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- Jun 24th, 2008
- 6 Comments
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I didn’t do it on purpose.
I didn’t have a 4 year plan, anticipate my next move, or really… have any choice. I was under a spell.
It started out very innocently. In 1999 I learned some HTML. In 2000 I was hired to work on some websites, and their affiliate links (whatever the heck that meant). A short while after that (and a lot of riduculously interesting information that I am omitting for effect) :
I joined an email list.
Then another.
Then another.
Then I bought an ebook. or two. or three. or ten.
Then I signed up with Site Build it.
Then I stayed awake for 8 pm Eastern time (3 am here) to listen to a teleseminar. again. and again. and again.
Then I was on 30 mailing lists.
Then I bought a coaching program. or two
Then I joined a membership or four.I witnessed more urgency in a stream of ‘if you dont buy / use this / know this then you will NOT be able to succeed online’ pitches than an Emergency Room MD. Trauma care patients don’t know copywriting like these guys. I wonder if the survival rate would increase if John Carlton was pitching each patients case.
The IM’er (as it is labeled for short) Experience.
Lately I have been ‘hanging around’ (in the Social Media sense) a different online crowd. These people may refer to themselves as Internet Marketers, but many don’t know who Mike Filsaime is, or perhaps even John Reese!
While we are always reinventing ourselves, the IM path may sound something like this.. rich jerk, niche marketing, resale rights, PLR, Warrior Forum, Earn $100 a day, list building secrets, social media domination, adsense is not dead, blah blah blah. A more traditional marketer may have their success tied more to scalability, building relationships, and clients. Their means to an end is to create a self sustaining line of work, and yes, a nice revenue stream. (which could actual happen accidentally rather then intentionally - almost never in the IM’er space)
Life is a series of experiences that mold us into who we are. We are the products of our own ‘choose your own adventure’. I dont mean to sound so holistic here, but I feel I owe respect to the experience I had, even if I am prepared to question the fuel that drives it. I also have more leeway to do such since I am partially responsible for supporting it.
Last week I wrote about the surprise I had attending the Mashable Tel Aviv Event to discover so few marketers were aware of web concepts I have been embracing for so long. I also wrote that I had a half written post to dust off about the subject. Here is that post. Partially.. some of the work was done for me in the meantime:
A few days ago the debate was on full steam, ironically, starring.. John Reese and Mark Hopkins from Mashable..
I don’t see that John has anything he needs to defend. Its like a local musician being accused of ’selling out’ since he wrote a song that became a top 10 single and made him famous. Yes, you owe a lot to your fans, but it helps to have a lot more of them, and it helps to be able to afford to keep doing what they like you for
. Next the advent of the e-book, while not making many people at home millionaires, due to it’s ‘mass production’ is able to share golden nuggets of how to take advantage of the web for a much lower price tag than hiring consultants. I haven’t earned from each e-book, but I have learned from each one.
Mark - it is simply that as an outsider to an experience you didn’t have, the vision from where you are sitting allows you to see this for what it actually is. Well, what it is to YOU. A survival of the fittest, MLM style society. Hey I hear you - when my friends start pitching AGEL and NuSkin to me (actual network marketing companies) I laugh and roll my eyes in ridicule - and think they are on crack. However, to them its a very real adventure, they love the products, and its potentially lucrative, so who are we to judge? Maybe more people are losing money than earning, but the same 80/20 rule applies to this as with any other industry. Or the more realistic 95/5 - it CAN be done. You CAN become famous in Hollywood. You can get rich online. Just not many will. Should they stop making movies since it fuels others desires to have what they most likely can’t?
For me? It is directly as a result of this experience, one that caused me to part with so much of my hard earned money, and take time away from my family, that I am able to claim what I can today. I may not be able to drink Pina Coladas all day while the money racks up in my account, no Ferrari in the garage, or a house in the Hamptons (as we have been so frequently pitched).. but I most certainly could get a sick paying job in a big firm, could consult with the best.
How?
Because I DIDN’T learn what they teach new college graduates, because I DIDN’T learn traditional marketing. I learned how to market in a way that turns the web into our own personal ATM’s. I learned marketing the Rich Dad way. I am too wise to go back and relive it, but I cant change what I know, and yes.. I actually make money online.
Internet Marketing is definitely poised for a ‘face lift’, I expect a lot more crossover between the two different arenas. However, as long as people wake up and type in ‘make money online from home’ on Google, there will be products created to cater to them.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
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- Mar 5th, 2008
- 1 Comments
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You are SAFE on this blog. I have gone into my backend and removed EVERY affiliate link. The only stuff that exists are Google Adsense blocks, and it’s just cuz they fit in nicely! I wont be running away from blog posts promoting affiliate products, but how many have I done of those anyways?? I am extremly selective. I know what its like to unload tons of cash for one dream or another.
Suddenly the idea of earning money off of people who innocently come by here interested in hearing what I have to say does not sit right with me.
Regardless of recent slacking off on posts here.. for various personal reasons, I find this decision to be a big step for me..
Can you see that or do I need to spell it out for you? I dont mean to sound like some father berating his teenage son for his bad behavior.. I REALLY want to know if you GET this.. or if you need it explained.. I would love to explain it.. but I would also love to read a comment from anyone FIRST that you get it..
wow.. pretty long winded there..
Can you add to this conversation below?
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- Feb 6th, 2008
- 10 Comments
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I have recently been trying to move my blog away from the personal towards the educational.. ya know real value, blah blah blah
I always have about 10 posts half written that get tossed aside for the next great thought.
However, today, and for the last 5 days I am just going through the motions..
My friends.. I have lost my direction, my purpose, my taste, my drive..
I am a rowboat in the middle of the ocean. I have oars, but I HAVE LOST MY COMPASS…
My business partner, who appeared out of the middle of nowhere, dove in with 2 feet, and said I trust you, I believe in you, You have talent, and this is going to be amazing.. oh and how much do you need to live on until it happens… well he was tragically killed in a car accident outside Los Angeles. He was a 30 yr. old beautiful and generous without limits, father, husband, son, dear friend to many, and a True Rock Star at affiliate marketing.
Meir ‘Mikey’ Volk … Thank you.
I never saw ‘The Secret’ .. but read back to my next internet millionaire quest and TELL me if you didnt see it happen. Yes I was too busy working towards it to write as much as I should have (as much as YOU would have like to see rather). This stuff is out of control..
oh, and If you think I am writing about money, just turn around and leave right now… the only money I wanted to earn was to show him gratitude for his faith in me.
I am on my way to the states tonight for 3 weeks. My main consideration to NOT go would be the inevitable absenses from my computer. Just traveling is a day off each way, forget the obligatory Target and Walmart expiditions.. (even internet millionaires shop there). Now I turn on my computer and feel the bile rising in my throat.. yeh TMI.. sorry.
So what now?
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- Jan 11th, 2008
- 7 Comments
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I know I promised this video 2 days ago, but 2 things happened:
1) I got tired. Sorry. It happens occassionally. I will try not to let it happen again.
2) I decided last minute to remove all references to a report I was promoting in the VIDEO. Not because I dont find it worthy of promoting, in fact I am.. right HERE and read below.. but I wanted the video to be more timeless and well.. have the potential to promote ME :). However, instead of re-recording, I just took the same footage and chopped it up even more!
As is typical.. just as I am getting ready to do something, someone else comes along with a big bang! Andrew Cavanagh wrote a thread on the Warrior Forum suggesting similar ideas to what I mention in my video. As I suspected would happen, people were like WOW.. meaning the idea never occured to them. I did not actually see the thread in the forum. I think it was removed so he could instead pitch the idea and sell it. I advise you to check out this $19.99 product since unlike many other products where you purchase and dont know what you are getting, he has his original forum post in his sales pitch and there are no secrets.
What you are getting in this report (< -- link) are tips to approach businesses, lingo with with to approach them, how to build up referrals (which it really is all about), services to offer, prices to charge, outsourcing suggestions, and some basic SEO practices.. Basically helps you fill in the holes. Not to hype it up, but his price will only remain for a while, since that is the rules of this forum! Be expected for a serious hike in the next few days.
By the way I am quite serious about what I wrote in the video. If you go out and get the clients, I will take half (well assuming you charge them enough!), and show you how to get it done. It wont take long for you to cut out the middle man, and do it for yourself! So go ahead and click contact!
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- Dec 13th, 2007
- 4 Comments
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I have been trying to add real content and give to YOU what you want. The problem is that YOU are not joining the conversation here. Occassionally YOU leave a comment, let me know you are interested in what I have to say..
but often.. I am just passing time out loud. Have I failed at grabbing YOUR attention?
I am also so busy building up business/es that I dont have time to read YOUR blogs.. why should you have time for mine.. I understand completely, but just know.. I am here for YOU when / if you need me.
Guess I will have to talk about ME again..
I have created Yet another video. Yet another Putting myself OUT there.. I am my own WEB 2.0 vehicle. Can you Andrea that??
Rich Schefren is hosting a contest that makes the Next Internet Millionaire look like a childs tea party.. What is on offer? 4 prizes to 4 winners! Access to Rich and Jay Abraham, free entry to their seminar in Disney, Free copy of the Business Accelleration Program and $1000!..
A follower of Rich, and a new fan of mine, collected the top 25 videos for this contest, including mine of course, and said -
Andrea Yager’s entry - probably the reason this contest exists! and then when he included my other video.. (I think this is what spawned Rich’s contest!). He may not even know about my decapitation video from.. you guessed it 130 days ago (give or take)!
Can someone put that PLUG for ME on a billboard and digg and sphinn it? I mean if that isnt worth a ride on Space Mountain.. me being the muse behind the vehicle that is spitting out 100’s of free infomercials for my good friend, and fellow junk food maven, Rich.. then I dont know WHAT IS. Someone else who KNOWS me, KNOWS my mad marketing skills and capabilities said.. what was Joel Comm’s loss will be Rich Schefrens gain. Yes.. you have me right where you want me.
SO.. without further adieu.. here is my latest video.. but hang on and wait for voting instructions. Since I dont know how to effectively share information, cant be too outrageous in Jerusalem, and am too witty to be compelling.. I am expecting to be in the humorous category. They better put me in the humorous category. If they dont it will be cuz they dont want me to win!!
My almost call to Action:
Await my loyal fans and readers for further instructions. I know the cheesiest line EVER is that if I win, YOU win, since I will share what I learn with you. Sure at a price of $479 but you can be a JV and buy via your own affiliate link, since I am just super nice like that LOL..