Sun Tzu on Social Media & Freelancing

I wanted to be a lawyer once, so I took a big career step sideways and first became a certified paralegal, then went to work for a major Chicago based law firm. My boss was a partner in the 350 person litigation department. To say that he was smart and aggressive would be an understatement. Combine those traits with his almost insane passion for the law and his clients and he made partner early in his career. Specializing in civil litigation, he had an almost near perfect success record. 

He was a fair boss, but as you might imagine, working for him was far more than a typical job. To succeed, you had to be accepted by his close litigation family and subscribe to the philosophy that all litigation was all out war. Losing was not an option. Whatever it took, no matter the hours worked or the (legal) techniques and strategies applied to a case, winning was the #1 goal. Going to work in the early morning after a mandatory hour or so at the firms health club working out, was like connecting yourself to a high tension electrical power wire. Twelve hours later you couldn't see straight or think clearly. You've read the "Art of War" by Sun Tzu of course. That and the Florida Statutes were our bibles. 

Well, I never did become a lawyer. Working inside a large law firm and observing the insane competition between partners, associates and departments - litigation, real estate and corporate - they did not do criminal law - I decided that spending my life dedicated to that environment was just not for me. Rather than learn to love the law, I not only had no passion for it, I hated it. I moved on, but the philosophy of winning is war remained with me and will forever. I've tried to impart similar to my son. And now as a freelance writer and someone surrounded by social media nothing has changed. Whether your marketing a service or product on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin or any other of the 15+ social media platforms. The principles outlined by Sun Tzu are in fact what winning and gaining ultimate advantage over competition is all about. Whether your marketing a service or product on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin or any other of the 15+ social media platforms 

You must take a no prisoners approach to gaining business. You've heard the expression, "To the victor, go the spoils". It's true. Making money is what it is about. What else can possibly be as important? Charity? Tithing? Donating? Job Satisfaction? There is a Klingon saying: "tIq Daq Hosnatulu" which means real power is in the heart. While that's well intentioned and certainly admirable but, the fact is, make no money and your efforts to assist any group, organization - soup kitchen or mission - will never happen. Another expression: "Show me the money baby, show me the money" is what it is all about for freelancers.

It's not arrogant or narcissistic to think that no one does what you do best. One first step in eliminating competition is to believe there really is no competition whatsoever. The road is filled with users, but waiting for you to come along and re-pave it with you're brilliance. A major obstacle that freelancers face is - let's say you're a writer - going into a book store to survey what other writers are selling. Another is constantly checking out best seller lists. Why bother? Sun Tzu tells us" To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill." 

So, for goodness sakes, subdue the market, don't fight it - write it -  then sell the hell out of what you produce. Think like this: "Victorious warriors win FIRST and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win". Any freelancer that bids for work against me is my enemy. They are not to share from, but to destroy. I don't want your advice, I want your business. Sun Tzu says: "If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he (she) is superior in strength, evade him. If you opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be wek, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking ease, give him no rest. Attack him where he is unprepared and appear where you are not expected."

You need to post that above your computer when you seek out new business. The lower photo is the Gatorade social media war room. Learn the principles of Sun Tzu and apply them to your freelance business. Stop wasting your time tweeting your feelings and retweeting other writers work and get down to business. Set high goals and push yourself. Declare war on those goals and achieve them already. Your time has come.