Jason Will Wear Your Shirt…
by Francis Ablola
Dec 23, 2008 Francis, Internet Marketing, Social Media/Web 2.0
Had lunch yesterday at one of my favorite spots in Jacksonville (Bamboo Creek Bistro) with my friend Jason Sadler of IWearYourShirt.com. (His first experience with dim sum!)
Everyday in 2009 Jason will be outsourcing his clothing to the guy or gal lucky enough to grab the spot. It’s a cool idea that’s getting abunch of buzz lately. He’s even been featured in a LA Times articles that made the front page of Digg.
Jason’s idea is a great case study of social media in action. Follow him on his site Iwearyourshirt.com where you’ll find his daily videos and blog and can even reserve your day to have him wear your shirt in 09′.
Peace,
Francis
Tags: Francis Ablola, IWearYourShirt.com, Jason Sadler, Social Media
What Could You Learn In A Room With 20 Self-Made Millionaires? The Power Of Masterminding
by Francis Ablola
Sep 10, 2008 Copywriting, Dan Kennedy, Direct Response Marketing, Internet Marketing, Marketing, Personal Development
I noticed my brother was posting in China so I decided to join in the fun. If he could write while scaling the Great Wall, what excuse do I have? So here I go…
This is my first post in over a year. It’s actually pretty coincidental because I’m writing this in the very same hotel in Cleveland as my last entry.
So why so long and why the heck am I in Ohio? (Where it’s a lot chiller than Florida right now…I forgot what seasons are.)
It’s been a crazy year since my last update. Changed company, changed again, went out on my own …and learned a whole lot in the process about marketing and lifestyle.
I’ve had the privilege to work closely with a self-made millionaire and marketing GIANT and learned a lot about myself in the process. I hope to share some of that here on the blog in the near future (I promise sooner than later.)
That takes me to why I’m in Cleveland.
As I write this I’m sitting in the back of a small hotel room listening in on a group of 20 self-made multimillionaire entrepreneurs around a round table all sharing ideas on how to increase their business.
This group meets about 3 times a year, lead by direct response marketing LEGEND Dan Kennedy. This is his Platinum Mastermind group and members include some of the elite of the elite direct response info-marketers in the world. The Navy SEALS of marketing, in fact there’s an active SEAL in the room. The members include the top of their respective industries, from Internet Marketing to Auto repair, they run the gamut.
Someone told me once, your income reflects the average income of the people you spend time with…the average in this room would be astonishing.
This is my 6th time at the Mastermind and I’ve noticed 3 very specific things that make it clear why every member of this group is super successful.
1. The Fundamentals. These guys are masters of the Fundamentals. They practice time tested direct response marketing, and do it day in and day out. In the round table they don’t discuss too many cutting edge strategies or the latest fly-by-night tactics, instead they share examine holes in entire strategy and share ideas on how to improve what works even for the slightest gain.
2. Speaking of slightest gain…these guys are all after the Slight Edge. I mean they all constantly looking for and are willing to invest BIG bucks in even the smallest ways to improve what they already do and perform. Think about it…even the smallest gains add up over time. One slight improvement on top of another slight improvement on top of another can dramatically change a business and a person. This group is die-hard dedicated to their own development. As Tony Robbins calls it…CANI Constant and Never-ending Improvement.
And by the way, one small change in a BIG machine can equate to GIGANTIC results.
But none of those improvements mean anything without action. That’s number 3. These guys take MASSIVE ACTION. At ever meeting each attend reviews the results of the what happened when they applied the changes of the last meeting. If it worked, if it didn’t, challenges and triumphs…AND what they plan on doing next. They throw stuff against the wall and not just see what sticks…they MAKE stuff stick. The act quickly and prove theory with results. Then they come back to the meeting a couple months later to share and help the others succeed in the same way.
I have to tell you, there’s POWER in meeting with likeminded people who have an interest in your success. I’ve heard it for years in books like “Think and Grow Rich,” and a ton of self-help seminars and programs, but never really understood the power of mastermind until witnessing firsthand a high performing group like this.
*Interesting note, with the exception of one or two, these guys work mostly in direct mail, not the Internet. Although I know it’s because these guys are more old school Kennedy types…but it’s a smart thing. With more and more Internet only marketers coming online and postage getting more expensive, mailbox space is becoming less competitive. Something to think about.*
I’m leaving tonight but I get back to JAX, I’m hoping in the can and heading to Orlando for Izeafest. While there, I’m meeting up for the first time with my own mastermind group. A group of sharp, young marketers all out of Florida. I met these guys a few months back at a Rich Schefren seminar and looking forward to seeing them all again and what they’ve done since the last time.
So tell me, do you have your own mastermind group? How often do you get together? And have you seen measurable gains? Leave me a comment and let me know.
To you extraordinary life,
Francis
P.S. If you’re going to be at Izeafest let me know. I look forward to seeing you there!
P.P.S. Next week, I’m heading to LA for a HUGE event that we have 2500 people registered. Headliners include Jay Leno, Henry Winker, and Terry Fator and many more. I’ll let you know all about it.
StomperNet Free Trial Review - Why I Cancelled and Search Engine Marketing Resources
by Francis Ablola
Jun 18, 2007 Internet Marketing, Search Engine Marketing
Scamhunter wanted my later thoughts on StomperNet. There is a pretty good review on his site of his experience in the program.
So I cancelled my subscription, and here’s why. There is a ton of great information on the site from videos, audios, active forums and instructors. The information that StomperNet provides is great for someone just starting out with an online business or Search Engine Marketing. I wish I had a resource like this 5 years ago. That being said, for someone who has been around the Internet and search engine marketing world a while may not come out of the program with that much, at least within the first 30 days. For the $1 dollar trial members, after the first 30 days, the offered a limited program for $97 per month instead of the full $800 or so per month program. Personally, I could not justify the value of the $97 per month subscription.
If you are looking to learn about search engine optimization and don’t have the $97 per month to blow, consider Aaron Wall’s SEO Book as a good start and is always up to date. I’ve had the book for sometime now and it’s rock solid information. If you don’t want to pitch out for the book just yet, his blog is filled with deep insights.
Speaking of SEO Blogs, be sure to check out SEOMoz. Rand and his team spit out blog post gold. They even to videos every Friday. They also have a premium membership, of which I’m a member, that allows you to have access to books, and resources only available to subscribers.
But Of course, if you want to spend money on your search engine marketing education, the best investment you can make is a round of beer at a conference!
BTW. If anyone is in the North Florida area and wants to talk search from me or other talented professionals in Jacksonville check out the Search Engine Marketing Association or Jacksonville, FL (SEMJAX.org).
That’s enough for now, I’m leaving on a Jet Plane. Exciting changes but more on that in a later post.
Tags: Internet Marketing, Search Marketing, SEO, Stompernet
StomperNet Trial - Week 1
by Francis Ablola
May 18, 2007 Francis, Internet Marketing, Search Engine Marketing
I’ve been digging around the StomperNet free trial for the past week or so. I’m actually quite surprised with the amount of information available to full members. Unfortunately, I can only see a sneak peek of everything since I’m in trial mode and I get cut off in the middle of the video. There are a ton of video training sessions that walk users through, step-by-step, skills like keyword research and setting up an AdWords account. Pretty basic stuff, but I wish I had a resource like this when I was getting started in search. I haven’t seen much value for someone with more experience in search marketing, but there is still a few more weeks to go in the trial. They say they’ve got a few bonuses for more experience marketers to be revealed during the next few weeks, so we’ll wait and see. I’ll continue to dig around and hopefully pick up a new tactic or two.