3 Things Internet Marketers can Learn from Atheism
I’m an extremely strong atheist and couldn’t believe in evolution and science more, and religion and God less. But, this is an Internet marketing blog so I’m not going to get into detail or start a huge debate about religion, there are better places to do that.
I just happened to be listening to some brilliant Richard Dawkins interviews and felt like making this post.
This post is just drawing from the elements of what I believe defines Atheism.
So, here’s 3 things Internet marketers can learn from Atheism…
1. The Truth is More Captivating than Falsity
So how does this relate to Internet marketing. Well, I think there are a lot of Internet marketers who like to fake it and like the view of ‘fake it till you make it’. Yes, you can quite easily, convincingly fake it. But I think the truth is so much better.
- I’d rather read a real story of how a man made $1,000 as apposed to a fake story about how a man made $1,000,000.
- I’d rather read about a struggling Internet marketer drawing from his real experiences as apposed to an Internet marketer drawing from imaginary scenarios and figures.
I think it just undermines and cheapens what we as intelligent human beings should stand for, in the quest for real understanding and progression. Just like I believe religion does the same.
Be truthful, no matter how much you think people will neglect you because of it. If you only make $1 a day. Say that. Don’t lie to try and boost your profile because it will come back and bite you.
2. Facts Speak for Themself
Just like biological facts of advancement, or any significant fact relating to our existence. Facts need no debate.
In Internet marketing terms, facts are also very useful. Although I think it’s much better to create a site on something you’re passionate or knowledgeable about as apposed to a site directed purely at profit only. I think it’s equally important to still take into consideration, facts.
If you’ve spent two years on a site about something you love yet even in your best efforts cannot make a penny with it, I think you have to eventually throw in the towel and move on. The ‘never give up’ motto is nice but in reality, you only live so long. Learn to let things go if they are clearly not going anywhere. Learn from your failures.
Although, I do think there’s nearly no excuse not to make a site about anything and have it make money. There’s so many people using the Internet and so many tastes, beliefs, opinions, niche opportunities and hobbies that realistically, you should be able to make any site a success. There’s enough people in any given market to do so, with enough effort.
3. Some People will Never Agree with You
Being an atheist, however extreme of one, you still have to accept that some people will simply never change or see your logic. Despite how much real life proof you shove in front of them.
In the same way, you need to accept that online, there is such a constant diverse mixture of opinions and viewpoints that yours will never be fully accepted. Just like anyone else’s.
This is true of real life anyway but more so I think online. Only because people from all walks of life are integrated completely and nobody is an outsider. Whereas in the real world, everyone is a little more segregated so you get more of acceptance of opinion in large cultures.
I think the lesson from this point is that you shouldn’t take criticism so seriously. Accept other people’s opinion but never let it detract from your own and never let it dishearten you or distort your self belief.
That just about ties up this post, I’m sure there will be lots of debate on this purely because I’ve mentioned religion. Such a sensitive subject, oh well. Roll on comment bashing 
Nick,
Good post and couldn’t agree with you more about the diversification of people and that internet marketers need to look at their market and adapt their thinking and strategy towards them.
Fantastic. Logical thought along side hard evidence will win every time.
Out of interest, what interviews were you watching? RD Vs Alister McGrath is absolutely hillarious.
Nick, I’ll bite. Atheism is an excuse,not a religion. To not believe in a supreme being is to discount yourself. Because my God lives in me. But like you said. We can save that debate for later. That out of the way. I like your blog a lot.It’s not cluttered, there is just enough content to be interesting,and it’s not to obvious that your asking for money.I’m Justa saying.
Wow, one of the most ignorant comments I’ve seen regarding a religious debate.
Atheism an excuse? An excuse for what exactly? An excuse not to believe in egyption / theological myth built up, added to, changed, edited, idiolised and fabricated over thousands of years?
Lack of belief in something that doesn’t have 1 shread of evidence in it’s favor is logical, not an excuse.
I’m not sure why you chose to send me a direct email with a link to this post, but since you did, I will quote one of my favorite quotes.
“I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn’t, than live my life as if there isn’t and die to find out there is.” — Albert Camus
Well firstly you wouldn’t ‘find out’ there isn’t a God, there just wouldn’t be one. You’d be dead so there would be no revelation.
Secondly, I’d rather live this life to the full knowing there isn’t a God as apposed to restricing my livleyhood and ruining the only life I’ve got based on a poor belief of some after-life.
I didn’t come to make this into religious debate, I came to see “why” you chose to send me a direct link to something because to my knowledge I am not on your RSS feeds and I briefly remember visiting your site maybe once before.
But since you chose to respond to my comment above with…
My life is very full and not restricted. I’ve not ruined my life in the least. I just choose not to do things or to do things as other people do and what I believe is that… “my belief”…. just as others have their beliefs. Just because I choose to believe that there is a God does not make me any less a person than you for believing that there is not.
Interesting idea for a post, but delivered in very poor taste. A shame because I usually very much enjoy reading this blog.
Why was it in poor taste…
Wow! OK, so I know that contraversial topics can get heated up and draw a lot of traffic – and I’m sure you were not trying to be contraversial or anything!
But from the IM side of things – you are right on the money.
There are a lot of sites I follow, where the message is good but delivered in very poor methods. Far from controversy, it’s on the edge of being downright rude.
I’d rather hear the message from someone working on making it big but delivering a message clearly and with insight, passion and some sensitivity that someone who has made it and acts “holier than thou” and dictates why you’re not making it…
Regards,
Mo
Why do we have to be sensitive when it comes to religion?
I wouldn’t expect you to be sensitive to my favourite colour or football team.
Religion should not hide behind a wall – just like everything else, it should be open to intelligent discussion and scrutiny instead of something that can’t be questioned “just because”.
There are much worse and much more harsh arguments against religion. I think if anything Nick was being polite by avoiding these rather compelling reasons in the first place and staying on topic.
Nicky my boy, That’s right at 17 your are justa boy. You have a long way to go in this life, hopefully. Laying out for the world to see that your an Atheist was not one of your top 3 or 4 things you could have done in this stage of your Internet business. I really don’t think it will increase your readership if that was your goal. Why else would some one shout out to the world “I’m ignorant.” Because IMHO if you aren’t in touch with someone’s right to have a belief or opinion and express it with out belittling them… I’m justa saying.
This is getting rediculous.
At 17, he has more of an idea of what’s going on that most. Don’t be patronising.
Mark to be honest, I couldn’t care less. I’m no sell out. I’d rather give my real opinion and lose 50 readers than pander to people and tell people what they want to hear and gain 100.
Being true to yourself and your belief is what’s important.
Also, at what point in this post did I say ‘God is made up’ or ‘God does not exist’ or ‘People cannot believe in God’ ? Didn’t think I did.
Again a sensitive subject that the religious take to heart at no point did I say you or anybody else cannot believe in God, I simply stated >I< don't and that >I< think it undermines human intelligence. Just like you have a right to believe in God, I have a right to… not.
Why should religious people be allowed to spout about what they believe in with ease and atheist get bashed as if they’re being insulting. Also, I may be 17 but please don’t stereotype, I’m pretty set in my beliefs and I think you can be at 17. Don’t fool yourself into thinking my age has anything to do with this outspokenness.
All those teenagers, making crappy posts, heh!
Fellow atheist here, respect those of all religions of course so not going to start with anything too flaming (will keep that for my own blog)… funny how those here are pretty defensive.
As for the post, sure, it might have been better executed, but you can say that about anything. Remember, controversial topics always win
Lol, it’s this thing again that it’s disrespectful to question religion.
It’s claimed and assumed by many to be the real explanation to our existence yet doesn’t contain one shred of evidence… why should that not be questioned?
If I was giving my opinion on music or other Internet marketers or anything else it would be fine? It’s just like Dawkins said, religion seems to have this strange wall of respect for no good reason.
Well, I really didn’t want this to turn into a religious debate hence keeping 90% of the post on topic. I barely insulted religion, I just stated fact n gave my opinion, it’s ridiculous.
Well, anyone who believes in God. Ask yourself this.
God is supposedly loving, caring, forgiving, respectful… perfect and wants you to have free will. Yet if you don’t follow his 10 specific commands in your life he will send you to burn in flames? Sure…
Besides that it’s illogical and… AHH lol, stupid, why did I make this post. I love it really
Thank God I’m An Atheist.
Come on fellas,
If you are an atheist, theres no need to brag about it. I read through this post and read nothing more than “Atheism is so great because it is more practical than your religion.” I have nothing against being an atheist at all, but I just thought this post was more of an excuse to talk about religion than actual content on internet marketing
Your blog. Your rules.
Nick my boy, that’s right still a boy! I agree with Jim and I’m not threatened at all by your questioning my “Religion”. Where did I say I belonged to a religion? I simply pointed out that just because I believe in a God doesn’t make me less of a person. Your ability to show me “real life proof” is no more possible than my ability to show you “real life proof”. There is no real life proof!! God is either within you or he’s not. For you he is not. For me he is.Simply stated your truth is yours and my truth is mine. That being said I’d rather live my truth which doesn’t have these 10 rules you mentioned, but the freedom to be what ever I want to be. Your trying to hard Nick, relax enjoy life, it’s a long interesting ride. Hang on. I’m justa saying
I love that honesty. I respect your views.I like your truthfulness.