May 2, 2011 51 Comments

Sponsored Post – My Big Break



The following post is a Sponsored post for American Express OPEN, as part of their Big Break for Small Business program. There’s a contest involved. Swing by Visit FaceBook.com to see the deal. NOTE: The thoughts and opinions of this post are mine and are in no way vetted or edited by any other entity.

My Big Break

When people see success, they don’t often think about all the curves in the road that bring one to that place. They see you as you are in a certain moment in time, and they might layer on what they know about your past experiences, but when thinking specifically about the success of another person or business, the humble beginnings often fall to the bottom of the awareness pool.

My big break came from Jeff Pulver, internet entrepreneur and visionary. He hired me away from my wireless telcom role based on what he saw in me from the PodCamp event that I cofounded with Christopher S. Penn, so that I could come and run his Video on the Net conference and so I could help with his Network2 internet TV startup.

As part of this, Jeff flew me around to meet all the popular videobloggers of the time, and let me attend all the top conferences in the disruptive new media space. That exposure, with Jeff’s backing, took my budding messages and ideas and thoughts and gave them a very big chance of being seen. I might have still accomplished a lot of what I’ve done, but Jeff most definitely turbo-charged the experience, putting me face to face with brilliant minds and sharing his own experiences with me along the way.

You Have to Be Ready

Now, I still had to do a lot of work. I had to have some big ideas. I had to have the skills to turn that exposure into something. I had to know enough about my area of expertise to get something going.

No level of exposure and no big break works if you’re not doing the work to turn it into something.

Giving Back

Once you’ve been lucky enough to reach even the smallest level of success, it’s up to you to give back to others. Though you should most definitely honor the person who gave you your breaks, what he or she wants most is for you to help someone else who’s coming up. That’s how it works.

What will you do for them? Maybe you feature them in whatever platform you have, your newsletter or your blog. Maybe you make introductions for them via email and/or phone. Perhaps you can give them a small investment, or access to your own products or services.

Whatever the case, giving back is the biggest and most important part of getting a big break. Use that break to build your success, and then when you’ve attained even the slightest level of success, it’s your turn. That’s how we all grow.

How about you? What was your big break? Who gave it to you?

Thanks to American Express OPEN for sponsoring this post as part of the Big Break for Small Business program. Visit FaceBook.com to learn more about the Big Break contest. Enter your small business for a chance to win a trip to Facebook headquarters for a one-on-one business makeover and $20,000 to grow your business with social media. See Official Rules for complete details.

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  • http://linkedin.com/in/joesorge Joe Sorge

    Chris,
    You Sir have given me one of my big breaks and it happened in nearly exactly the same way that Jeff did it for you. And for that I am eternally grateful and honored at the same time.
    I appreciate this reminder that it is now my turn to give back, but watching you to continue to do so in nearly everything that you do makes it very easy to see what that type of success looks like. Chris, you’re a role model for so many in this way and it is truly the foundation for your legacy.
    Thank you.

  • http://linkedin.com/in/joesorge Joe Sorge

    Chris,
    You Sir have given me one of my big breaks and it happened in nearly exactly the same way that Jeff did it for you. And for that I am eternally grateful and honored at the same time.
    I appreciate this reminder that it is now my turn to give back, but watching you to continue to do so in nearly everything that you do makes it very easy to see what that type of success looks like. Chris, you’re a role model for so many in this way and it is truly the foundation for your legacy.
    Thank you.

    • http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

      Joe,

      I can see what Chris introduced you to his community. You are very similar to him in many ways. It is great that I get to share information and ideas with your and Chris. You both keep on with the good work since I know you both sacrifice greatly to get done what both of you are passionate about.

      • http://linkedin.com/in/joesorge Joe Sorge

        Thanks so much Raul, I’m very pleased to have met you via that very same community.

        • http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

          Thanks again for all the help you both have given me!

    • http://www.margieclayman.com Marjorie Clayman

      Rather glad Chris did that for you, Joe. You’re a superstar :)

      • http://linkedin.com/in/joesorge Joe Sorge

        Margie, you’re too kind. Thank you. I’m so happy to know you as a result of all of this.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      You just make my mission a lot better. I needed you. It wasnt like I wanted to do you a favor. I needed you for my army.

      • http://linkedin.com/in/joesorge Joe Sorge

        Thank you Chris. I couldn’t be more pleased.

  • Kerryqp

    I find it to be particularly ironic that this post is sponsored by American Express. Giving back, merit, rewards…not so much. Try googling the complaints against them by small businesses and business people. They notoriously withdraw credit based on fictitious credit report suggestions, and there is no way to undo the damage. By suggesting that your credit is unacceptable and lowering credit lines they are actually the cause of a lower credit score.
    I was a huge fan until they slashed my credit without warning and proceeded to cut away at my line of credit until the card was rendered useless. It happened while I was away on business, with the hotel and rental card charged to my Am EX. I spent a day sifting through credit reports and faxing them over, but they kept alluding to some mysterious issue that they could not speak of or divulge.This company is not interested in anything but protecting itself to the detriment of anyone who has the misfortune of believing that they will uphold their loan offers.
    I have no doubt that they are very vested in their PR right now, as your post would imply.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      Sounds like you had a horrible experience. I’m sorry for that. Having been through similar frustrations with other companies, I know it can be maddening.

      I hope the right people at AMEX see your comment and find you and help soothe that frustration. It’s no fun at all.

      • Kerryqp

        feel free to point them in my direction.

  • Kerryqp

    I find it to be particularly ironic that this post is sponsored by American Express. Giving back, merit, rewards…not so much. Try googling the complaints against them by small businesses and business people. They notoriously withdraw credit based on fictitious credit report suggestions, and there is no way to undo the damage. By suggesting that your credit is unacceptable and lowering credit lines they are actually the cause of a lower credit score.
    I was a huge fan until they slashed my credit without warning and proceeded to cut away at my line of credit until the card was rendered useless. It happened while I was away on business, with the hotel and rental card charged to my Am EX. I spent a day sifting through credit reports and faxing them over, but they kept alluding to some mysterious issue that they could not speak of or divulge.This company is not interested in anything but protecting itself to the detriment of anyone who has the misfortune of believing that they will uphold their loan offers.
    I have no doubt that they are very vested in their PR right now, as your post would imply.

  • Anonymous

    Chris-

    This message is so important. There was a line on the show Mad Men where the old man was telling Don Draper that he did not reach the top on his own. He told a story about Sacagawea carrying a baby on her back across the country on the expedition with Lewis and Clark. “Now they are looking at the vast ocean and that baby thinks HE discovered the Pacific”.

    Too many people get carried, or get a boost, or a hand up (their big break), and then take all the credit. We all have people who have helped us a long the way, and honoring them by helping others is the best action anyone can take.

    Everyone who reads your post today should ask themselves…. “Who can I help today?” or “What can I do to make another person feel significant?”. If they thought about this and THEN TOOK ACTION…. the world would be a better place!

    thanks, Chris. You are one of the few who I see who really does help others and give them a hand up. Too many talk about it, but do not do it.

    thom

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      Hopefully, comments like yours will motivate them to take action. :)

  • http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

    Chris,

    I guess I have to be grateful too of the way you have introduced me to your community and have put me in contact with lots of brilliant people like Joe Sorge, Margie Clayman, Suzanne Vara, Bob Burg, Tom Webster, Rob Hatch, @lushbeads, Shilpa and the list could go on.

    What you do is great and It brings a breath of fresh air to continue going forward even during difficult times. Thanks again!

    • http://www.margieclayman.com Marjorie Clayman

      aw, thanks, Raul! That was a really sweet thing to say :)

      • http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

        No, Thank You.. have an awesome week Margie!

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      You don’t have to be grateful. You do all the work. You show up. You participate. I’m just glad to know you. :)

  • http://profiles.google.com/david.kowarsky David Kowarsky

    Ah yes. You, me, Kownacki in that classy hotel and ninja costumes. Good times, Chris.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      What a fun memory. Truly. :)

  • http://twitter.com/markshaw Mark Shaw

    Hiya Chris.. My big break occured when the famous DJ Chris Evans had me on his radio show. Chris had just joined Twitter and he wanted an expert on the show to talk him and his listeners through the etiquette, top do’s and dont’s, how to get started, etc… It was a great show, but very kindly he also tweeted about how great I was… That was a turning point for me as it put me firmly on the map as far as the BBC and other radio and press journalists then found me…..

    And yes you are also right.. It is important to ‘give back’ as well.. this i do on a regular basis with my introduction, recommendations, ideas and tips that i often send out to help others…

    best

    Mark Shaw

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      See how little effort he expended and how much it helped? That’s the best support of my point. Thank you. :)

  • http://twitter.com/danyork Dan York

    Great post, Chris… and fun that you can point to an inflection point like that “when everything changed”. And I do remember when you joined Jeff in the VON craziness… those were both fun and amazing times. You certainly have seized the opening you were given – and you definitely do give back on a daily basis. Thanks for continuing to be the great guy you are!

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      Thanks, Dan. I’m glad you’ve been part of it for so long. Youre a solid guy.

  • http://flatratebiz.com Genuine Chris Johnson

    The “big break” idea is fascinating. I don’t know that I subscribe. A lot of people are willing to and wish to take credit for success of others. They fancy themselves “meal tickets” or “king makers.”

    I have done it myself – “Aren’t you glad I introduced you to X.” I’ve said to people. Ugly thoughts, trying to appropriate someone’s success as my own.

    The truth is, when we’re ready the break appears. It was coming anyway, how it came was trivial.

  • http://flatratebiz.com Genuine Chris Johnson

    The “big break” idea is fascinating. I don’t know that I subscribe. A lot of people are willing to and wish to take credit for success of others. They fancy themselves “meal tickets” or “king makers.”

    I have done it myself – “Aren’t you glad I introduced you to X.” I’ve said to people. Ugly thoughts, trying to appropriate someone’s success as my own.

    The truth is, when we’re ready the break appears. It was coming anyway, how it came was trivial.

  • http://twitter.com/JudyHelfand JudyHelfand

    Chris,
    The answer to your direct questions: “What was your big break? Who gave it to you?”

    It was 1978. I was a consumer loan officer for Crocker National Bank in Los Angeles, CA. I worked as a “floating” loan officer, which meant that I would fill in for loan officers that were going on vacation, sick leave, maternity leave, etc. It was a fun job, I was able to meet a lot of different people and I never got bored. At the time I was assigned to a branch in Altadena, CA. I was filling in for an Assistant Branch Manager who had suffered a heart attack. About five weeks into this assignment the branch was robbed, with the masked bandits jumping the counters wielding sawed-off shotguns and ordering everyone to get on the floor.

    After the culprits left the bank it was my duty to call “Headquarters” to report the robbery and to ask for a robbery team to be dispatched to meet with the FBI. As luck would have it, the gentleman that took the phone call was the Executive Vice President – Consumer Lending. I had never met him, but I knew of him.

    In my telephone conversation, the EVP finally said to me: “What do you want to do when you grow up?” I responded: “I want your job or I at least I want to work directly for you!”

    Within two weeks, he personally visited the branch, sent in internal auditors to check my work quality and then made me an offer to work directly for him. New position: Assistant Vice President, District Retail Banking Specialist. (Before I transferred to downtown Los Angeles, my branch was robbed again.)

    This position taught me a lot and certainly helped me when I found myself living in northern New Hampshire some seven years later…and wanting employment.

    I am wondering…you talk about giving back, but in your reply to Joe Sorge you say: “I needed you. It wasnt like I wanted to do you a favor. I needed you for my army.” This response seems a little contradictory…but what the heck it is Monday.

    Happy May to you and your army!
    Judy

    • Bill

      Judy,
      I hope you’ve recovered from the trauma of two bank robberies. Yikes !

      • http://twitter.com/JudyHelfand JudyHelfand

        Bill,
        I did, but you are always waiting for it to happen. Here’s the funny thing: You know Scott Adams, he writes Dilbert? He also worked for the same bank during the same time period and he went through two robberies! I never met him, but over the years when later I lived in a cubicle I used to believe he sat in the cubicle next to mine. He knows cubicle life.
        Also, I like what you said about your spouse. It is always a blessing when your spouse is willing to take the journey with you.

        Judy

        • http://twitter.com/GetBillG Bill Gibeault

          Glad you recovered from robberies ! I’ll bet a hell of alot different than watching on CSI! Yes ..A Journey is also my favorite way of describing the rollercoaster I’ve been on since 2004. Life is short enjoy the ride and the moments that take your breath away. :):)

  • http://www.ivanwalsh.com Ivan Walsh

    Hi Chris,

    Another twist on this is to find ways to give OTHERS their big break.

    Sometimes it’s just a phone call or an email…

    Ivan

    • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

      very true. You never know what a timely DM or text can do for someone

  • http://www.thejackb.com/ The JackB

    I agree with you about giving back and I hope that people respond to your call.

  • http://twitter.com/saving4someday Sara

    While I don’t have a ‘big break’ to speak about, just seeing most of the comments in this community keeps me marching on. Not everyone gets a big break but I am a true believer that we should still keep doing good work. Not because there is some payout or break or future celebrity, but rather because it is our passion to do good work and help good people. Thank you to all who continue to encourage others. Chris, you embrace this and your community follows suit. And it is I who is grateful for all of you infusing my day with awesome!

    • Bill

      Well said Sara ! We should all aspire to help others regardless of any personal rewards that may come as a result. It’s about treating people the way we would like to be treated. It’s doing what’s right for our soul and not just our wallet.

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  • Bill

    There are different ways to look at getting a big break. My first big break was/is having a spouse who has encouraged me to pursue my passion from a career standpoint. I know this might sound a bit cliche but leaving a secure corporate job (19 + years) with a company car, bonus etc, & benefits, for many sleepless nights that go with entrepreneurship has not been easy. If you’ve gotten the “Big Break” I am happy for you. (as long as you’re not a jerk) I believe that at some point we all need a break or maybe just a little bit of luck. In the mean time, don’t wait around for it and do the hard work necessary to get people to believe in your story.

  • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

    I love this post. Probably one of my favorites from you chris.

    I have had some “breaks” along the way. Some positive and some from negative experiences. I would say my biggest break happened a couple of years ago when Jack and biz created twitter.
    It has been the biggest deliverer of breaks over the past year.

    Another big break was when I moved to Nashville from St. Louis and was able to continue to get more connected with bloggers who were influencers. This allowed me to do more consulting with them as well as build custom themes for them.

    Now I am looking for what Jeff did for you. An opportunity from someone who has seen what I am doing right now and sees potential to give me a chance.

    I want to be prepared and ready to go. That is what I am working toward. Thanks for sharing your journey

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      Keep yourself open to the possibility, Kyle, and keep doing good things. It will come.

  • http://www.margieclayman.com Marjorie Clayman

    I’ve had far too many big breaks thanks to generous folks like you, and I hope that I am doing a good job of passing on any good fortune I have. It’s something I keep front and center at all times. It’s the most fun part of Social Media, by far – watching a little mention, a little nudge, a little favor – completely make someone’s day. What a high.

    How can we translate that into our daily lives offline? That’s the real kicker :)

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      You can do it daily for sure. Every day, you can find someone to lift up. It’s SO easy, if you think about it. It doesn’t take more than 90 seconds, really, to encourage someone. Maybe not as deeply as they need, but still. Easy.

    • http://twitter.com/GetBillG Bill Gibeault

      Marjorie- “A Day Maker”- Pay it forward. Love it !

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  • http://www.online-business-virtual-assistant.com/ Virtual office assistant

    Loved this post and i too had breaks in my life which were good and bad. The biggest one came when i found a job which suited me and which i was able to do in a better way.

  • http://www.spaceheaterstudios.com/ Houston Internet Marketing

    Great comments about paying it forward. When I am given an opportunity, I try to think about how I can use my experience to help someone else. The same joy and empowerment I receive from my “breaks”, I try to pass on to others.

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  • http://www.dcctvsecurity.com DCCTV

    Thanks for sharing, I would have loved to be at that event as well. If I may put something on your radar, I will be speaking at the World Futurist Society Conference in Vancouver July 8th – 10th, I’m told somehwere between 1,000 – 1,500 Futurists from around the world come together and share ideas and thoughts on a variety of topics. I’m speaking on The Future Of Business, specifically the Open & Free Business Model.

  • http://www.realestateactive.com Jeff Bridges

    Wow, nice one Chris. I was gratified as well honored that the person I am following through his blogs and posts will soon become a BIG Man of the Internet Business Industry. Just keep us posted if to what are the developments prior to it.

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