Question

Topic: Just for Fun

Are You A Torchbearer?

Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 8/16/2004 at 9:53 AM ET 500 Points
I was reading an interesting article by Seth Godin this morning and thought everyone could benefit.

Here's the link: https://sethgodin.typepad.com/.

So what's the question? Are you a TorchBearer? If not, do you know someone who is?

Second, Why do you think this article was posted? It was written 4 years ago...so why now? Do you see the strategy?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 8/16/2004 at 10:18 AM Accepted
    My torchbearer gene lay dormant for decades, and I never gave it a second thought. It was awakened 2 years ago, when I became a mom. Now, nothing--parenting, career, house, family--seems impossible.
  • Posted by Carl Crawford on 8/16/2004 at 10:43 AM Accepted
    Good morning jett, it is 1.40 am in new zealand so i am about to go to sleep soon,

    well on to your question:

    I am not a torch bearer but am willing to give it a try, i think they posted this because the olympics have just started and they cant be bothered writing a new artical when they already have a perfectly good one sitting there.

    it also might be the fact that (in my opinion) the 2000 olympics were the best ever.

    but i do grant you that the 2004 Athens olympics have just started.

    hope this helps,

    have a nice day and watch out for my profile in the news letter coming soon.

    Sweetasman01
  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 8/16/2004 at 11:26 AM Accepted
    Jett,

    I am a Torchbearer and I also know other Torchbearers like yourself. The purpose is to rekindle the olympic spirit in the corporate sense. It works for this time frame and the strategy is to get attention using a theme that is current and common. Thanks. Is there anything else I can do for you?

    Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE (Customer Passion Evangelist)
  • Posted by Pepper Blue on 8/16/2004 at 1:34 PM Accepted
    If I go by Seth's 5 characteristics of a torchbearer, I fall short on a couple, but make up for them by overexceeding in others.

    I think I am a torchbearer because by virtue of owning my own company I think it makes one a torchbearer whether you want to be or not.

    However, whether or not one is a successful torchbearer depends on if you carry the torch to your planned destination without dropping it or having it extinguish and this is something that you can only determine over a period of time.

    Why did he publish it? - because it was timely and he didn't have to come up with new content.

    Also, Seth is probably in Athens right now, so he didn't have the time.
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 8/16/2004 at 1:48 PM Author
    Great feedback everyone!

    I'm going to send Seth an email and ask him to comment, but here is what I think:

    I find it hard to believe Seth was out of content. Rather, I think this was an SEO strategy combined with posting a good article that is relevant to current affairs. You see, Seth just won a Click Z award for "Best Blog" or something. He is tremendously popular (people are flying from all over the world and paying $1000 a pop for his seminars), and is VERY aware of keeping the blog website up in the high ranks. What a better way than to post an article with enough keywords relative to current events...especially the Olympics!

    Now, using the words "olympics" and "Torchbearer" in google didn't show Seth's blog yet (it was just released this morning), but if you search for "Seth" under any of those (why would you?), he pops up.

    Anyway, I thought it was a powerful article with some examples of strategic placement, timing, etc.

  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 8/16/2004 at 8:46 PM Author
    Jason-

    Thanks for your observations. He could very well be tracking RSS feeds. I believe he is too savvy to just post "something" out of haste or lack of content. Plus, I agree with your comment about him not posting at all if he lacked something to talk about. If you look at the dates of his posts, they are somewhat irregular.

    Sweetasman01- I'll look for your profile in the newsletter. Congrats on getting some props homey!!

    Jose - What can I say? A classy post as usual. I'm glad you came onboard. I really enjoy your posts...and questions (even if we had a little disagreement about medicine..LOL).

    Tim - You are a torchbearer...no doubt about it. I think the difference between being one and just a business owner is the drive to keep going no matter what. A lot of people would have given up long ago if after going through the trials we have in order to make it this far.

    JB- Good Point! They probably are everywhere and as Jose mentioned, perhaps that quality exisist in all of us...it's just a matter of unlocking it. I think it ties into courage, temperament, and motivation. There has to be a goal worth fighting for...and someone willing to fight for it.

    Ricky - I feel ya. Managing my business along with my 2 year old boy is quite the challenge. The key is for us not to make excuses (not that you are). If we want something bad enough, we will find a way to make it happen and still maintain our home life. It may take some creativity and sacrifice, but where there's a will, there's a way! Thanks for your comments!!!!

    Deremiah - We KNOW you are a torchbearer for sure! Where do you get the energy to be so positive all the time? No need to answer...I already know. Thanks man!
  • Posted by SRyan ;] on 8/16/2004 at 11:44 PM Accepted
    Blaine, I am a torchbearer who might require doping if I don't see the easier side of the hill soon!

    Thanks for sharing the blog link...
  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 8/17/2004 at 12:08 AM Member
    Shelley,

    Please don't do that.... You promised you wouldn't go there. "not the buttons, Not the Gum Drop BUTTONS". (LOL)

    Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE (Customer Passion Evangelist)
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 8/17/2004 at 1:03 PM Author
    Jose- No problem! You may have noticed I am not opposed to a good debate...even if it gets a bit "hot" in here!

  • Posted by SteveByrneMarketing on 8/17/2004 at 3:52 PM Accepted
    Thanks for this post Blaine, I enjoyed reading Seth’s article. It helped me recognize I need to be picking up the torch again.

    - Steve

    P.S. I agree with your analysis of the timing of this article’s reposting.
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 8/17/2004 at 6:31 PM Author
    Steve - You are welcome! Perhaps we should thank Seth Godin! Take care.
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