July 6 2016

Bowing Out

Marketing

5  comments

Friends,

This is something that has been brewing for some time, and probably won’t come as a big surprise if you’ve been following me for a while.

Basically, I have decided to retire from the business of online marketing / web design.

Why? Because it is no longer a complete expression of who I AM, and there is an urge to do something more that I just can’t shake off.

I’ll explain the reasons more below, but first let me give you an outline of what’s going to happen from here:

  1. I’ve asked my good friend and colleague Brian McFarlane to take over the management of Web Design from Scratch.com. Brian is an outstanding marketer who really *gets it*, and he will help build the site’s presence in a way that it deserves. WDFS is a great asset, but I have not given it the attention it has needed (that’s a sign in itself). You can expect to hear some exciting news from Brian and other great marketers in the near future.
  2. I have taken down the WDFS Premium restrictions, because that also didn’t get the attention it needed, so that content is now freely accessible. Anyone who has been subscribing… please go ahead and cancel your subscription now. (However, watch out for my next thing, as I’ll offer you a discount on that as a thank you for your support.)
  3. I will still be writing, and I’ll remain on hand as editor-in-chief, to provide what support I can to WDFS and Open Source Marketing.

More on why…

For several years, I have been bashing my head against a wall, trying to make something happen that I thought I should do… Some kind of ethical and fair reinvention of the online marketing model that could involve a flexible network of specialists using a new profit-sharing model.

Great in principle, but (as my inner circle friends will be only too aware) never managed to see the light of day.

For a while, I told myself that the reason why I never realized that new business model was because I was either too lazy, or lacked the ability to manage.

But I now know that’s bullshit.

I now believe the real reason it never happened is because it wasn’t supposed to. Without getting too woo-woo on you, it feels like a voice has been getting louder in me, pushing me in a different direction.

As my “Finding Your Why” essay suggests, that true path or calling has always been there, and has been expressing itself through various projects and achievements…

Web design, copywriting, usability, conversion optimization, branding and positioning, ethical marketing… ALL this stuff is an expression of what I’m REALLY about… which is

“to explore and to share ways we can do things better together”

Lying beneath all those symptoms and expressions there has always been something deeper. And the truth is that none of those things has been a true, full expression of that one thing.

So I have decided to take the plunge into the one thing. If I don’t, I’ll keep going round the same carousel ride, ignoring the increasingly loud messages from (the Universe?)

Next question: What is my ultimate expression (right now) of exploring and sharing ways we can do things better??

Right now.. it’s this! It’s what I’m doing myself. It’s what I’m writing to you about in this letter..

If you go through my Circuit Questionnaire, you’ll pick up that the essence of what I want to help people or brands discover is their magnificent and unique gift that they can offer the world. (And, to be totally honest, I get a lot more excited about doing that exploration with people than with brands!)

That’s what this is… It’s the process of discovering and manifesting the BEST that we can be. Stepping into our true calling, which will not only be what will deliver personal fulfilment and happiness, but will also allow us to give the most we can to the world.

Now that I write it down, I can see how everything has been pointing this way.

Do I know exactly how it is going to pan out? No, of course not! If I did, I wouldn’t be on my edge, I’d be playing it safe!

Am I scared? Yes.

But I’m excited too.. and right now I know that some of you guys on my list will share that excitement…

Because you may be one of those folks who have felt this gnawing doubt, probably for several years, that there’s something more that you’re supposed to do… But you don’t know what it is!

So that’s where I’m going to invest my energy next. With pride and humility I’m handing over other areas of my business to people who have more drive and commitment than I can offer, so that I can create something to try to help other people (like you) to step into the life you truly want.

Briefly, I’m sketching out a program to deliver exactly that, in partnership with two other amazing facilitators. I don’t know exactly what form it will take, but I know it will be unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced, and I know it will be an experiment, a step into the unknown. If you’re interested to know more, please email me back.

There will be more to follow in the next few days. If you’ve read this far, thank you! I don’t take your attention for granted, and I truly hope I can continue to serve you in new ways.

With love, your friend,
Ben

About the author 

Ben Hunt

My job is to look at the world and wonder... "How should we live?"

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  1. Hi Ben,
    It’s a very brave step your taking, there are probably millions of people who can relate to what your saying. The fact that your doing this has motivated myself into action. Please keep me posted.

    Thanks for your honesty and open attitude (very refreshing )

    Barrie

    1. Thanks Barrie. Are you on my mailing list? If not, go to benhunt.com/books and sign up.

      These certainly are interesting times!

  2. Sorry to hear that but one must follow the path to one’s success. I just signed up today (Aug. 13, 2016) and will be reviewing your material over the next few months. Good Luck, God’s blessings.

  3. This almost has an uncanny feel to it, I have been looking at the field of online marketing for a bout 5 years seriously, building my skills and offering these to local and international business – but it does not really fill the brief of what I really want to do. so yep I can certainly relate!

  4. It sounds like you’ve really found your ‘why’ Ben, so exciting for you!

    Really looking forward to the things your working on.

    It’s refreshing and encouraging to read about you and your friends that see a way to promote ethical marketing and share knowledge while making a living from businesses that can afford to pay, love it.

    In my business I find it so exasperating, depressing, frustrating with all the unethical behaviour I see and I love seeing that there are others out there who feel the same way.

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