The little guy. Often, they are the unheard voice in every industry. However, they have the most impact in any industry when it comes to improving a service or  increasing the bottom line, with some of them becoming industry leaders due to their innovations and motivation. Now lets focus on the Domain Industry. Why is it that successful people/businesses ignore or do not place any value to the little guy’s words, advice, or opinions? Is it realistic to think that the little guy has nothing to bring to the table? There have been many instances if businesses/Mr Big listened to the little guy, that future success would have grown exponentially. The little guy’s voice may have a lot of  value if you train yourself to listen and think outside of the box/norm.

This is an article that I have wanted to publish for quite some time. Michael Berkens, the author of the popular blog, thedomains.com, inspired me to finally publish it with his latest article. Michael shared some great insight about the great one’s making mistakes. Guess what, everyone makes them whether your famous, successful or a failure. What I find important IMO, is that you learn from your mistakes, and those mistakes of others to help you on your path to live a successful life. Many people take history for granted and continue to make the same mistakes, its unfortunate. History provides all the answers in one shape or form IMO. By the way, Kevin from Bigticketdomains.com had a great comment that ties into this post that I hope Conferences start to execute. Anyways, moving along………

When I first launched this blog back in November 2007, I had short term goals to share information I came across regarding geodomains and to build a network that would assist others looking for assistance. As the blog grew in popularity within the domain industry, I was attacked both offline and online by many successful domainers for sharing my thoughts on geodomains. Things got so bad at one point with the direct attacks on my credibility being a little guy, that I almost gave up on the whole game plan. All I wanted to do was capture targeted readership interest by sharing articles and my opinion on geodomains. However, several big guys had a problem with it, as posted in many forums and on other blogs.

This scenario happens everyday, in every industry, minus the blog and forum drama. The little guy is hardly ever given opportunity to become successful without confrontation or being black listed. Especially, if they challenge how things have been done historically. Very few people like change. Almost every little guy with promise and potential brings ideals, opinions, and innovation, which result in change. I believe this is why most are challenged, ignored, and or black listed.

Why do many successful domainers and businesses in the industry treat the little guy as if they have nothing of value to contribute? Is arrogance a factor? I have no clue as to their reasoning. If we look at the most basic thing as an example, such as blogs, the little guy leaves the majority of the comments. Comments are what truly make a blog successful in case you did not know. However, you will hardly find any of the top bloggers or top domainers posting comments in any of the smaller blogs. Why is that? Is it really possible that no one else writes anything useful in the domain industry?

I find it a bit crazy. This of course is my opinion. The internet is evolving rapidly as consumers are now dictating what they want to use it for. I can honestly tell you, that some of the smartest guys on the internet are in the domain space. However, most of them are unknown because they are the “little guy” and have not been given opportunity.  Very few big timers and businesses want to associate with the little guy. It is only when you make it big that everyone wants to become an associate and support you. Unfortunately, once you become successful and  big time, the less support you need! Crazy world we live in.

Being the little guy has been a challenging, yet educational battle for me, but it has also been rewarding. I can only imagine how tuff it is for others in the same boat. What started out as a simple blog from the little guy, has turned out to become a platform to impact the domain industry. Geodomains are mainstream on almost all of the domain industry’s major platforms in 2009. Who would have imagined? Only the little guy.

I’ll invest time in anyone who shows promise and potential, regardless of their level of success. The “little guys” can be some of the most valuable people to invest your time in. I do it weekly via emails and phone calls. What matters to me most is being exposed to a different way of thinking that will assist me in becoming a well rounded business leader. Business is always evolving. You always have to keep in mind that all the big guys/gals in the world, were once the little guy. Someone listened to them along the way based on their promise and potential.

In closing, I would like to leave you with a few thoughts to digest.

TO THE LITTLE GUY: The level of your success should not be measured based off another person’s success or opinions. Each journey is a unique traveled path. I recommend you identify your goals, commit to them, and then measure your success based on how your goals were executed. The key is to learn from your failures and not repeat the same mistakes. If you stay true to yourself and committed to your game plan, you will become successful. You do not need anyone to tell you that you are successful. You are the only person who knows what you started with. Continue to stay focused and fight the little guy battle. Hard work pays off eventually.

TO THE BIG GUY: Next time you find yourself discarding the little guy, take a few seconds to ask yourself this one question, Would you have become successful if everyone discarded you when you were the little guy? Of course, their are a few macho business gurus who will tell you that they did it all on their own. However, the honest truth is people make people successful in business. No one does it alone. Open up your minds and listen to the little guys/gals that show promise and potential. They just might become founders that effect an internet industry, such as Jack Dorsey, Mark Zuckerberg, Tom Anderson, Frank Schilling, Kevin Ham, and the list goes on and on. One thing is certain, the “little guy” will never forget you when they become “big” and popular online.

I leave you with this motivational quote:

“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.”
Oprah Winfrey

Signing off, The little guy,
Steve