From Jason’s ever bright and provocative blog, he quotes this unbelievably insightful observation which applies to us too, folks. Read slowly. with relish.
“Amateur is not below professional. It’s just another way of doing [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][media]. The root of the word amateur is love, and someone who does something for love is an amateur. Someone who does something to pay the bills is a professional. The amateurs have [more integrity than] the professionals. If you’re an amateur you have less conflict of interest and less reason not to tell your truth than if you have to pay the bills and please somebody else.” So said Dave Winer, colorful Internet guru .
It’s about telling the truth. YOURS, not one you’re getting paid to tell. Read this mind tingling story from Poynter here.
And yes, good people will still come to you. Even more when they know you’re telling it (your story) like it is, like the amateur above. Who needs the professional, compromised story he’s talking about, when you’ve got the real one others are aching to hear?
Word History: The word’s ultimate Latin source, amtor, “lover, devoted friend, devotee, enthusiastic pursuer of an objective,” and from its Latin-derived French source, amateur, with a similar range of meanings.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Absolutely! It makes you more of a ‘REAL’ person — and people like to deal with people (vs. impersonal corporations) on the internet.
Good post.
And that’s not all…someone who does something for the money first is not only less “real” about what they’re doing (inside, you know) they also have to use a lot more hype and seller talk to convince others because it really isn’t in them like it is for the “amateur,” as that word is described here.
Kim
In addition, you need to be passionate about your product – meaning that they know that you would use it even if there was no profit motive and you were not also a rep.
If you can’t honestly say this, it will be apparent that you are just recommending something so you can earn a commission. People know the difference!