Get Over It! A friend of mine was recently lamenting the fact that he spends too much time trying to persuade people to take action. He said he would much rather tell them to "get over it" and accept the need for his services, and then he could help them really make a difference. I know exactly what he means, because I feel that way sometimes about some people's attitude towards the Internet. So this article is a bit of a rant. Of course, I'm not talking to you. But perhaps you could pass this on to somebody who needs to read it. The Internet is here to stay. I've been using the Internet for 20 years. When I first started my business 10 years ago, I could understand people wondering whether the Internet was just a passing fad. But it's here to stay! And it's not just for spotty teenagers building MySpace pages and unethical marketers sending piles of junk mail. It's a serious, credible, professional business tool. And if you're not using it, you'll be left behind. If you're a speaker, trainer, coach, consultant, author or other information expert, you'd better be using the Internet actively in your business. And that means creating an on-line presence. Not just a Web site. But more ... Do you have an e-mail newsletter? Are you publishing a blog? Have you started podcasting? Are you publishing articles on your Web site? Are your articles appearing on other Web sites? Do people find you when they search for your topic on Google? Are you active in on-line communities? Are you LinkedIn? Do you even know what "LinkedIn" means? Do you have a Facebook profile? These things are no longer optional! Well, OK, Facebook is optional. But the others are things you must be doing to demonstrate credibility, expertise and authority. Have you ever done a Google search on a client before a presentation, workshop or consulting session? Well, guess what - they are doing the same to you! They want to know who you are, what you stand for, what you say, and why they should choose you. And if they don't find it, they'll find somebody else. Your clients have the remote, and they're switching you off. Here's an example ... Are you a coach, trainer, consultant or speaker who works with sales professionals? The REIQ - the Real Estate Institute of Queensland - has just launched a new Web site for its members. Instead of them going to workshops, seminars and training courses, they'll be doing their education on the Internet. The Web site has blogs, video, audio, podcasts, online courses, self-assessment tools, forums and much more. I know, because I'm a joint venture partner in this project. And there are thousands like it that I don't know about - and you don't know about - but they might be rapidly eroding your business. So what can you do? Glad you asked. Here are a few things ... Collect e-mail address and send a newsletter. Publish a blog. Write articles and put them on your Web site. Put them on other people's Web sites. Create a short, sharp informative e-book and give it away. "But I don't have the time." Yeah, yeah. I hear that often. Build a bridge and get over it. If you don't have the time to be seen as the expert in your field, your clients and customers will find somebody who does! Sorry if that sounds harsh. Well, no, I'm not really sorry. Maybe it's time to tell it like it is. This really is important. And I'm pulling no punches because it could make or break your business. Key words: Internet Marketing, Web 2.0 Permission to Reprint: Yes, you may reprint this article in any of your publications - paid or free, electronic or physical, commercial or non-commercial - provided you do not edit it in any way (except for formatting changes to suit your publication style), and include this resource box with the article: Gihan Perera is the author of "Get Active: Web Sites for Speakers, Trainers, Coaches and Consultants" and "Fast, Flat and Free: What You Need to Know to Stay Ahead in a Connected World". Visit http://GihanPerera.com and get your complimentary copies now. I would also appreciate receiving a copy of the issue in which it appears, if that is convenient.