The Narrow Path

Dear Entrepreneur:

Im glad to see youre still on the path to success. Many have begun this journey at the same time as you but have dropped off by the way side. Some were too weary to go on. Some lost hope along the way and others took the wrong path and detoured into trying to get rich quick, offering scams and other unethical procedures. But you are persevering step after step on the road to your success.

Perhaps youve reached that fork in the road where you have to make another choice in deciding which direction to go. Youve built your web page and sent your web address all over the web world. This may have generated some sales but maybe not what you expected. It may be time to step off the broad path and enter onto the narrow path.

What is the narrow path? The narrow path is the point where you realize the whole world is not your market. You may believe in your product so much that youre thinking the whole world does need your product or service, but unfortunately they dont. Even if you were selling water, which is something everyone needs, your market is not the whole world. Some people want tap water, some distilled water, some spring water, some ice water and some may want to live by the water and go out to the well or brook everyday and get it straight from the source. So you see, you must take this turn down the narrow path.

Ive hit this point myself. As a person selling what I believe to be high-quality gift or specialty items and vitamins and herbs, I thought my market was much larger than it really is. You tell me who doesnt want to buy nice things and take extra care of their bodies. Well, some people want to get things from very a variety of souces such as getting their nutrition from supplements, others want to eat the healthiest foods possible and some just dont think it takes all that to remain healthy. So off Ive gone down the narrow path.

What do you do on the narrow path? You start an ezine or newsletter. You allow people who are specifically interested in your product or service to sign up one by one and refer others to you along the way. This path is a slower pace. You offer advise, guidance, new information to groups of people who look forward to hearing from you. This path is rewarding. You can now focus your attention on the details of your products or service. The question is not what will interest this group or that group. It all will be interesting on your new path.

Was it necessary to take the broader path? Yes. The narrow path doesnt begin at the beginning of the journey. The broader path brings name recognition and site popularity but after youve gather in some customers you come to realize you cant be everything to all people. Its at that point when the fork in the road appears and you choose to step off onto the narrow path.

We dont all reach this path at the same time. Some reading this right now still feel they can sell water to a fish. Thats ok for now.


When the time is right
Resist the temptation to fight
Put the narrow path in sight
And reach for a new height.

Its time to run a new race
One with a different pace
So put a smile on your face
And turn with grace

Down the narrow path.

Sincerely,

Jenean

The Narrow Path © 2000 Jenean Matthews.

About the author.

Jenean Matthews is a businesswoman who believes in encouraging and helping others to accomplish their dreams. She believes people can overcome obstacles, rise to any occasion, and accomplish their entire dream with enough faith. She can be found accomplishing her dream at 1stshoppingavenue.com or subscribe to the newsletter for chances to win free gifts salespaper-subscribe@topica.com

jenean@justice.com
http://www.1stshoppingavenue.com