This is a sort of Follow Up post to that.[and a longer than average post - but I do get to the MAIN POINT eventually ;-)]
For a long time now - indeed, for as long as I can remember, I would say that I have felt “guided”, that somehow, I do end up in the right place at the right time, with the right idea. In recent years, especially as I have got more into personal development I have come to express this as “What you focus on, is what you get”
You see, I have never been strongly motivated by GOAL SETTING for example but I have always been pretty focused on the things I wanted in life. As a very young boy (around 8yrs old) I can clearly remember wanting to be dept free and financially independent and it is that focus which I’m sure assisted me in making some very good business decisions - decisions that have led to financial independence.
Any way, to get back on track, I mentioned in my original Law Of Attraction post that I was some what frustrated at all the publicity that the DVD “The Secret” was getting. Not because it was a bad DVD (I enjoyed it) but because it for me, overly simplified the strategy for getting what you wanted in life. (and in my opinion, could be misleading for some)
I mentioned that THINKING alone, rarely if ever makes anything happen. I mentioned that great book THINK AND GROW RICH and how it may have been more accurately Titled Think, Take Action and Grow Rich
Today, I would like to revise that further and say: Think, Pay Attention, Take Action and Grow Rich
Now please bear with me….. (this is a longer than average post)
One of the websites we bought last October was VipGlamour.net which is a Celebrity Blog
At the time of buying the site, it was averaging around 2464 visitors per week and I mentally set myself a target that it would be good to get weekly visitors up to in excess of 75000 visitors and then perhaps consider selling the website (flipping the website)
By April of this year, we were averaging 59985 visitors per week but in May it had come down to an average of 48682 visitors per week. Now I was not worried, but I was a little frustrated.
You see, I do not normally post on VipGlamour.net. To be frank, Brittany and Paris and all their late night activities didn’t interest me that much - so I left most of the posts in the hands of a very useful team of Volunteer Bloggers that we have. (Up until what I am just about to tell you, I had only done two posts before)
Anyway, last Monday Morning, (11th June) I was on YouTube, just briefly looking at what was “hot” when I spotted a Video of a brilliant young Welshman called Paul Potts. Paul is an Amateur Opera Singer and a Mobile Phone Salesman and he had just appeared on the UK TV Show: Britain’s Got Talent
I will never be able to explain why, but Paul Potts caught my attention big time and for some reason I just “thought” this is a FUTURE CELEBRITY and perhaps this video would be worthy of a post at VIPGlamour.net
Now if I had thought about this much longer, I may have thought making a post about Paul Potts really did not make sense, after all, where would he fit in with an audience that normally wants info on Kate Moss, Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears?
Now if you have not heard of Paul Potts yet, then I think there is a very good chance you will soon. To say Paul Potts was HOT online last week, would be an understatement.
In the end, featuring Paul Potts last week at VIP Glamour gave us our best week for visitors ever, with 90616 UNIQUE visitors in the week and currently 202 comments made in response to my original post. Any of you Professional Bloggers out there will appreciate just how big a response 202 comments is - something that usually only the very TOP BLOGGERS can expect to get.
To further add to this remarkable story. Last night, Paul Potts won the Final of Britain’s Got Talent.
Now, my question for you and for MYSELF is “What is I had not been paying attention to that Inner Voice” and perhaps more importantly what if I had decided to not listen to it and take action?
For sure, we would not have had that RECORD BREAKING week at VIPGLAMOUR.net last week.
So to repeat - for me the Law of Attraction is not just about “Thinking and Attracting” - it is about:
Thinking, Paying Attention, Taking Action and Growing Rich
Another remarkable thing is that I heard Paul Potts (the subject of my original post) say in an interview that he was not even sure he wanted to enter Britain’s Got Talent - as he had more or less gave up on his music career. Now that is almost Scary - because Paul has the most amazing talent and ability to connect with the general public with his singing and I can only think how much poorer the lives on many people would be today if Paul had not “PAID ATTENTION” to his inner voice and entered Britain’s Got Talent.
So I have a question for all of us;
What great TALENT has laid un-discovered just because we did not PAY ATTENTION to our inner voice.
I am Amazed that we came so close to not discovering Paul Potts Talent and I am somewhat embarrassed (in a good way) that as knowledgeable as I am about the LAW OF ATTRACTION I could just so easily not be relating this story today.
A short post - just to promote one of my other (Midascode Ltd) websites : Retired at 21
Check out a great interview with a remarkable young man that I had the opportunity to meet at Yanik Silvers UK Underground Seminar last year - John Beede, an author, a hugely successful public speaker, and… a rock climber.
The first question John is asked answers a question I have often asked myself of people who partake in any form of extreme sport and that is: WHY does he climb
His answer is I feel inspiring and explains a lot about what values have led John to become the amazing Human Being that he is.
If you have to ask “WHY?”… then you’ll never really understand why.
I don’t climb to reach the tops of mountains. I don’t mountaineer to explore some of the most remote and challenging locations on the planet. I climb to reach my top personal performance. I mountaineer to explore the most remote and challenging locations inside myself.
A journey into the mountains is as much an inward journey as anything else.
When you’ve hiked 26 kilometers with 40 pounds on your back, gaining 2,000 meters in elevation, at an already agonizing elevation, you stop wondering what your body can do, and you start exploring what your inner-will and inner-strength can muster up.
This probably makes you think I’m even crazier… but I’m cool with that.
As an entrepreneur and marketer you are always on the look out of new ideas, suggestions or angles that can be transferred from one market to another.
For me, this includes when travelling, reading local newspapers, listening to other business owners and observing traders and their customers and the interaction that occurs.
Notice the word LISTEN here.
I mention this because I had one of those remarkable AHA! Moments this week when listening to a Market Trader and his customer on a Open Air Market Stall in London.
I say AHA not because I learned something new, but because it reminded me of something I already know very well and should never forget - and that is THE POWER OF QUESTIONS
It was early morning and the stall holder had not quite got all his goods out on display (a range of very interesting ROCK STAR photographs that had been digitally altered and enhanced) but he was already having some interest in his display.
One young man of around 18 or 19 was particularly interested in one photograph and enquired the price to which the stall holder replied:
“£35 to include frame” and that this was his “Special Early Morning Just Getting Started Price”
“Normal price £43″ or so he said.
Almost with out stopping to even think the young man responded:
“Thank you very much, but can I have your late on a rainy day when you have taken almost No Money Price instead?
The Stall Holders face looked a bit surprised and taken back to start with but his face quickly changed to a smile when he said:
“To you young man £22″
A remarkable £13 discount or 37% Discount just for asking the right question!!
Sometimes in negotiations, and in particular when negotiating with fellow, self made business people - you can get the most remarkable results for just having the CHEEK to ask!
In this case, I’m sure the Stall Holder was so impressed with the young man that he felt compelled to reward his INITIATIVE.
Well Done that young man - and remember in Selling and Negotiation, the POWER OF ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
Once in a while you come across a business book that really has some substance - one that inspires, entertains, motivates and educates.
Such a book is Anyone Can Do it - The Autobiography of Duncan Bannatyne - From Ice Cream Van to Dragons’ Den
Not sure how many of my Non UK readers know who Duncan is - but he is one of the UKs leading entrepreneurs - a self made man that can from very humble (poor) beginnings to become very rich.
Duncan has made something like £100 Million and the recurring theme of this book is that is someone like him can make £100 million, then anyone can!
I have to say as something of a “self-made man” myself (but not currently in the style of Duncan) there was tons of really good advice and inspiration in this book.
Right from the first paragraph, Duncan proclaims: “that if you had a childhood like mine, you’ll never get bored of using private jets, owning luxury villas or staying in the best hotels”.
Well Duncan, I don’t have the private jets, but I can relate to that
Indeed, the reason why so many successful entrepreneurs are as motivated as they are is simply that they decided early on in their lives that they HATED being POOR and once more, they appreciated and understood that being financially poor is as much a choice as deciding to be financially RICH. (I’m just waiting for all those emails disagreeing with me now!)
There is much much more to the book than MOTIVATION, there is also lots of good old fashioned practical business advice - such as for example, lowering your accountancy fees with regards to Government Policy / Taxation etc - by simply approaching each Government Department direct and obtaining all the guides and advice on how to for example: Take on Employees or Register For VAT
So often, business people are too scared of “Government” and have their accountants do even the simplest of tasks for them, when they would be far better of doing it themselves (and learning and understanding the process) rather than wasting money that on many occasions they cannot really afford, especially it those early start up days.
I dare say you could also say that Duncan Bannatyne is a Frugal Entrepreneur - who despite his great success has never lost touch with the Value of things. Indeed FRUGAL is a trait I often find some of the most successful entrepreneurs share.
Anyone Can Do it - Very inspirational - especially if you are seeking the motivation to start your own business or to take the business you have to a greater level.
Not sure how many of my UK readers watch Badger or Bust on SKY ONE - but if you don’t already, then I highly recommend it.
If you are a fan of The Apprentice, Dragons Den etc (and I admit I am) then I’m pretty sure you will find Badger or Bust very entertaining and also I hope somewhat educational and inspiring.
Ruth Badger, the Star of the Show was Alan Sugars Runner-up in the 2006 UK Version of the Apprentice and in my opinion, the real star of that show.
I have watched two Badger or Bust shows now - last weeks visit to a company selling Caravans and this weeks visit to a company selling Conservatories and Double Glazing.
Any of us who have ever been involved in the double glazing business would I’m sure have recognised all the “characters” in this show - from the very nice and sincere business owners (who frankly came across as being a bit naive about the Direct Sales end of the Double Glazing business) right through to the salespeople - who frankly seemed to have no interest in any one but themselves.
It is never entirely fair to comment on any business without knowing all the facts - but this business was in one very sorry state of affairs and as it turns out, Ruth got to this business just too late as infact this business did go BUST
If you can catch a repeat on Skyone - then do, even if you are not involved in home improvements or the double glazing industry, you will I believe find it interesting and yes even entertaining.
One Final Note - If you said to most people, I could see you as a Double Glazing salesperson, then frankly most people would be offended. I suspect however that Ruth Badger would be the exception to that - she is one tough lady and would make a Top Double Glazing salesperson - no doubt. (But then Ruth would I’m sure excel, no matter where she went)
BADGER OR BUST is a new six-part factual entertainment programme, following sales whiz Ruth Badger’s fearless attempts to turn some of Britain’s most struggling sales teams into winners. Visiting a different classic sales environment each week, such as a double glazing company and an estate agents, The Badger gets very swiftly to the heart of the problem and wastes no time telling the boss where they’ve gone wrong and how to fix it - if she fails, her reputation and their jobs are at stake.
“So, in at the deep end, any business that is struggling, I roll my sleeves up and ensure that they perform. Either way, kicking or screaming, I get results!”
It seems that almost everywhere you look at present, someone is discussing “The Secret”, by Rhonda Byrne.
From the mighty OPRAH to the 1000’s of blogs, they all have a “take” on the secret.
In the main, the feedback is positive but a growing number of people are starting to point out what has been obvious to a number of people, for some time now - and that is that: THE SECRET - IS REALLY NO BIG SECRET.
This is simply the LAW OF ATTRACTION - and the amazing power of the LAW OF ATTRACTION (LOA)
My concern is that the Law Of Attraction as presented in The Secret is to some extent being presented as a “Cure all” for modern wows, a solution to all of our personal problems. Well indeed it might be, but only if it is also combined with a huge amount of APPLICATION and DOING.
And it is the fact that there appears to be less emphasis on the APPLICATION and DOING part that is bringing out the most criticism of “The Secret”
Many years ago I read The Law of Success and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and it was in these books that I first became fully aware of the power of my thoughts to dictate my actions and my results.
Now a title like Think and Grow Rich is a great title for a book - and I expect the Title in itself was one the reasons it became a best seller, but truthfully a better title for the book and the message in it may have been: Think, Take Action and Grow Rich. You see LAW OF ATTRACTION or not, Action is Required to achieve that Dream.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that “The Secret” and those who appear on it are Charlatans - indeed a good number of the people featured, I respect highly.
What I am saying is that Thinking Something in itself will not make something happen.
What you focus on is what you get - but really a more accurate definition is: What you Focus On and Diligently Apply Your time To Achieving - YOU GET.
In the interest of some balance I share some links below:
Interestingly, I have started to notice that many of the Gurus featured in The Secret are starting to in their interviews give greater emphasis on the DOING and TAKING action part of The Law Of Attraction - In particular I notice that James Ray and Bob Proctor are keen to make this point.
I just hope that enough of the people who are turned on to The Secret get that point also, rather than just thinking that “happy positive thoughts” (as nice as they are) will cure all life’s problems.
In the video below, Bob Proctor and moneymaking and business-building expert, John Assaraf, discuss how you can become more successful in life with “The Secret.”
Note, how John Assaraf talks about The Law Of Action - You Have To Get Of Your Butt!
Also note how Bob Proctor points out that other important point - The Law Of Attaction works both ways - We attract everything, both Good and Bad.
I really don’t need to give an explanation with this one, do I?
My good friend Matthew Glover of West Yorkshire Windows and The Conservatory Outlet has been making videos again!
This time, his video is I’m sure going to get a good deal more attention than the usual Home Improvement Punters
Actually, it is all for a good cause really - the “stills” are taken from a Charity Calendar which raised money for their favourite charity www.Heal.co.uk
One of the benefits of these long tail Keywords was that often it was relatively inexpensive to bid on these terms - certainly a lot less expensive than bidding on the Top Generic terms
However, of late, I have been noticing something else, in that some advertisers are now starting to bid as much or even more on some “long tail” converting keywords.
Going back to the Home Improvement Industry as an example.
Which of the following searches is most likely to have been made by a buyer?
A search for “Kitchens”
A search for “Kitchens Essex”
or a search for “Kitchen Supplier in Brentwood Essex”
I would suggest the person who searched “Kitchen Supplier in Brentwood Essex” is more likely to be a buyer, and as such, it is as valuable a term to bid on as say “kitchens”
Ranking high for Kitchens or Kitchens UK is of course great, but it is more of an EGO THING. If you want to make money - then those Long Tail Keywords are just as important.
In above article - Matt Bailey discusses a client for whom he created a report.
The report showed that his top 10 terms brought in over half of the site’s overall search referrals. However, when looking at sales generated by search terms,18.6% of conversions were from top 10 keywords. Conversely, 81.2% of the conversions were from hundreds of other search terms outside of the top 10. The 80/20 rule works in reverse, providing a ’sweet spot’ of opportunity.
By the way, credit, where credit is due, the above is just one of the many Big Ahas! I received from being a member of the Yanik Silver’s Internet Mastermind Group
As many of you know, I am a big fan of the Mastermind Group Idea
Napoleon Hill author of “Think And Grow Rich” is usually credited with popularising the concept of the Mastermind Group - as we know it in the last 100 years or so.
Of the Mastermind principle he wrote that it is:
“The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”
He also continues that …
“No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind.
During our recent visit to Washington DC, for Yanik Silvers Underground III, Yanik asked some of us Masterminders (myself included) to take to the stage and relate some of our experiences with the Yanik Silver Mastermind Group. To relate as Yanik puts it ‘our big AHA! moments’ or our big Breakthroughs from being members of the Mastermind.
A quick look over some of the above links and it is very clear this is a very diverse group. Indeed, I’m sure many of us would agree, that in the so called “normal world” we would not have chose to hang out together or have considered we had very much in common. The one common point that we all shared was a good deal of success in our own Niches, a willingness to share our experiences and a commitment to give constructive feedback to our fellow Masterminders.
With a successful Mastermind Group you get clarity and vision and input from lots of other successful people who are not as “close” to your situation as you are and perhaps that’s the greatest benefit. And of course the great friendships that you make.
Thank you fellow Masterminders and in particular, thank you for allowing me to reveal your identity at BarryDunlop.com
As for my personal GREAT AHAS! - I will be revealing some of them in future posts
Yanik’s Mastermind Group is almost always Sold Out just as soon as he releases it each year, but for next year you might like to check out: Yanik Silver’s Internet Mastermind Group
Finally, If you are interested in starting your own Mastermind Group, I found this excellent article online
Yanik Silver Underground Seminar - My Favourite Speakers
A very nice feature that Yanik has at his Underground Seminars is that the Audience gets to vote for their favourite speaker - and that speaker gets a cheque for $10000 to give to their favourite charity.
This year the winner was a remarkable 23 year old called Jermaine Griggs - our final presenter on Sunday, who really has an amazing story.
Jermaine Griggs is a 23-year old piano extraordinaire, entrepreneur, and minister, who has taught thousands of people how to play the piano by ear. Well done Jermaine.
To be frank selecting a winner out of so many great speakers is not at all easy and for me personally, they were all great - but here is my attempt to at least make a short list of those speakers who had the most personal impact on me.
By the way, the speakers are not in any order, but hopefully it will give you an idea of the quality of people Yanik brings along
Darren Rowse
Darren is the guy behind ProBlogger
If you know anything about Blogging - then you know of Darren. Indeed, in my opinion, Darrens site is a must read website, no matter if you are a blogger or not.
Perry Belcher
Perry is a personal friend and a fellow Masterminder - who literally blew the house away with his presentation.
If ever the term: serial entrepreneur could be applied to anyone it is Perry Belcher
Perry is also famous for his Perryisms - take for example:
Markets Are Like Girlfriends, You Have To Pick Them Wisely…
…But Unlike Girlfriends, You Can Be Involved with As Many Markets As You Want…
Perry is currently involved in: 75 Different Markets
What can I say? Just out of this world. If you don’t think you want to be an online Auction Seller then I think Andrews presentation, will make you think differently. I know it did for me. Some very very clever ideas, that currently you will not hear anywhere else. I won’t reveal too much here, but just lets say, my ears picked up as this has something to do with Lead Generation, something that I am particularly interested in.
Check our Andrews website: sendmyfreegift.com and in particular the Video Testimonial by Dr. Joseph Mercola
John made an amazing presentation which showed just how well an offline Direct Marketing business can be “married” with an Online Marketing business.
Not only a great speaker, but John also was one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet, as I discovered over dinner at the Friday Evening Networking Dinner. Thank you John.
