Driving back home tonight these lyrics from a local pop station pumped through my car's speakers:
"I know you and you know me cash rules everything around me. Say dolla dolla bill y'all, dolla dolla bill y'all."
I'm not down with thug songs but these words ring true. Dolla bills don't rule my world, but they give me the freedom to create my own corner of the world. The freedom to live in a house I choose, in a neighborhood I choose, in a city I choose. The ability to have those frivolities like gas, electricity, a car, health insurance, food, clothes. The freedom to take a break once in a while in the way of a peaceful vacation.
I was thinking about the internet and the access I have come to know as free. Blog, get socially connected, use a new tool or widget, watch a video. All free. I can't think of many things I pay for now on the internet, much of what I use doesn't come with a big price tag, and if there is one, it's negligible.
Somehow, I don't think that the internet as its grown from its infancy was meant to evolve this way. I have a hard time wrapping my head around entrepreuners yearning to remain philanthropical evangelists. Yet internet fans have learned to become staunch advocates of the free fare. Their eyes have been trained to ignore the advertisements mixed among the transparency. A blatant decree of valuable goods and wares for sale does nothing but get the backs up of otherwise loyal fans with a war cry of "Hell no, we won't pay, we can leave here anyday".
And so now even MySpace searches to find a revenue model that will grow.
Is the internet stuck in a vicious cycle? Are we feeding the internet junkies, getting them hooked on Free, without providing a viable rehab? These junkies will pass down their habits to friends, loved ones, and future offspring. The addiction of free will continue unless a widespread intervention occurs.
Who can afford to live for free?
At some point it is inevitable that service will be sacrificed in the pursuit of rampant freedom on the internet. Businesses will pull out their cyber aging hair in frustration when they are unable to convert their evangelists to paying customers. The love lust of internet lovers souls will start to twang like the ballad of a broken hearted country singer.
The internet will become a vehicle of disenchantment.
Be careful how and who you attract as a client. As a marketer, a salesperson, and a real estate advisor be discretionary. Seek the client who values your advice, but feels that to get the whole package, it's worth the price tag you command. Work daily on attributes that focus on your self-worth. Know that money is the beginning, middle and end game for your business.
That is the way you need to role.
In every generation, you will find clients who value high touch service above all, and will pay for the freedom it affords them. There are prospects you will encounter who will want the drive-thru fast food prices expecting to get the 5 star meal. They will threaten to go down the street to your competition if you don't give them what they want. Let them.
Do not go the way of the dodo bird by falling into tainted love with the age of entitlement.
