Warning: This is one of my rants. So if this isn’t a good time to get your blood pressure up, read the next article instead.
They are trying to pass a new law here in Texas to prevent people from texting while driving. DUH!
I don’t know anyone who can juggle a cell phone, find the tiniest keys in the world – and watch traffic, while using the steering wheel – and still make sense of the text message. Something’s gotta give – and unfortunately in many cases it’s been people’s lives.
Now here’s the kicker. As the newscaster interviewed one student after another on the University campus, they all agreed that texting while driving is dangerous. So why do they keep doing it?
They all also agreed that we need a law against it. Why is that people think having a law against it will suddenly make people stop doing it? If they already admit it’s dangerous but are still doing it – what good will a law do, other than continue to fill up our court dockets and line the law enforcement coffers. I doubt it will save any lives.
And that’s when it hit me – don’t we do the same thing with our Internet marketing?
We know what we should be doing – driving traffic, writing articles, writing blog posts, creating Pay per click campaigns. But we don’t do it.
Are we waiting for someone to legislate that we must – that unless we improve the conversion rate of our optin page, we will be fined? In reality we are already being fined – by decreased revenue that a better optin page, better sales copy or more traffic would cure.
Have a talk with yourself today – and make the decision to do it before they need to pass a law to enforce it.
And while you’re at it – stop texting while you’re driving!
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
When we took driving lessons we received a book, or at least I did during my infant years, which was required reading before I got my license.
Well, it did not say anything about texting and driving. I am not sure if the current book of rules have anything about it. Must ask a teen ager. But
What if we need a book or requirements for driving traffic to our sites. A check list job aide and other goodies that you provide. Now, the challenge with rules is always ENFORCEMENT. Police can write more tickets and get more revenue for the towns if texting and driving is enforced. What can internet marketing POLICE do to enforcement the rules that will help our businesses grow?
Yes, we have membership sites,bonuses,etc but what about a REPORT CARD? TICKETS? Things that will push us past our comfort zones into action.
That is MY rant for today. Thanks Professor Cates
Rosie – I think the Report Card on your Online Business is your revenue. If you’re doing a good job, you make money. If you’re not doing the right things, you don’t. Yes, you can be very busy – but it’s doing the RIGHT things that make a difference.
You can polish the car, adjust the stereo, and change the seat covers – but if you don’t push down the gas pedal it doesn’t get you anywhere.
Drive the traffic to get the revenue!
Jeanette
There’s a huge research literature on why people don’t do what they “should.” But you can just look at the statistics for DUIs. Everybody knows the consequences are horrendous. So why do people drink and drive? Why do police officers (who see both danger and consequences first hand) get arrested for DUIs?
From reading the research, it seems that motivation to act depends on a belief that our action will make a difference AND that we can do it. People honestly don’t believe texting makes a difference. They think “Just for a few minutes…” Or they see others texting and driving.
But when it comes to changing an opt-in page:
we believe it won’t make a difference (and maybe it won’t; without a solid product and a hungry market, you’re spinning wheels);
we don’t know what to do;
we figure “one more day won’t make a difference” (just like, “just a minute of texting…”)
we believe there’s a HUGE amount of work involved
..and more. The best reinforcer for taking action on your business is a sign that your actions are linked to results. “No response” isn’t a negative the way getting a ticket is because the consequences are invisible.
This reminds me of my teaching days when I was working with 5th graders. They knew what they were supposed to do, but very few actually did it. One method that worked for me was to put peer pressure on the class. If someone did not finish their assignment, the others would stay in at recess to help them so they could all go out to play as a class. Finally, the pressure was too much for the stragglers and they would get their work done on time.
In my city we have a unique approach to those talking or texting while they drive. We point at them and say ‘Criminal! Criminal!’. It may be more like preschool than 5th grade, but it seems to be helpful.