Open Letter To ClickNewz Readers
This morning Deb Gallardo posted a comment here at ClickNewz, that I personally felt deserved its own URL. Her comments were completely unsolicited, highly appreciated… and very obviously sincere. And so with that, I’m handing the virtual pen over to Deb…
Hey everyone,
Seth Godin blogged today about how different the internet is than an ad-driven mass market medium like TV. Businesses get to dictate what we see on TV because they advertise, so they have the clout.
Not so on the internet. Consumers have all the clout.
Seth says, “You don’t get a vote on whether Google succeeds or whether your customers erect spam filters.
The question to ask is, “how are people (the people I need to reach, interact with and tell stories to) going to use this new power and how can I help them achieve their goals?”
This week Lynn has been asking herself this very question. It’s uncanny that she has nailed this. Seth Godin is a genius at cutting to the heart of an issue.
So, apparently, is Lynn Terry.
You heard it here first, folks: Lynn Terry mentioned in the same sentence and with the same amount of respect and status as Seth Godin. Careful. We might have to start calling her “The Incomparable Lynn Terry now.” LOL
I know some of you may think that I’m sucking up, but Lynn knows better. I’m with you, Eren. The best money I EVER spent on IM, and I’ve spent plenty since 2004, was INVESTING in elite forum membership.
No I don’t get a commission for recommending it. Um, Lynn, why no affiliate program for that? (Just kidding.)
Here’s part of a cross-blog conversation Lynn and I had last October:
I said: I’m so discouraged right now, even without the well-meaning friends who keep saying, “So when is this website thing going to start making you money? You’ve been at it for what? Two and a half years? How long does it take?â€
Lynn responded: I have well-meaning friends like that too… 
I said: What I really need most is hands-on help. I also need my hand held, my fears calmed, my confidence built, and my next step laid out for me. Unfortunately, those things don’t come free, and free is all I can afford right now or in the foreseeable future.
Lynn responded: Sometimes they do come free. Join me here. I’ll help you – one question at a time 
And that, my friends, is the reason I love this woman with my whole heart. I’d (almost) walk through fire for her. (I prefer temps in the upper 60s, lower 70s, thanks.)
She’s the real deal. She genuinely cares about the success of her people. And she thinks of us as “her people.” As a result, so do we.
So, to continue with my long-winded paean to my mentor and muse, I signed up less than a year ago, after feeling so discouraged and not sure it was worth it to keep persevering in IM after so many years of spinning my wheels.
I was kind of overwhelmed at first by everything in the forum. There’s just SO MUCH GOOD STUFF there, but you have to work your way through it, and that’s not my strong suit.
(Lynn’s even thinking about what to do about that!)
But after Lynn responded to my cross-blog conversation with her as she did, not only was a friendship born, but it literally began to turn my life around more dramatically than any other positive event since the devastation of my divorce in 2001 and hitting rock bottom with clinical depression in 2006.
More than the anti-depressants.
More than my sudden burst of inspiration for an ebook.
More than figuring out how to refocus my blog and master WordPress.
Those were all baby steps. I took a gigantic leap forward confidence-wise when Lynn said, “We’ll work on that one question at a time.”
Can you not hear that genuine desire to help? I tell you, it resonated through my whole being. I was in tears the rest of the day in sheer gratitude. I knew I’d found what I’d been looking for online. A home.
I could have opted to stay with the “free” part of the forum, but I’d just filed my taxes (yes, I know October 15 is the last possible minute, thank you very much. I haven’t filed THIS year yet, either) and I had gotten a nice refund thanks to my business deductions.
So even though cashflow was and still remains an issue, I invested in a year’s membership at the elite forum with not even a blink of regret. And while it has not (YET) paid off in dollars, the friendships I’ve made at the weekly webinars and now the weekly brainstorming sessions for elite member have become worth more than gold.
This community that has sprung up around Lynn is incredibly supportive, a reflection of Lynn’s own attitudes. We genuinely root for one another, offer suggestions, sometimes even our time in one-on-one help where possible. Members of this group have been generous to me in other ways as well, including information I couldn’t afford to pay for. Such generosity and good-spiritedness!
Now what was my point? Ah, another senior moment.
Yes, my point. Keep an eye on this woman Lynn Terry, folks. She’s cooking up stuff even as we speak. She’s on the radar of the big dogs, but it hasn’t changed who she is.
But mark my words, today, July 21, 2008 you heard it here: Lynn Terry is on the rise, and my guess is, she’s going to take us right along with her…
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Deb… one of these days you and I are going to have to get together and have that cup of coffee in person. You are just incredible! Your heartfelt letter touched me on so many levels. THANK YOU.
For the record – for those that dont already know this, at least – I came by the title of “Internet Marketer” quite honestly.
Originally (in the late 90’s) I had a Web Development company. This was a business that I ran from an office on the square in the city, with an international web team and full staff.
I have the background, I have experience, and I have a passion for helping people find success within their niche. Just to say that this is what I do – and what I love.
I have intentionally stayed out of the “A List” arena. I am carefully considering the direction I want to take in that regard – and have been for awhile now…
In the meantime, my goal is to continue working on building my community – and helping each of those people realize success. Only then will things truly shift.
~Lynn
p.s. That affiliate program is in the works
Follow me @lynnterry on Twitter.
I have been visiting ClickNewz regularly for the past month or so, and I have yet to find a hostess and community that is so intuitive, responsive, and supportive. I have learned more from my time in this blog than any other blog since I started working from home in January 2008.
Lynn is a sweetheart. The very first time I left a comment on this blog she acknowledged it, and responded directly to me – and that rarely happens in the “make money online” niche. Normally you have to work your way up for your host or hostess to notice your contributions. Lynn opened her arms immediately, said hello, and made sure to let me know that she is listening.
That my friends is what sets her apart from the crowd.
You better recognize LT!
Amen, Deb! Amen! I have many of the same feelings you do about Lynn and have shed many of those same tears as you, she’s just so awesome and I’m so very thankful she showed up in my life. Definitely the real deal and truly genuine. A true star in my book.
Great heartfelt post, Deb.
SSWT has been home since I first registered.
Lynn keeps the light on for ya.
Well written Deb…No, I don’t think you are sucking up at all. I think you meant everything you said and Lynn deserves all those compliments. Lynn has had a very positive impact on my business too. Thank you Lynn for all that you do. You do with out expecting anything in return….And that is what makes you so special and I think that is the ’secret’ to your huge success.
“We belong to a mu-tu-al, admiration society,
( my baby and me.)
We belong to a mu-tu-a-a-a-al ad-mi-ra-tion society!”
It’s a song. Are you surprised? LOL
Seriously, I had no idea Lynn was going to do this and turn my comment into its own post. How many marketers do you know who would do that for someone who’s a constituent. A peer, maybe. A guru, more likely.
It just goes to show whas she’s really made of. Her generosity of spirit and genuine desire to help us all succeed is pretty hard to disguise.
Thank you Lynn, Elijah, Angie, Dan, and Sandy for commenting on this post. To be honest, I think I had her speechless for awhile. LOL
I know my mouth hung open for a good 60 seconds – almost caught a couple of flies – when I got her tweet about making my comment into a post. I mean, it’s just unheard of in my experience.
It’s an honor to have been singled out because I was speaking from my heart. And Lynn Terry has certainly touched my heart and forever changed me as a result.
Thank you to all who visited my site today. I hit a record high for traffic. Like 3 times my highest daily traffic and 7 times my average daily traffic! It means a lot to me that you would support me, too.
Lynn better be careful. You guys know how much I like having the microphone! LOL
Just joking around. No one and I do mean NO ONE could ever begin to substitute for Lynn Terry. The shoes are just too big to fill. I’m just a little peon standing in her shadow and enjoying the shade.
Thanks again, all.
Deb
Follow me @debgallardo on Twitter.
That certainly IS amazing, Deb.
You actually made Lynny speechless?!?
>
A-list – not a doubt since I’ve been exposed to what you do, Lynn! Deb, you put in words what many have experienced so well!
I’ll keep coming back: for the learning, for the inspiration, for common sense advice, for integrity, for curiosity, and sometimes, even, for drama!
Lynn, I see that what you do is what you speak, is what you write, is who you are. I respect that transparency in the midst of your professionalism, and hope that I can emulate it in my own unique way.
Deb, I can see that you have taken those same lessons from Lynn, and have done that in your own unique way! Again, my hope is to emulate the foundation of integrity, trust and transparency which you terrific women and many others in your community-men and women-bring to internet marketing.
I’m touched (to the point of tears-how silly), committed and grateful to be a part of your community, Lynn.
Best for now,
Mary
Deb,
All I can say is ditto.
Seriously though, beautifully put. If I had to stay on only one Internet marketers list it would be a no-brainer for me…Lynn of course! No BS, I wouldn’t even need to think it over.
Peace out fellow lynnanatics!
Follow me @alanpetersen on Twitter.
Speeches and written words are not my best traits. But I agree with all that Deb said… I’ve had my fair share of similar experience. Thanks Lynn…
I am sure great things will happen for Lynn and Deb both, because you two deserve it.
Well, Dan, I can’t SWEAR to it that Lynn was speechless. It was a “vibe” I got. You’ll have to ask her. *grin*
Mary, don’t you make ME tear up again. Sheesh, girl! Have mercy on me. I cry at the drop of a hanky. There I go. See what you made me do? *Sniff* Oh, what the heck. Haven’t had a good cry in a long time.
Alan, I’m with you 1000%. In fact, I’m not sure why I’m NOT just on her mailing list. We could all unsub from everyone else’s list and let LYNN read all their newsletters and tell us what’s good. Hmmm. Seems cruel and unusual punishment.
But given the choice, there would be no choice, as you say. Lynn would win, hands down. And I love the phrase Lynnatics. Can someone make us a T-shirt on that? “I’m a Lynnatic and proud of it!”
Kidino, you are sweet to say those things, and you did just fine with this comment, so I’m sure you could make a speech, too, if you spoke from your heart.
Only one thing I disagree with — I think we ALL deserve great things, not just Lynn and me. And if we stick with Lynn, that will happen, sooner or later. I’m hoping for sooner.
As Alan said, “Peace out, fellow Lynnatics!”
Deb
Follow me @debgallardo on Twitter.
I’m taking my Elite Forum Membership today!
Diana
Follow me @DianaWalker on Twitter.
You are all too kind – thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Your sentiments are incredibly touching, and very much appreciated.
Your support & feedback is a big part of what keeps the SSWT & ClickNewz community going – I couldnt do it without you!
@Diana – I’ll keep an eye out for that and approve it ASAP
Follow me @lynnterry on Twitter.
I totally agree with everything Deb said! I think all of us that have been a member of the SSWT and visiting Lynn on ClickNewz feel the same way. Lynn is one of the genuine people and Deb, I only wish I could have said it as well as you.
Follow me @jeanmandel on Twitter.
Right On Deb, in an area (Online Marketing) that certainly has more than it’s fair share of con artists I would be hard pressed to name someone besides Lynn who not only walks the walk but talks it too .
I agree, Deb, Lynn is a gem!
I’ve had to weed out my subscriptions several times to KISS and Lynn’s is the one I NEVER discard.
While I disappear from view at SSWT on occasion, it doesn’t mean I’m not there. I so appreciate this woman and all she’s done for me personally in my own business.
She’s the reason my husband and I are work at home parents…we make our living (raising a family of six) on the internet.
I’m looking forward to that affiliate program too.
Love you, Lynn…have a great day!
I joined the group and weekly webinars in Jan. of ‘08 and have learned alot in this group. Thanks for the hard work of putting and keeping it all together Lynn. Though my business is not affiliate related, I’m learning more each week and applying it to my own career path in the corporate world.
Just an update!
On July 22nd I said I was taking my Elite Forum subscription immediately, and Lynn, you kindly responded. I have decided to wait until September since I’m on vacation most of August, and it didn’t seem to be a smart time to be starting my membership, when I won’t be online that much to enjoy it.
Thanks (it was just on my mind, because I usually follow through on what I say!).
Diana
Follow me @DianaWalker on Twitter.
Hi Diana,
No problem – glad to hear from you!
Enjoy your vacation this month
Follow me @lynnterry on Twitter.
Thanks, Lynn!
Follow me @DianaWalker on Twitter.