The Proximity Effect

I just got off the phone with a photographer who was wanting to make sure that his web site would not be linked to any other photographer, lab or anyone for that matter. I explained that he wasn't able to prevent someone from linking to his site. He was extremely unhappy. I pointed out to him that car dealers create 'auto malls', that books sell better in book stores, that candy is sold in stores that sell all kinds, movies are now 24 - 40 screens, grocery stores place beans on the same aisle. And to make sure he understood that it wasn't just 'commodity' type of items I pointed to art galleries, museums and other places of fine art.

Seth Godin talked about it on this post.

I am shocked at how isolated and isolationist so many talented people are. Maybe it has something to do with self-esteem, or fear, or simply a misguided arrogance. Whatever it is, it is getting in the way of a lot of work coming to talented people.

Being in the right place at the right time may also be the place where others of your kind are also gathering. Gain more than just traffic by being in a group effort for marketing or 'buzz'.

I don't think this guy is going to get it though, he said he would place a legal threat to anyone who would dare to link to him. I passed on the design job, btw... for obvious reasons.