3 Internet Marketing Lessons I Learned from Stalking Dexter in Central Park

Being 13 years late to the party, I began watching the Showtime series Dexter about 4 months ago. Loving it so far.

Lead actor Michael C. Hall is brilliant in his role as a serial killer of serial killers.

Turns out, I kinda look like the guy. Or some folks say I am close to a dead ringer. Especially when I grow out my hair and give the sinister Dexter stare.

My first comparison? 5 years ago in Phuket, Thailand, a drunk Aussie lady with a 7 foot python wrapped around her shoulders (I am not kidding) yelled when I walked into a restaurant:

"It's Bloody Dexter! It's Bloody Dexter!"

Since that time, more and more folks noted the similarity.

Last month I actually saw the guy in Central Park. Which struck me as really neat, because I have been getting more and more into his acting - he is excellent in "Safe" on Netflix, too - and because I figured it'd be cool to meet the one actor who I look like.

I learned 3 internet marketing lessons from our encounter, that could be of benefit to you.. Yes; it was technically stalking, because to verify his identity I had to double around and catch up to the guy, not unlike one of Dexter's maneuvers from the series.

1: Heads Up

I focused on his cutest little floppy-eared dog. For like 10 seconds.

Then my wife nudged me and said; "Hey; looks like Michael C Hall"

He already walked by before I could verify. But if my wife was not alert I'd have missed the opportunity to meet my doppelganger, head down, focused on his dog.

Internet Marketing Lesson

Heads up, internet marketers. Sometimes, your nose is so deeply buried in stats and metrics and outcomes that you miss the opportunity to make cyber eye contact with folks by helping them with content, by asking them questions to pinpoint their problems and to simply chat with people to build friendships.

2: Target Your Ideal Customer

Dexter had already passed me by the time I got up the nerve to target him. I mean, to see if it was in fact Michael C. Hall; his cap was pulled down and he was quite pale compared to the tan dude on the Showtime show from years ago.

I put in the legwork to double around, so we'd see eye to eye. No way I'd rush the guy like a crazy person, running up from behind. Not desperate like that. Far better to patiently form an arc so I could cross paths with him a few minutes down the road/path.

As we got closer, me and my wife verified it was in factor Dexter.

Internet Marketing Lesson

Don't waste time chasing down non targeted leads. Patiently target your customers. The calm, confident approach doesn't scare off potential clients or customers. Putting in mental planning and physical legwork helps you connect with your target audience.

I'm sure Michael C. Hall has been chased down and freaked out by more than 1 wacky Dexter fan. Even though I wanted to meet the guy, the calm, confident, deliberate approach enabled me not only to find him, but to chat with him too.

3: Don't Be Shy; Speak Up When It's Time to Talk

As we approached him I felt a surge of nerves and fear pulsating through my mind. Would he ignore me? Would I annoy him by noticing him and chatting for a few seconds?

I felt the fears, allowed the energies to pass, and as he passed I smiled and said "Excuse me; really big fan. I had to let you know."

He smiled and nodded, thanked me, and we moved on.

Noting it's probably the only time I'd meet the guy - unless he plays me when my Blogging From Paradise Netflix series debuts - I had to add the Doppelganger note. I turned around when he was 5 feet passed and said "Plus, my readers said I look so much like you, that eventually we had to meet up somewhere."

He chuckled, then his wife or girl-friend said out loud, "He *DOES* look like you!"

Internet Marketing Lesson

Don't be shy guys.

Call readers to action via your squeeze page, or at the end of your blog posts.

When it's time to talk, speak up. Be bold. Be clear. Build your business by stripping away any shyness, fear or embarrassment around your internet marketing business.

Guys; this IM journey is fun, freeing and sometimes frightening. Facing a guy whom I deeply admire as an actor and chatting him up pushed me well outside of my comfort zone. But it was a fun, freeing experience that I'll always remember.

All of your most enjoyable IM successes occur because you were willing to stick your neck out again and again, well outside of your comfort.

Run with these lessons and prosper guys.