04/29/2003 - 11/09/2007
That’s how long my association with the Internet Marketing Warrior Forum has lasted.
Regretfully, I decided today to put an end to the painful experience forum participation has become for the past few months.
Out of respect for the forum members who might feel it important to know the reasons for my decision, I came up with a short list for why I decided to stop participating on the Warrior Forum in the future.
1. With a ‘command and control’ structure that’s top heavy, it’s too old hat in a Web 2.0 user-driven environment weighted towards community voted content popularity.
2. I don’t have time. Leo Babauta’s excellent ‘Zen to Done’ taught me to trim down on my virtual inboxes. I had to cut down from 10 to 4. Something had to go. WF is one.
3. I’ve paid my dues. For a long time, I felt indebted for all the wonderful things the forum community gave me. And I’ve given back in full measure. We’re even - I think!
4. I’m not wanted. Developed some powerful enemies who are gleeful to see me leave. Let’s make them happy too!
5. The signal to noise ratio has gone down steeply. Too much time and effort had to be wasted plowing through to find the gold. It’s wasteful.
6. I can’t help people like I once used to. All the points mentioned above interfered. And my main reason for sticking on was to help others, so…
7. There’s a ‘generation gap’. The new members are around 20 years old, with a different online culture. I sense the gap - and can’t bridge it easily.
8. I no longer get the same powerful insights or inspiration that was once so often available from forum members.
9. From a purely business ‘return on investment’ perspective, my list and blog have been 3 to 4 times more productive than forum participation over the years.
It was an enjoyable, very productive and satisfying relationship, one I will cherish and nurture for a very long time.
And like all good things, it must end.
So…
Goodbye, Warrior Forum - It was fun!
4 Comments Received
November 10th, 2007 @4:38 pm
Dr. Mani, all I can say is that I’m happy for you. Obviously, we have different sentiments about the Warrior Forum but I bristled at the place for what I experienced as a hive mentality. And there were really just so many more places on the web where people could go and freely speak their minds without concern of retribution of having that “top-heavy” command structure deleting and censoring posts all day.
I know that you have a different style and brand than do I and have to walk a different line in these matters but just the same, I’m glad to see you shed that baggage. In fact, that explains why you seem a little lighter and happier to me than I once imagined.
In the web 2.0/social media world, there’s a lot more room to turn around inside one’s self and so there’s less of the hostility that comes from feeling cramped or “identified.”
Best wishes on your new and lighter direction,
Sam
November 10th, 2007 @10:45 pm
I can’t believe noone responded to this post!
I am so sorry to see you go, Dr. Mani. It’s a shame that people are not able to let themselves be helped by someone like you who has the biggest heart I’ve encountered coupled with knowledge (and willingness to help). Darn shame. For us.
For you I’m sure it’s the right thing to do. Time is so valuable and I’m very impressed to see you cutting down. The Warrior Forum is addictive and very often a waste of time. Watching the various dramas play out…
I’m going to miss you but quite honestly, I’m sure you’re doing the right thing!
Now let’s see if you can stick to your commitment…It’s hard to stay away from that place!
May 9th, 2008 @10:05 pm
I haven’t been around there in quite some time due to staying busy with other things, and when I pop back in I don’t stay as much as I used to. I think that you’re part of a growing trend…there are more useful ways to spend time.
But just out of curiousity…which four inboxes made the cut?
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