Are You Ahead Of The Pulse?
13 Comments Posted by Alejandro Reyes on May 26th, 2008 at 8:44 pmGary Vaynerchuk Lesson 2: “Getting Ahead of the Pulse”
Last week we talked about the “Hoopla Factor” and how you’ve gotta find that thing that separates you from the rest of the world. That God-given talent that makes YOU who you are.
The 2nd thing that Gary talked about is “Getting Ahead of the Pulse.”
“Reading trends is Death City, USA”
In Internet Business, if you just focus on reading trends, searching for the next best keyword, you’re going to have the same results you currently have. Some of you might get lucky, but the true key to making things happen is to get ahead of the curve & be innovative.
Bill Gates calls it the “First Movers Advantage.” Whoever is first wins. Take a look at him and “Windows.” Take a look at what Steve Jobs did in the Music industry AND in the Cell Phone industry. They were the first to put something out that was extremely innovative and ahead of its time.
Gary was one of the first if not the first Wine retail company to have a website back in 1997. When everyone was enjoying the “fruity” California wine’s, and saw an obvious “segue in pallets” as he calls it, and moved to where wine was more fruiy…Australia & Spain.
He understood these things and was able to get ahead of the pulse because he talked to every customer, he read all the emails that he received every day and was literally in the trenches. If you’re able to get ahead of the pulse in your industry or your niche, you’re able to know what’s coming next. If you know what’s coming next and people see that, it will be only a matter of time before you start to rise up in your community as the leader & authority on the subject.
So what next how do you get ahead of the pluse? Here’s a few places you can start:
1. Twitter: Start connecting with people and becoming aware of what the “conversation” is & you’ll start to see things
2. Facebook: Find out what people are talking about most? Find how who’s on the “Top Friends” section of people’s profile.
3. Forums: Don’t waste too much time here, maybe once a week. Find out what people are selling, what the issues & problems are within your industry
4. Turn the TV On: Watch the Hills…just kidding. What are people talking about in the world today? What are Baby Boomers up to? How’s people handling the current state of America.
Interact with people, be engaging, provide value to them, listen to them, be very aware, and soon you’ll find yourself picking up on things.
I’m working on something that NO ONE is really talking about yet. You got a glimpse of it when I was interviewed by Social Marketing Expert Michelle Macphearson last thursday night when I talked about “Influencing the Social Networking Sites”
Get out there and start touching people, kissing babies, mingling and just have crazy awareness of what’s going on. Good luck!
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13 Comments
That’s a pretty funny comment from Gates. Microsoft always comes late to the party and just outmuscles everyone else. That’s not exactly staying ahead of the pulse.
There are trendwatching sites that keep me ahead of the curve (http://trendwatching.com). One of the best things you can do is just keep going up the chain. If there’s a site that publishes cutting-edge news, where do they get it from? And then find out where that site sources its news, etc. Make friends with people who are ahead of the curve and that’s where you’ll be living, too.
Ya it’s funny comment about Gates, it’s even funnier that he has no orginality or creativity either…LOL
He’d probably laugh at these comments then just go look at his bank account and how he’s literally saved 2 million lives in Malaria.
You don’t have to be the best, you just have to take action, and get out there. He’s bright because he hired some of the greatest people around.
Keep in mind Michael that I’m Mac guy!!! But the #’s tell the story.
Great link for trendwatching.
Thanks partner!
Follow Michael folks - he’s up the food chain! @remarkablogger
Yeah Gates has enough power to make the kinds of decisions that start trends. You can be at the bleeding edge but still only be a follower. Gates is a leader–different mindset entirely.
Thanks for the twitter shout.
Great post Alejandro! Gary V really is ahead of the curve. I can’t wait to see what top secret “ahead of the curve” surprise you are working on.
Thinking ahead now…
‘Til then,
Amy
It’s coming
Tell me please how to place such a beautifull rss subscription after the post…
Please advice me
I agree you should do something different. Something you love. So it’s easier to stay inspired.
@inspiroi
Joel Comm has also been known for trying new things. Hence “The Next Internet Millionaire” reality show.
You also can’t be afraid to “fail”. Calculate the risks and go for it!
Jason
Good post, Alejandro. Bravo… What’s interesting about this post is that it seems to foreshadow what’s about to happen on Facebook right now.
As we speak, Internet Marketers - and the hopefuls - are literally flooding Facebook. Thing is, they all are bringing the same thing: How to market and make money using Facebook.
Now, granted, that’s still a viable “niche” at this point in time but, I can already see the saturation point well within sight.
I’m convinced that those who are able to anticipate it - and, ultimately, take advantage of it - will be the ones who emerge victorious (read: richer) at the end of the day. Just my two cents…
Finally got on here to check you out bro! Keep doing your thing and ill be back to read more!
Thanks for this Alejandro, however I don’t agree with turning on the boob tube as a good place to start to get ahead of the pulse. It doesn’t engage anyone! Just brainwashes. Where as you hit the nail on the head with the others… in my opinion. Peace! @moekerr
Wait a minute…The Hills is the rage? Man, I’m outta touch with MTV.
You nailed it Alejandro…and I nearly spit out my beverage reading that quote from Billy Gates. I see his house a lot…he’s doing okay. LOL
Acting instead of reacting is the mindset people need to have to be on the crest of the wave instead of trying to swim in the backwash of that wave crashing (when everyone is furiously reacting).
It’s why I love my business and why professionals like naturopaths, chiropractors, etc see the value of what we do too. In network marketing all the rage is the “super juices” that tout the latest rare fruit from an exotic part of the world. We’re beyond that pasteurized juice that closely resembles V8 instead of living whole food. It’s why my business is exploding…because we could see where the nutritional market and the food supply was heading. People need organic, whole food nutrition…instead of diluted, pasteurized, dead juices with little or no life force.
I’m curious to see what you kick down for us to stay ahead of the pack in Social Media Marketing. Luv it man! Thx 4 being who you are and what you’re doing Alejandro!
My head is spinning but I am chomping at the bit as I launch a new venture with so much out there! Great post! I just keep going forward AND thinking forward : ). YIKES! Sometime I think my head is going to EXPLODE!