I have a problem! Well, it’s not really a problem it’s probably more of a bad habit or bad decision most of the time. You see, whenever we go anywhere outside of our home for fun – whether it’s vacation (or really any place) and I see one of those junky souvenir shops, I just need to stop and shop.
In my mind, one never knows when they’re going to need that shark tooth necklace while at the beach. Or maybe that must have, definitely one of a kind, t-shirt from the t-shirt shop on the boardwalk. It might be a coffee mug, a little silver or bronze statue, or just about anything that I think I absolutely need but will get lost in my closet or on some shelf somewhere in my home that collects a lot of dust.
Yes, I’m a huge fan of the junkie souvenir shops and all the stuff they have to offer. My wife is very considerate in accommodating this need of mine. Though she knows we will eventually get rid of it, or I will forget about it all together, she indulges me and faithfully dusts the valuable treasure until that time arrives.
There is one souvenir that I find very hard to pass up. And that is the ever so enticing souvenir beverage cup. I have mentioned in my previous blog posts that I’m a fan of live events and sporting games. Whether it is football, baseball, basketball, hockey, concerts, casual restaurants, the theater or movie house, etc., I love to go to live events.
One of the things that we like to do whenever we get to go to one of these treasured events is try different foods. And it never ceases to amaze me I am given the option to purchase a drink in a regular disposable cup or the giant plastic take-home souvenir cup.
The souvenir cup usually has a picture of a player or the team or something that’s very appealing. They are usually very colorful and bright and beg you to fall for the upsell and purchase this drink in this special cup.
The added benefit is that you get to take it home. This drives my wife absolutely nuts because my children and I always opt for the souvenir cup.
About five years ago, I decided that I would clean out all of these souvenir cups from our lower cabinet in our kitchen. They were stored in a location way in the back where no one had seen them or touched them since they were acquired. I’m embarrassed to say that I lost count well after finding over 50 souvenir cups stacked in piles.
Well, if I’m to be perfectly honest, I did not lose count I just quit counting out of embarrassment. I am such a sucker. It’s almost like these places saw me coming and knew they were going to make a couple extra bucks off of my need to have one of these “treasures.”
I have no idea why I am like this but I just love the souvenir cup. Somewhere in my mind I think that I am going to be using this highly inflated and ridiculous plastic item to drink all of my beverages at home. But after they are washed, my wife places them back in the lower cabinet where they will probably sit for another five years until I decide to clean them out again.
Then just like the shampoo commercial states, “rinse… wash… repeat!” I’ll do it all over again and buy another souvenir cup. Are any of you like this? Do you just have to purchase one of those unnecessary items? As I said when I first started this post, I have a problem! I fall for it Every. Single. Time!
So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!
I have been researching TikTok. In addition to marketing my online business via my website, word of mouth, my network of friends and future friends, etc., I have been intrigued by what TikTok has to offer. I see so many people supplementing their income as well as marketing their current business using several programs and opportunities on this platform.
My mentor recommended that I watch a lot of TikTok videos in my niche as well as other niches to see how people are drawn into video content to obtain followers. The platform will reward you when you have a certain number of followers by allowing you to post a clickable link and eventually have your very own TikTok Shop.
In the next few weeks, I will be detailing my mentor’s Viral Video Formula for creating successful content and obtaining followers. So, please come back in the next few weeks as this information is so incredibly valuable. And yes, there will be a life story prior to my tagline “So, what does this have to do with running an online business?…”
While watching many of these videos I become intrigued with their content. Some of the content is so good that I have been sucked into not only watching a few videos from content creators but follow them. And to my surprise their pitch was rather compelling.
I have often found myself veering from my intent to study how content creators make the videos to actually considering what they have to offer. Dangerous! In a previous post I discussed how important it is to avoid those shiny objects that are so enticing.
Ohh, some of these products may be good, but you never know what you’re going to get hooked on and stuck with. This is just like those souvenir cups. One needs to be so careful in collecting shiny objects and product that they may never need or use.
Now, some of the items that I’ve seen are extremely beneficial, but some of them are in direct competition with the business I am trying to create and develop. Because if I already have a good product, why should I buy another one? The product and system that I am using is an A+ product that has a proven record of assisting people to become successful online business operators.
In my desire to gain more knowledge I have discovered something. I am human! There, I said it. I’m human and susceptible to being sold on items that I may or may not need. Writing this blog post has been a good reminder to me and hopefully, a good warning to all that read this, to be wary as some of those content creators are really, really good at their jobs.
Fortunately, I came to my senses before I did something drastic and purchased something that I really didn’t need or want. I’m one of the lucky ones as I know so many people have collected too many shiny objects.
If you are interested in posting on platforms such as TikTok, that is great. I encourage you to study how others get their content across and how people follow and take action. But be mindful of not being swayed into making a decision that you may regret.
Unlike a souvenir cup, the items that you purchase may not be so easily put away and forgotten about in your kitchen cabinet. But rather taking up valuable space among more important files and documents in your computer.
As I mentioned before, please come back over the next few weeks so that I could present a Viral Video Formula for making a successful TikTok video. I did not come up with this information on my own. Rather it was provided to me as a proven method for successful content creation.
Are you anything like me? Do you collect stuff that you know you really shouldn’t be collecting only to regret it? If you have the willpower to refrain from this behavior, I applaud you!
Now, I’m off to dig out that Texas Ranger Baseball Cup from a game that I went to in 2019. I am confident that the soft drink beverage I place inside will taste just as good as when I originally drank from that cup 5 years ago. 😊
“True contentment is not having everything, but in being satisfied with everything you have.” – Oscar Wilde
“Contentment makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.” – Benjamin Franklin
And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:
How does a cup greet another cup? “What’s brewing?”
Why don’t cups trust lids? Because they keep things under cover!
Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!
**If you are curious about this process and wish to know more about an affiliate marketing business, please subscribe to my newsletter here to learn more. And please continue following my blog. My hope is not only to create the freedom I so long for but pass on what I have learned to others who have similar aspirations.
My so called problem is subscribing to supplements-which do keep me healthy, but over time, stack up in a closet. I am a glutton for vitamins. I find this embarrassing to admit. But since you invited me to share, there it is. I look forward to reading what you have to say about TikTok. I play with it but, as you know, my true passion is You Tube. There aren’t enough hours in the day…..
Hi Kate – We all have our vices, and we all have our guilty pleasures. I, too, purchase supplements and vitamins. I look forward to learning more about TikTok and I also look forward to learning more about YouTube. You are the master of that platform! Have a great week!
Enchanting post as always Ernie. Sometimes I cheat to find the bad jokes. My wife cleans out my souvenir cups on a regular basis. My favorite are the movie cups where you can get free or low cost refills. I am hiding my Colonial Williamsburg cup so she cannot find it. Keep it up Ernie
Hello Scott – Thank you for your visits to my post and for acknowledging the fact that while my jokes might be bad, they are still good. Ha ha ha! Sounds like our wives are similar and I also have a few cups that I’ve hidden myself. In fact, I think I’m going to use one tonight for dinner. Have a great week!
! I totally get the allure of those quirky souvenir cups—they’re like little pieces of nostalgia, even if they end up gathering dust in the cabinet. Your link to TikTok’s shiny object syndrome is spot on. I have been spending way too much time on TikTok, and I am working towards the clickable link in my bio and maybe a TikTok affiliate. It’s so easy to get sidetracked by short-term offers, and I’m always trying to take an easy path towards money. So I now have added working on emails as more a priority and trying to keep up with TikTok the best I can. Can’t wait for your TikTok tips!
HI Alison! Nostalgia… that’s the perfect word for it. I don’t know why I do this every single time. In fact, if I am honest, I just did it two nights ago at a hockey game after I wrote about it in this blog post. I might need to go to some type of meeting or have an intervention. It is so easy to get lost in watching those short videos as I justify it’s just a short video. But after a dozen or so the time does add up. And, what some of these videos have to offer is so stinking tempting, right? Some of the tips that I will be offering in the next two weeks are tips that I’ve seen you post on, so I guess my thanks goes to you as well as others for the inspiration. Have a great week and I truly appreciate your visit and comment!
Hi Ernie.
Good article. I’m much the same – I buy stuff when I’m travelling. I must have 30 shot glasses from places I’ve been – and fridge magnets too…
I also have a heap of digital products that I got – I’m pretty good at the bright, shiny object syndrome.
I’m in the middle of a little self imposed challenge to get through a whole month without buying any more ebooks or courses. So far so good….
Thanks for sharing your story Ernie. I think it gets the message across a bit better when you tell personal stories. Makes your content more relatable.
Looking forward to seeing more.
Hi Sean – I am finding that there are more and more people like us who collect unneeded and unnecessary stuff. Notice I called this stuff and not junk because it’s important to me. Ha ha ha! Congratulations on your self-imposed challenged and success in not purchasing unnecessary e-books or courses. Way to go! And yes, I do agree with you that a story does add a personal impact to the message that I’m trying to carry forward. I appreciate you reading my life stories and the lessons contained within. Have a wonderful week!
Hi Ernie,
I loved your post! Your reflections on souvenir cups and how they parallel the allure of shiny objects in the business world were both humorous and insightful. I’m definitely guilty of picking up unnecessary keepsakes during trips, so I could relate to your story!
Your experience with TikTok and the importance of staying focused despite the distractions is a great reminder for all of us. It’s easy to get drawn into compelling content and feel the urge to buy into every new idea or product that seems exciting. Your approach of studying successful content creators while keeping your goals in mind is a smart strategy.
I’m looking forward to learning about your Viral Video Formula! It sounds like you’re on an exciting journey. Thanks for sharing your insights, and keep those dad jokes coming—they always add a nice touch!
Best,
Ezequiel Wells
Hello my friend! Thank you for your visits to my blog posts on a regular basis as well as your comments. They truly mean a lot to me and I know they are heartfelt. I do my best but sometimes I feel short as I get caught up in watching way too many TikTok videos. I am learning a lot, though. I hope to use some of this learning as I expand my TikTok channel and hopefully achieve success through this platform. Have a great week!
Hi Ernie,
Your story about the souvenir cups was funny and relatable, I think many of us have that “one thing” we can’t resist buying, whether it’s cups, magnets, or T-shirts. The way you tied it back to the idea of “shiny objects” in the world of online business was brilliant. It’s easy to get distracted by the latest trends, especially on platforms like TikTok, where everyone seems to have a new tool or product to share. I appreciate the reminder to stay focused on our own goals and avoid accumulating things (physical or digital) that don’t really serve us in the long run. Looking forward to your insights on the Viral Video Formula, it sounds like a valuable resource!
Meredith
Hi Meredith – Focus is the keyword in your comment. Staying focused is the result of discipline and persistence. I am learning that every day as I attempt to stay focused and stay away from shiny objects. I’m using my experience with TikTok to further my knowledge. By the way, you have excellent TikTok videos. Thank you for your visit to my blog post and for your comments. I wish you a very productive week!
You and my husband are the same!! He has an excuse to buy everything and that he’ll use it all. I’ve recently been one step behind him selling it all on vinted! I’m like kate, I’m definitely a vitamin buyer…..
Don’t get me started on TikTok! It’s like a giant virtual souvenir shop with way too many shiny things. I’ve definitely found myself deep in videos, convincing myself I need whatever they’re selling, even though I know I’ll probably never use it. Looking forward to seeing your Viral Video Formula post—I’m all about learning and trying not to get distracted by too many shiny objects along the way!
Hi Sarah – I never thought about it, but you’re right, TikTok is a viral souvenir shop. And they make it too easy to collect the stuff that they have to offer. I’m such a sucker but I’m very fortunate to have not been suckered in to buying too much stuff on TikTok. As far as you learning from me from the Viral Video Formula, a lot of that comes from you so I must give you much credit as well as thanks. I truly appreciate your continued support and visits to my blog posts as well as your friendship. Have a wonderful week and I look forward to continuing to follow you in your pursuit of excellence, success and trip to New York City!
I’m not quite as bad as that but I do collect the free useless gifts I receive from my blood donation efforts. Honestly, a beanie and scarf and I live in a tropical climate! Great segue into affiliate marketing as usual. I look forward to seeing your results on the TikTok platform.
Hi Andy – I applaud you for your discipline and now collecting unnecessary items. And I admire you for donating blood as this is such a wonderful gesture. Thank you for your visit to my blog post and have a wonderful week!
Hi Ernie! I’m not a compulsive buyers of shiny things. When the opportunity comes, I’m stopped by the level of expense I’m about to make if I do buy -Du-baï- see my joke? Ok not as good as yours but at least it’s a try. Staying focus on our tasks is really important. And I agree without any doubt that we have the best category A+ products with Internet Profit.
Martin
Hi Martin – I do love a good joke, even the bad ones. Check that, especially the bad ones! 🙂 Yes, we do have a good system that we belong to with great products, great training and great support both by our mentors and our peers. I can’t wait to continue with success and am enjoying seeing your journey as well! Have a great day!
Ernie, I absolutely love this post!
You captured that universal feeling so perfectly—who among us hasn’t been lured in by the magic of souvenir shops and those irresistible “treasures”? Guilty for t-shirt collection over the years! 🤣
Your humor and self-awareness make the story so relatable, especially the cabinet full of forgotten cups! And tying it all back to shiny objects in online business was spot-on.
TikTok can be a bit of a souvenir shop itself, and your journey into its marketing world is inspiring and a great reminder to stay focused. I enjoy your TT videos!
Thanks for the laughs and insight—looking forward to more of your adventures! 😊
All the best!
Milissa Neirotti
Hi Milissa – It is great to see you and I really appreciate you visiting and commenting on my blog. I also collect a few T shirts much to my wife’s chagrin. Recently I did a T shirt purge, and it felt so good. I never knew how much drawer space I had once the T shirts were gone. Again, thank you for your visit and have a wonderful day!