As I've mentioned in previous posts, Pete Caputa of HubSpot has been leading the charge on his new vision for inbound networking. This new model expands the advantages of inbound marketing to those very small business owners who are resource-strapped.
And since then, he's been leading a weekly discussion with a group of inbound marketing leaders to flesh out the idea and see if it has merit. There's been a lot of participation, curiosity and willingness to experiment.
A couple weeks later, Pete announced he was going to put his money where his mouth is, and would be launching an Inbound Networking group site to prove the viability of the idea. He's focused on creating a site for inbound marketing agencies and has four members committed and was aiming for 10 to get started.
Next thing you know, High Mobley starts his first inbound networking member site.
Which gave the rest of us a kick in the you-know-what to get going. Not to mention how much Pete's been guiding us, coaching us, challenging us and cheering us on.
So here we are a couple of months down the road and wham! the roller coaster ride has begun. Dale Berkebile of Brandwise and Jeff Mason of Hero Design Studio start playing in the sandbox. Rick Roberge throws out a challenge and offers the "Rainmaker" variation of inbound networking.
Then, Pete announces he's going to hire an editor for his site. Fascinated by all this, and having started my own inbound networking member site, I threw my hat in the ring, never dreaming that he'd even call me.
Well, call he did. We talked at length about what he was looking for in an editor for this site. He grilled me hard (I was nicely charred on the outside and pink on the inside by the time he finished) and then it was my turn to grill him. At the end of our conversation, Pete hired me as his editor for this new site and I was stunned. Happily so. I feel honored because there are scores of excellent copywriters and editors within the HubSpot community and I was relatively new to it. With such big expectations to meet, I'll be working hard not to let anyone down.
I feel very passionately about Pete's new vision. I've worked on and off over the last 20 years coaching and consulting with very small businesses. I have a tremendous respect for these entrepreneurs. They represent the backbone of American society. They are the embodiment of the American Dream. And as corny as this may sound to you, that moves me deeply. Because the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are basic to us all -- no matter what country we live in.
While I didn't intend for this to become a flag-waving, mushy discourse, I truly believe in people like Pete, Rick Roberge, the folks at HubSpot, and all of you who work hard to champion and help these very small businesses be successful. You inspire me. Together we can make a significant and positive difference.
After all, what could be more gratifying than helping others be successful?
I hope you'll subscribe to Pete's Collaborative Growth Network blog, and follow us along on our journey as we explore, experiment and perfect the art and science of inbound networking.
I especially encourage you to drop Pete a line on his blog or tweet him and lend him your support and encouragement. All too often leaders like Pete take the arrows in the back because they're out front leading the charge. It would be nice if we could also find ways to thank him for all his efforts.
To paraphrase Bette Davis, "Fasten your seatbelts, it's gonna be a heck of a ride."
