So, I’ve finally decided to take the plunge and am offering a series of seminars on Social Media and Small Business.  How hard could it be?  Gather great content, spread the word, find the perfect locations, and then wait for the crowds to amass, right?

That’s where the irony begins.

I•ro•ny |ˈīrənē; ˈiərnē|

1. The practice of planning a seminar about how to simplify your marketing through effective use of social media, and then marketing that seminar by adding too many complex layers of web/e-mail blast/shopping cart/PDF downloads that those seeking more information are turned off by annoying technical glitches.
2. The decision to leverage a reputation built over three years of hard work and relationship building to launch high quality workshops, and looking silly when the links don’t work.
3. Engaging the assistance of a valuable network to spread the word, and then crippling their ability to do so with confusing instructions and invalid links.
4. Being a communication expert who struggles to communicate about the one event about which I am most passionate

Now, before you go wagging your finger about my self-deprecation, I’m not done with my definition.

Most ironic — and valuable — is that in my effort to teach my colleagues an easier way to connect with their target market, I’ve perhaps learned the most valuable lessons.  Of course, that’s how it always works.  The teacher always learns more than the students if his or her ego will allow it.

So, instead of viewing these hurdles as signs to turn back, I see them instead as opportunities for growth, and for adding to my library of life experiences that I can transform into lessons for others.

If you’d like to know more about my Social Media for Small Business Seminar, you can check it out here.  Of course, if that link doesn’t work, you can download this PDF.  And if all else fails, you can smile and sing a little Alannis Morissette:

It’s like rain on your wedding day
It’s a free ride when you’ve already paid
It’s the good advice that you just didn’t take
Who would’ve thought … it figures