Success secrets are everywhere if you know how to recognize them. In an article about "American Idol" at CNN, the writer mused that in previous years, the age limit was 24. The age limit was increased to 28, and 6 of this year's top 10 are 25+ The article went on to say that Barry Manilow (59) is beating Black Eyed Peas (young group) on the charts. Madonna, at 47, is still the dance music chart-topper. Then TVT Records founder Steve Gottlieb dropped the winning line when he said; "No one gets a free pass, and unique talent trumps everything else." You know, I think that's the mistake a lot of people are making online. You see people hawking "internet marketing" products when they've never made a decent income online themselves. You see people that aren't the picture of health selling health products. You see people that know nothing about Internet Services trying to sell them. I could go on, but you get the point. How does your talent, knowledge and passion stack up against others that have talent, knowledge and passion in your field? Passion, knowledge and talent (skill) walk hand in hand with success and longevity. No one gets a free pass. Do you have a unique talent for what you do? Food for thought?

I agree Linda. With all those marketers jump into all kinds of niches... The winners will be the ones with unique contents, unique concepts and all the factors needed to be Unique! This way they can separate themselves from other competitors. And this is where passion, knowledge and talent come in, right? You've got to have all these to be different and win the competition.

Hello Linda, Thanks for this post. I believe in talent. But talent needs to be harnessed, trained, and honed well so that it may find its full potential. Also, motivation is also important. I see many talented people who're not motivated enough to use their talent. I believe what levels the playing field is a combination of diligence, perseverance, study, and being positive. When talent is added into that, you do get extraordinary results. But the one without talent will not be really be lagging that far behind. Cheers! Ricardo

Hi, Linda I don't know whether I agree with the title statement or not. I guess it comes down to a matter of degree. Unless persistence is a unique talent, lol. Take real estate, for example. I have a rare, if not unique, talent for educating my clients about the process of buying or selling a home. The result is that I have very satisfied and loyal clients. However, I have fewer of them than those who have a talent for finding clients in the first place and could care less about teaching them anything. Stack up my income (as a measure of success) against theirs? Not even close. But I won't say I'm not successful. I've lasted nearly eight years in a business where more than 75% are dropouts within three. It has taken another unique talent, that of being adaptible, to accomplish this. I expect to accomplish the same thing in the world of internet marketing. May not achieve the flashy income or fame (another typical measure of success), definitely will achieve satisfaction because I pay attention to what's important and interesting to me. Maybe that's a unique talent. Cheri

Hi Cheri; ========================================= I have a rare, if not unique, talent for educating my clients about the process of buying or selling a home. The result is that I have very satisfied and loyal clients. However, I have fewer of them than those who have a talent for finding clients in the first place and could care less about teaching them anything. Stack up my income (as a measure of success) against theirs? Not even close. ========================================= Now here's an interesting thought... Madonna has a rare and unique talent in her field. But she also has a manager, agent and PR person that have unique talents in theirs. Together, they make her shine. It's not *just* her. You have a unique talent in educating your clients, which results in higher loyalty than others have. But maybe your unique talent isn't in finding clients. Others have a talent in finding client, but not keeping them. Now... if you had someone that could find clients really easily, and it was mutually beneficial to do so.... the only cap is your imagination. I just got an email from a fellow in another state. His wife is a realtor with a talent much like yours. He is a house painter. They have a really neat deal. She tells people "list your house with me, and I'll have it painted free" He tells people "list your house with my wife, and I'll paint it free." I imagine there are lots of people in industries related to the sale of a home that could come up with some joint offers to help spread the word. People do that all the time in the wedding industry. Book Joe for photos... he recommends Sam for video and Laurie for decorations and so on and so on. They all promote each other as a group and they all have constant exposure. And - they all pass out each other's business cards. Joe meets with a couple to talk photos... and he hands them a bunch of cards and says "these are really good people to work with. Tell them I sent you so you get the white glove treatment..." : ) L