Time to Stay, Time to Go!
  Written By Raven

Obi-Wan, the XBox game, is so awesome, I couldn't resist sitting down to play. I'm one of the few who has never claimed to be a gamer. My skills ended with Super Nintendo and the only game I ever played, ad nauseum, was Dr. Mario. It's a mindless game; and, for me, not thinking is relaxation. Knowing nothing about controllers or the strategy of wiping out hordes of enemies, I sat down, coffee and cigarettes by my side, thinking I would go through the training mission a few times and then kick ass. I was wrong. So wrong, in fact, I quit playing the game. My left hand was so out of control, I fell off of buildings, failed to save anyone and died ten or twenty times. I had a headache and I didn't care whether or not the world was saved. Any gaming aficionado will tell you that it takes time and practice. My frustration level was high. I wasn't having fun. I made mistakes. Everyone laughed at me; and, rightfully so. My expectations weren't realistic.

Why am I telling you this? Today, I sat down at the XBox and began to play. When I finally struggled through the first level, without running headlong off a building, I had an epiphany. I realized there was a correlation between learning how to play and learning how to sell.

Don't make the mistake in thinking your lack of sales is anyone's fault. Every board I visit is filled with the notion that there's too much free stuff, the corporate giants are greedy, everyone is shaving, stealing and a whole plethora of reasons for you not making sales.

Blame takes way too much energy. Look in the mirror. If you're not making bank, it's because you don't know what you're doing. For those of you who came from mainstream, remember your first day on the job. Computer geeks learn very quickly that what they learned from books rarely applies. Methodologies taught from a book serve only as a guide for "on the job reality". Everyone entering a business is lacking. This biz, as with every other business, is one where survival of the fittest applies. That's why there is a period of time when you don't have sales.

Here's the truth, according to Raven. The day you crossed over from surfer to Webmaster was your entry into porn college. There will be a period of time, called the false honeymoon, where you believe in your abilities. After all, you were a primo surfer. You know what you like. You're going to create a website that will bring in millions. Your website will be like no other. Finding a free host with sponsor content that gives you a woody, you begin to build sites. You upload, settle back and wait for your sales to skyrocket. When nothing happens, reality rears its ugly head. You're about to flunk out of college and you have no clue why. There's no money coming. As an aside, this article will not mention that your computer is wholly unsuited for site creation or that your hardware is not necessarily compatible with the software essential for resource hog programs; that webmastering is work, not play.

Veteran webmasters often put in twelve to sixteen hours a day. Every day. But, that's for another article. You've got too much on your plate, becoming aware of your deficiencies for the here and now.

It's a humbling experience to realize you don't know anything about sales or marketing. Carve this in stone. We are ALL in sales. Webmaster resource boards are the university libraries, filled with the knowledge from those who passed the course before you. Use them. Learn the basics. Knowledge is a powerful tool. Gather it. Listen to those who've been there. Practise. Research. Build. Tweak. Make mistakes. Do it again. And, again. And, again. Until one day, it clicks. Or, it doesn't. That's when it's time to re-evaluate your presence as an adult webmaster. Not everyone is cut out to be a doctor, lawyer, Indian chief, gamer or a salesperson! There are those who are perfectly suited for this business. If you're not prepared for the long hours, isolation, lack of community support, secrecy, or the law always hounding us, it's advisable to keep your day job. If you can't figure out the fine art of manipulating a surfer to buy your product, find another profession.

I may never be a gamer. After several months of trying, I may have to face facts and realise that my left hand will never be able to use the controller properly. I'll have to put in my time and effort and see if things begin to click. Or not.