In late May, I went on a three-day cycling trip in southern Colorado. I got to see some amazing places, including Pagosa Springs, Wolf Creek Pass, La Veta, Cuchara, and even Chama, New Mexico.
As I was grinding my way up steep mountain passes, I had a lot of time to think. And I began comparing marketing to bicycling. Here are some of the lessons I learned.
Hitting the Road: Kevin, Rick, Bruce & I get ready
to drive to southern Colorado.
Lesson #1: Consistency Is Key
Question: How do you climb more than 14,000 vertical feet in 3 days on a bicycle?
Answer: One pedal rotation at a time.
It really is that simple. You just grind it out. Set your sights on an object you can see in the distance and commit to pedaling until you get there.
After you’ve achieved that mini-goal, pick another object you can see. Keep pedaling until you get there. Next thing you know, you’ve eaten up miles of road almost without realizing it.
It’s the same way with marketing.
Marketing is not an event. It is a process. And so the spoils of marketing go to those with endurance. You have to consistently take action over time to see results.
The Pay-Off: Kevin & me at the top of Cuchara Pass.
Lesson #2: You’ve Got to Work Hard for the Pay-Off
When you’re climbing up a mountain pass, it’s hard work. Sometimes you might be going uphill for 1-2 hours straight without a single downhill section.
But when you get the top, what an awesome feeling that is!
I remember back in 2001 when I did The Triple Bypass. After climbing Squaw Pass, Loveland Pass, and Vail Pass, I got to enjoy more than 20 miles of downhill into the small town of Avon.
But I had to go 100 miles before I reached the “pay off.”
It’s the same in marketing. You’ve got to work at it. You’ll have moments when you’re coasting and moments when you’ve got to put your nose to the grindstone. But if you stick with it and focus on doing what works, you’ll eventually experience that “pay off” moment.
Cottage in the Trees: Ahh, peace and quiet.
Lesson #3: Take Time to Rest
Day 1: 46 miles
Day 2: 63 miles
Day 3: 37 miles
The only way you can have the strength to keep going when you’re logging miles like this is to make sure your body has sufficient rest.
After each day of riding (especially Day 2), I was exhausted. All I wanted was to sit and eat. So that’s what I did. Lots of sitting and lots of eating. And, of course, some good conversation to pass the time.
Each night my body began to shut down about 9 p.m. I got to bed early and allowed my body to recover before the next day of riding.
Marketers need “down time” too. You can’t stay plugged in 24/7. It kills your creativity, your passion, and your drive to get things done.
Just like your body, your brain needs rest. It needs time to digest information and clear out the tangle of information strung up in your gray matter.
Unfortunately, with Twitter and iPhones and WiFi, it’s hard to get away.
But you’ve got to get away.
So be deliberate about unplugging from the grid. Give yourself structured down time… and watch your creativity, focus, and productivity soar.
-Ryan M. Healy
Similar Posts:
- How I Overcome Inertia
- Just One Penny
- Summer in the Rockies
- What a Nasty Rash Taught Me about Marketing
- Proof that Hard Work Is a Legitimate Selling Appeal
About Ryan M. Healy
Ryan Healy is a direct response copywriter. Since 2002, he has worked with scores of clients, including BoostCTR, Alex Mandossian, Terry Dean, and Pulte Homes. He writes a popular blog about copywriting, advertising, and business growth, has been featured in publications like Feed Front magazine, and is a regular contributor to WordStream.com, BoostCTR.com, and MarketingForSuccess.com.
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{ 15 comments }
Man, Ryan, I have to say…you have been knocking it out of the PARK lately.
You should know…I am on all the lists. I read all this marketing and copywriting stuff until my eyes are bloody every night.
But over the past couple of weeks, everything I’ve seen come my way with Ryan Healy’s name attached has stood a cut above the rest.
Your “14 days” report is the first and only product I’ve found in two whole years which inspired me to finally close the gap and set up an affiliate system to get the ball rolling.
You have produced excellent, concise, usable information. And I’m always done reading with enough time left over to act on your advice.
That is like money in the bank, my friend. You absolutely rock.
Thank you for your work, sincerely.
Seth
PS. I thought your “Copywriting Clients in 14 Days” report was plenty, but now you’re cranking out these videos and I’m glued to the screen. But thanks to you, now I’m almost too busy to read anything else!
Ryan,
Good advice. Thanks for the reminder.
- John
Ryan,
Good advice. Thanks for the reminder.
- John
Ryan,
Good advice. Thanks for the reminder.
- John
Man, Ryan, I have to say…you have been knocking it out of the PARK lately.
You should know…I am on all the lists. I read all this marketing and copywriting stuff until my eyes are bloody every night.
But over the past couple of weeks, everything I’ve seen come my way with Ryan Healy’s name attached has stood a cut above the rest.
Your “14 days” report is the first and only product I’ve found in two whole years which inspired me to finally close the gap and set up an affiliate system to get the ball rolling.
You have produced excellent, concise, usable information. And I’m always done reading with enough time left over to act on your advice.
That is like money in the bank, my friend. You absolutely rock.
Thank you for your work, sincerely.
Seth
PS. I thought your “Copywriting Clients in 14 Days” report was plenty, but now you’re cranking out these videos and I’m glued to the screen. But thanks to you, now I’m almost too busy to read anything else!
Man, Ryan, I have to say…you have been knocking it out of the PARK lately.
You should know…I am on all the lists. I read all this marketing and copywriting stuff until my eyes are bloody every night.
But over the past couple of weeks, everything I’ve seen come my way with Ryan Healy’s name attached has stood a cut above the rest.
Your “14 days” report is the first and only product I’ve found in two whole years which inspired me to finally close the gap and set up an affiliate system to get the ball rolling.
You have produced excellent, concise, usable information. And I’m always done reading with enough time left over to act on your advice.
That is like money in the bank, my friend. You absolutely rock.
Thank you for your work, sincerely.
Seth
PS. I thought your “Copywriting Clients in 14 Days” report was plenty, but now you’re cranking out these videos and I’m glued to the screen. But thanks to you, now I’m almost too busy to read anything else!
Hey Ryan,
Way to go on the “freewheeling” good ride. I used to log about 20+ miles per day…every day. But I’ve gotten out of the biking rotation in the past few years.
I like the biking/copywriting analogy; especially since you biked in the mountains. And in the writing biz sometimes it can seem like there’s nothing but the uphill side of the mountains.
John Angelache’s video (#2 in your series) is a very good resource for researching and actually finding new clients who “buy” copy service. I’ll be taking that action step shortly.
Keep up the great work,
Tony
Hey Ryan,
Way to go on the “freewheeling” good ride. I used to log about 20+ miles per day…every day. But I’ve gotten out of the biking rotation in the past few years.
I like the biking/copywriting analogy; especially since you biked in the mountains. And in the writing biz sometimes it can seem like there’s nothing but the uphill side of the mountains.
John Angelache’s video (#2 in your series) is a very good resource for researching and actually finding new clients who “buy” copy service. I’ll be taking that action step shortly.
Keep up the great work,
Tony
Hey Ryan,
Way to go on the “freewheeling” good ride. I used to log about 20+ miles per day…every day. But I’ve gotten out of the biking rotation in the past few years.
I like the biking/copywriting analogy; especially since you biked in the mountains. And in the writing biz sometimes it can seem like there’s nothing but the uphill side of the mountains.
John Angelache’s video (#2 in your series) is a very good resource for researching and actually finding new clients who “buy” copy service. I’ll be taking that action step shortly.
Keep up the great work,
Tony
Hello Ryan,
What An Awesome Read! I wish I had insight like this!
With your permission, I’d like to share this with a group of marketers I’m working with.
I won’t copy it until I hear from you. So Please respond with an email OK?
Thanks
Ruby
Hello Ryan,
What An Awesome Read! I wish I had insight like this!
With your permission, I’d like to share this with a group of marketers I’m working with.
I won’t copy it until I hear from you. So Please respond with an email OK?
Thanks
Ruby
Hello Ryan,
What An Awesome Read! I wish I had insight like this!
With your permission, I’d like to share this with a group of marketers I’m working with.
I won’t copy it until I hear from you. So Please respond with an email OK?
Thanks
Ruby
@Seth – Wow! I’m flattered. Thanks so much for the positive feedback. Keith Goodrum sent me the thread you posted in CopywritersBoard… thank you so much for your support.
@John – You’re welcome.
@Tony – I just rode 26 miles yesterday morning. It was bike to work day. Since I don’t have a job, I biked to Panera Bread for breakfast and back. :-)
(But 26 miles in town is a piece of cake compared to the same mileage in the mountains.)
Glad you’ve enjoyed the videos. There’s more yet to come!
@Ruby – Thank you for your compliment. I just sent you an email. I’m more than happy for you to share or distribute my articles. Please include a link back to this web site as the source. Thanks!
@Seth – Wow! I’m flattered. Thanks so much for the positive feedback. Keith Goodrum sent me the thread you posted in CopywritersBoard… thank you so much for your support.
@John – You’re welcome.
@Tony – I just rode 26 miles yesterday morning. It was bike to work day. Since I don’t have a job, I biked to Panera Bread for breakfast and back. :-)
(But 26 miles in town is a piece of cake compared to the same mileage in the mountains.)
Glad you’ve enjoyed the videos. There’s more yet to come!
@Ruby – Thank you for your compliment. I just sent you an email. I’m more than happy for you to share or distribute my articles. Please include a link back to this web site as the source. Thanks!
@Seth – Wow! I’m flattered. Thanks so much for the positive feedback. Keith Goodrum sent me the thread you posted in CopywritersBoard… thank you so much for your support.
@John – You’re welcome.
@Tony – I just rode 26 miles yesterday morning. It was bike to work day. Since I don’t have a job, I biked to Panera Bread for breakfast and back. :-)
(But 26 miles in town is a piece of cake compared to the same mileage in the mountains.)
Glad you’ve enjoyed the videos. There’s more yet to come!
@Ruby – Thank you for your compliment. I just sent you an email. I’m more than happy for you to share or distribute my articles. Please include a link back to this web site as the source. Thanks!
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