This morning, I read a post in FB group for bloggers. The original poster mentioned time being more valuable than money.
I couldn’t wait to jump in the comments to high five the person. It’s one of those opinions that feel like a fact. Nearly an unarguable truth.
Time isn’t renewable. Sure, it can be commoditized, and it can be traded. But the value of time is set high above any other thing in a professional’s toolkit by the fact that when it’s gone, it’s gone permanently.
In my research on successful internet-based businesses, I’ve noticed a lot of discussion about generating attention. Among advice on creating income streams are things like building an email list, giving away small bites of good information, publishing regular high-quality content, asking for feedback, etc. One common theme among all of these practices is the ask for time.
You’re asking readers of your content for their time. Attend my course. Watch my tutorials. Read my blog post. Read my email. Comment if you relate to this. I could go on. My point is that what you’re asking for is a portion of someone’s most valuable asset.
Trading for the most valuable asset: time
In that light, you have to provide something for which that audience is willing to trade their precious time. I don’t say that to scare myself out of becoming a successful, income-generating blogger.
I guess I say it out loud to remind myself that a mediocre showing in content, schedule, or medium will not cut it. The internet ecosystem is ripe with information, but it’s also overripe with average.
It makes sense to me that if I treat the time I’m asking from the people I serve like the rare asset it is, then I’ll bring my A-game when creating.