Chasing ‘Passion Players’

“Passion Players” is my term for people who effectively leverage the Internet to have success online.

We’ve all heard to call to “follow your passion”. Today, many people are using the internet to do just that.

A whole host of people – from adventurer Alastair Humphreys to stay-at-home mom Erin Birch to self-help guru Brendon Burchard and millionaire internet marketer Shaqir Hussyin – are turning their passion into a platform for success.

People like guitar teacher Michael Palmisano, pictured above.

SELF HELP GURU

Take Brendon Burchard. He would not be where he is today as one of the leading self-help gurus without the internet – and his effective methods of leveraging this communication tool to reach millions of people around the world.

I am currently chasing “Passion Players” for a book I am writing that highlights the opportunities, challenges and warnings for those seeking to turn their passion into a business or a following, or to boost their career.

The book is called: “Passion Platform: How Creative People Leverage The Internet For Success” and is due out in 2018.

WARNINGS

Just check around and you can find great stories of success – but there are also warnings.

Just because you are passionate about something does not mean that you will be able to make a business or career out of it.

Maybe you are mad about baseball but your skills are not top class.

Maybe you are mad about painting and drawing but you are not at a standard of creativity where you can sell your work.

Beware too those seeking to go viral on Youtube to make money through advertising. Nine times out of ten, those who build a viral following do so because their passion comes through – not necessarily because they set out with the intent to make money.

CONTRARY ADVICE

American TV show host Mike Rowe actually argues that young people should not follow their dream.

The host of “The Dirty Jobs” show says young people should aim for practical and useful skills, not aim for a dreamy vision that may not pan out.

Become a plumber or electrician or a hospital nurse, argues Mr Rowe.

Take American Idol. Thousands try to get on this show. But how many people actually go on to make a career out of their passion? The “fail rate” is high.

We all remember British singing star Susan Boyle or violinist and singer Lindsay Stirling who both can credit their viral success to the internet and TV. But there are thousands of wannabes who fall by the wayside.

BLOGGER’S SUCCESS

Sometimes people become successful by accident. Popular blogger Yaro Starak tells me he had some success online through small businesses before starting a blog on how to leverage the internet. He started it out of interest and passion to convey his findings – and today he lives the “laptop lifestyle” just working a few hours a day.

From my investigations and interviews with successful “Passion Players” it is clear there are paths and skills that provide people with the opportunity to build a business or career using the internet.
My book, my website and my blog aim to look at what works and what does not.

This is a journey of exploration – and it’s going to be fun, fascinating and potentially lucrative.

Stay tuned!