, which seems fitting.)
The premise makes me think of “finding your niche” as a corner of a world that’s always spinning, so “your corner” is always shifting just a little out of reach, forcing us to look up and around and adjust — do we follow the orbiting niche, or do we determine to explore new territory. Delighted to have you narrating your trek for us, in all the places you do it.
Go Johnny ~
~ @TheGirlPie
Excellent points on not being married to a particular strategy or tactic. The blog world evolves so quickly, even if we had an Easy button, we may need a slightly different button tomorrow.
Another “well said, Johnny” vote from me. This is a great post to send to my potential clients when they express their worries to me that they don’t want to launch/install/write just yet.
And a good comforting post for me as well, since I’ve also launched and retired at least three sites in the past year. And I still get caught up in “it’s not quite done. It’s not quite ready for prime time.” Well, it’s live anyway, so take that, internets.
I always tell people who are building their first website online that it pays to know how to (at least) make changes and edits themselves, because no matter how beautiful and perfect the site is when it’s launched, they’re going to want to make some kind of additions, changes, deletions sooner or later. Inevitably. No matter what. And they can choose to pay a designer for those tweaks, or learn to do it (mostly) themselves.
Now I have your story to point them to, as well. You keep rockin, Johnny.
I think this is such wise advice…thank you! Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
@Everyone, thanks.
@Mark, that’s good to know, and I’d sort of guessed/hoped as much. It does feel like there is a hell of a lot of jockeying to find your center early on, and I’ve been at this for all of seven months. I’m looking forward to the “refining” phase, but for now, I’m enjoying the ride!
I re-read this today to calm myself the hell down. Thanks dear.
Okay, now someone calm me down.
Sorry Johnny,
That’s the price you pay for being the hero :)
Remember Johnny, life never gets resolved. Keep it simple. Act with your heart, adjust with your head, and always do your best.
Will someone fish my earlier comment out of Akismet’s hands? I’m getting beat down because I had the audacity to put a link in my comment.
Wish I could help you, dude, but that’s WHAT YOU FUCKING GET for linking in a post.
You’ll have to plead with the big cheese to get this handled. You’re so busted.
I think I’m in the queue with the Big Cheese. The sign says: “Currently talking to #192. You have 2,453 people in front of you.”
This might take a while…
That’s what you get for being a dirty, filthy spammer.
Also, I’m on page 7 of Akismet and I still haven’t found you.
Fucking liar. I saw it come up, what with the grilling me on technicalities.
Great points on evolving and going with the flow. Especially with the fact that some of us (well, me especially) are very amateur web designers, I guess just get something up that you don’t completely hate, work on great content, and improve the site as you learn more.
Btw, no F-bombs til the comments? Haha.
I added one above for you. I’d edit the post, but she won’t give me direct access on account of all of the hilarious vandalism I’d do.
I would agree with you completely if it weren’t for the “hilarious” part.
Philistine. Anyone can destroy something. But only an artist can do so in a way that makes you piss yourself with laughter.
On board! Created y 1st blog slash website last year and already jumped ship 3 times. I dove in with imperfect action and keep tweaking as I go along. At the moment my site is 100% different in my mind than what it is for real so I know another revamp is on the way.
Some things still freak me the heck out so I`m hovering on the diving board but at least I`m out there hey :) Awesome bro, just O for Orsome!
Tia @TiaSparkles
This is reminiscent of a famous online guru a couple years back who put out a CD that, at the time, rocked the IM world. One of the tracks had him imploring, “You don’t have to get it right… you just have to get it going.”
Thanks for the reminder Johnny. I’ve been working on the habit of doing something first, putting it out there and analyzing later. Some days are better than others, but I’m MOVING in the general direction I want to go. Every once in a while I’ll step in a pile of shit, but HEY… I wear shoes, and you can clean them.
You don’t have to get it right… you just have to get it going! Let’s see, where did I put that CD? You gotta know the one I’m talking about, right? Everybody and their dogs got their copies.