I’m About To Ruffle Some Feathers

Okay, my last post was all touchy feely because of Valentines Day. And I hope you learned a lot from the videos.

Today’s post goes more in the opposite direction. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few opt-outs after this goes up. But’s that’s the chance I have to take.

Okay, here goes…

Some of you have asked why I didn’t make the MP3s of the recent Jay Abraham calls available for download. And that’s understandable.

Because many marketing mavens freely give away their calls and teleseminars. I’ve been known to do so myself on occasion.

But not this one–and I’ll tell you why.

Jay and I wanted you to take specific action to gain access to those calls. That’s why you had to:

1 register and

2 be at a certain place at a certain time to listen.

We knew that many of you would probably be forced to juggle schedules and rework some things to be there.

And to be honest (and a little sneaky about it)…that’s exactly what we wanted you to do. We wanted you to move a few mountains to get to the goal.

Let me see if I can explain further…

When I was trying to build Strategic Profits to a more profitable level, I called Sy Sperling of Hair Club For Men to see if he had time to talk.

He told me, “Well, I have lunch free tomorrow.” Thing was, I was in New York. He was in California.

So what did I do?

I said, “I’ll see you then.” And I hopped on a plane and flew 3,000 miles for a lunch date.

Now, some might think I’m crazy to do that. Yes, the airfare was astronomical. Yes, I had to rearrange my week. Yes, it put a damper on my immediate plans.

But the payoff from that one meeting was worth WAAAAY more than what it cost to get there.

I’ll give you another example…

When I was scheduling my first consult with Jay Abraham, it was under similar circumstances…

It was EXTREMELY short notice, and I could have went the cheaper route and did a phone consult instead of a live meeting.

But I didn’t. Within hours, I was over 1000 miles from home, sitting in Jay’s office, getting a face-to-face education that’s paid off a MILLION times over since then.

So what’s my point here?

Growth takes pain. Sometimes you have get out of your comfort zone to make things happen.

Businesses are not built on the principle of convenience. They’re built on the steadfast notion that you’ll do anything it takes to make this work.

ANYTHING. IT. TAKES.

If that means jumping a plane cross country to suck up the wisdom of a multi-multi-millionaire for a few hours, then so be it.

If that means passing on the easy phoner so you can have some serious face time with one of the world’s leading marketing geniuses, then so be it.

And if that means clicking on a link to register for a call, then making sure you’re at a phone when it’s time, then, well…you be the judge.

So let me just say this one last thing…

We want a specific type of person to come to our Maven Maker event on the 27th, 28th, and 29th. And by now, you probably know who that is.

Someone who will move mountains to be there…

Someone who is solely focused on the end goal…

Someone who knows–without a doubt–that this is the very thing that will put their business over the top for good….and will do anything in their power to be there.

If that’s not you, then please don’t come.

I’m serious–I don’t want you to take a seat away from someone who is going to great lengths to sit under the tutelage of Jay and I.

And if you’ve already paid and you can’t meet the above criteria, then please ask for a refund and I’ll gladly give you every penny back.

Agreed?

Okay, that’s it. Sorry to be a bit forward, but I think it had to be said.

Please visit the link below if you’d like to be included in the exclusive group we’ll be teaching.

Reserve your spot

But before you do, I want you to ask yourself one question…

Is this right for me or not?

Rich



P.S. Yesterday I shared a tool I use when I am writing, today I just wanted to share a killer site for finding the best flights at the best rate with the least layover time. Check it out at Farecast.com



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  • http://www.squidoo.com/timefordollars MikeB

    Hi Rich,

    Your post was extremely blunt and to the point. I too requested the MP3, but I understand now why you did not make it available. You wanted to force people out of their comfort zone. Which is not easy to do by the way.

    One thing that I really appreciate about the way that you say things, even though I may not agree with you at the time, is that you make me think, especially about the way that I am doing things. Please note that I have no intention of unsubscribing.

    I really want to compliment you on something. Your “free” products are awesome and full of information and actionable steps. I am also glad to see you introduce some less expensive options like the newsletter, the mindmap, and the payment plans for the maven intensive home study. It really bummed me out that we were not able to get in on the BAP. In addition, I also really appreciate that you create the contests in order to force us to take action.

    To Your Success,
    Michael Blaes

  • Daniel

    Rich,

    I would like to say that although i appreciate why you are not willing to put the MP3′s on the web i think you should definitely rethink the way you schedule your teleseminars. I live in Israel for me each of the additional short notice teleseminars would have started at 1 am for me going on until 2 or 3 am. I was able to listen to the first call you did because there was an earlier and later call. But to be given a days notice, to be awake until 3am and then to be up at 6 am for work the next day and function properly was too much to ask from people living in different time zones. With more notice i could have moved business meetings from the morning to the afternoon to allow for being awake in the middle of the night. I believe that you should take this into account in future when you arrange calls like this. or find a way for them to be re broadcast within 12 or 18 hours to allow those of us in vastly different time zones to be able to listen in.

    For the sake of people like me who would have done virtually anything to listen even in the middle of the night i would ask you to rethink you view on putting the MP3′s on the web,

    thanks and looking forward to hearing and reading more frmo you in the future

    Daniel

  • http://www.marygriswold.com Mary E. Griswold

    Rich I need you 7 Jay desperately but I cannot afford you at the moment. Need refund. Probably when I have the money I won’t need you anyway because I will have the know-how to do it. Really I do need your expertise but I need my home at the moment. Perhaps later. Thanks. God bless you.
    Mary

  • alltweed

    Weird…I am thinking to myself.,

    Am I the only one with my perspective on this issue. I can understand Rich’s point of view and those of the others who expected the download.

    What’s not being said IMO is twofold.

    1) Look how we(IMers) have been conditioned. For the most part – to get downloads after registering. So, is this conditioning or wining? Moreover, we know there are legitimate reasons to benefit from post event downloads. Time conflicts etc…Are we not making time to register, download and give mindshare to the topic at hand… a valuable exchange in this world of information overload. Will some abuse this – of course.

    2) The problem I have with the “move mountains to make it happen” philosophy is that although we might truly respect the particiapants in an upcoming call – few are truly earth shatering events – but rather disguised pitches. Are their excpetions – of course. Some people disguise it betters than others.

    IMO, until this trend changes – and moves more toward the Kern MC approach where the free line advances forward and this beocmes the rule not the exception, I would say that is the marketing challenge to overcome. Rich addresses many of these issues in his Attention Doctron.

    Point:

    1) I think its too soon to wash people from your a list that have not followed your desired methodology. How about implemting the US vs THEM MC strategy to address information overload and disguised sales pitches tied to an awseome bonus(a sample of what your teaching for free) to get people off their buts…Just my opinon for today. Subject to change :)…

    2) I can’t say I would not want the same result as Rich, but if I am going to change the norm – I might think about how to make that transition result in higher conversions short term.

  • http://www.MakeMyMarketingWork.com Paul Keetch

    Rich, et al…

    I don’t know how many free call recordings I have on my computer, that I simply have never listened to. I downloaded them because they were there…

    I even have some of Rich’s previous MP3s and haven’t listened to them (shame on me :)) as well as Jay Abraham.

    When you start a business (regardless of whether it is an online business or an offline business) you must be prepared to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to succeed.

    You must be willing to MAKE ANYTHING WORK.

    If you are an international customer or list-member of Rich’s you must be willing to stay up all night just to be on these calls.

    I used to host tele-training calls for T. Harv Eker, when I worked as Marketing Manager for Peak Potentials Training.

    The calls took place at 4pm and 7pm Pacific Time and there were *ALWAYS* people from Australia, Africa, Europe and Asia on the line.

    My impression is that people who are willing to do what it takes to get what they need in order to be successful (like stay up for a late call, fly to LA to meet with a mentor, etc) are the ones who are most likely to be successful in the long run.

    The people who are only willing to whine, complain and blame others are the ones who will always be less successful.

    You create your own reality. Your mindset, actions and the words you use affect your outcome.

    If you believe that Rich is being unfair by not releasing these MP3s, then I’m willing to bet you find many other things in life unfair.

    Or if, like one commenter on this post, you have noticed that there were additional call times available to participate on, and if you took the initiative to get on one of those calls, I’m willing to bet you are experiencing your share of success in life.

    And as “keithd” mentioned, Rich is an expert marketer and YOU ARE BEING MARKETED TO.

    Take the opportunity to learn through the experience of being on the receiving end of that effort.

    You don’t have to like it. Choose to understand that you will do something different yourself, if given the chance.

    You don’t have to buy what he’s selling. You are in control of your credit card, not Rich!

    But pay close, careful attention to what and how Rich does what he does because he is a PRO.

    Keep up the great work Rich and Co!

    Paul Keetch

    –
    Access our free marketing videos “The 7 Keys to Marketing Success” absolutely free at: http://www.MakeMyMarketingWork.com.

  • http://www.christlikebiz.com Teresa

    Hey all, I just thought that I would jump in to the fray, and see if I can smooth out said ruffled feathers. As such, I wish to address my comments to two different camps.

    First to those who are choosing to opt-out because they are unable to accept the truth that Rich is presenting, I say this. I am truly sorry to see you go, yet in a way I find it to be a good thing, and even a breath of fresh air. By putting things in such a blunt manner, Rich is separating the wheat from the chaff, and pruning his list of those who are unwilling to take action. I also feel compelled to speak the truth in love on one matter. The fact is that Jay and Rich are the best at what they do, and if you take the time to reread the posts leading up to this one, and take it all in as a whole, you would see that it is all part of Riches plan. Are we being marketed to, yes, but so what! Take it as it is, and better yet learn from it. A good teacher always leads by example, and his actions speak a lot louder than his words. A good friend of mine once said, “Do for others, cost what it may.” Whether some of you are willing to admit it or not, no matter how brash, or uncaring Rich and Jay may appear, their intent is to put others first. Why else would Rich provide such valuable content, and the various contests? Certainly not for his own benefit. While I could go on, there is no use belaboring the point.

    Now Rich, I just want to encourage you directly, keep doing what you are doing, and I am looking forward to digesting all that you have to serve up. Love in Christ, Teresa

  • http://hisrealestatenetwork.com/good-steward-intro.php Danny W

    Rich,

    I love how you’ve embraced this whole new world of Web 2.0 such that someone comes into your place of business and calls you an idiot (Jonathan, above) and you…

    do Nothing.

    I respect that you respect that the intelligence of your customers and subscribers is such that they can decide themselves what to believe..

    and to whom they should give their precious Attention.

  • http://northmanagement.com/ North Management

    That’s business. Do what you gottah do to succeed even at any cost as the reward will be 10 or 100 times greater.

    Yes we can be Rich. :)

  • http://familysale.StartYourLifeNow.com Rick Carter

    Thank you, Rich. I listened to the Maven call while I was driving, and I actually pulled over to the side of the road to write down the list of … well, I probably shouldn’t give it away to the people who couldn’t make the call.

    Oh, and to all the people complaining about Jay and Rich not accomodating THEIR schedules or giving away free MP3s: boo-freaking-hoo. Like Tom Hanks told Matt Damon at the end of “Saving Private Ryan”: “Earn this.”

    If a FREE phone call with Jay Abraham and Rich Schefren – actually, there were about 3, weren’t there? – isn’t worth rearranging a schedule, then what is?

  • Kyle

    Hey Rich,

    Thanks for your antiquated take-away approach.

    Let’s face the facts, not everyone has the same level of commitment and most people are searching for a logical reason to go forward with their internet dreams. I for one wouldn’t dismiss anyone’s attempt to grab onto the hope your well written sale letter gives them. I also wouldn’t penalize anyone for “paying to play” even though they may not completely understand the rules of the game.

    Let the dreams begin!!!

    What’s the right answer? I sure don’t know but what I do know is that every major “Maven” has hit the internet scene with the “Next Best Thing” which causes confusion. I’m most confused because these same “Mavens” have edified each other leaving us average folks wondering who to follow? Hypothetically if Jay says Rich is great and Rich says Frank is great and Frank says Perry is great and they all come out with the next greatest money making system, who should you listen too?

    Sign me “Confused But Looking”

    Kyle

  • Christine

    There are many free conference calls that I wish that I had the time to attend.

    Yes–I do have many pdf documents and mp3 audios on my computer that I have not yet read or listened to. (but I am systematically in the process of doing so!)

    There are simply not enough hours in the day–and I am already on the computer more and more all the time. There is so much valuable information out there!

    I am in one of Jay’s mentoring programs–and it’s all that I can do to keep up with it! I can only add other things–if I can do them when I have the chance!

    While I see no reason to unsubscribe over this–and it’s certainly your right to not have the mp3 available for download–I do think you are being a little unreasonable about the whole thing! (but that’s just my opinion)

  • http://www.christlikebiz.com Teresa

    I respect thoes who can respectfully disagree while keeping things low key. Love in Christ, Teresa

  • http://pebblesfromparadise.com Stephen Bray

    Rich,

    Does Growth Necessarily Require Pain?

    I’m not a religious person but this quote from the sermon on the mount comes to mind: “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.”

    My guess is that you were excited about all those meetings you jumped on aeroplanes to attend? You were following your flow. Other people want to live their lives at different paces.

    Both are okay, except when jumping on planes and marching along to someone else’s’ tune becomes obsessive, or boring.

    If you believe that you can only grow through pain then I guess that’s what you will get. For myself, however, I prefer to be more gentle with myself.

    Now if you had written . . . “We only wanted people who would reschedule their lives, because we know that such people are far more likely to commit ultimately to a purchase”, then I would have to agree that’s probably the case.

    Go well Rich . . . . and relax!

    Stephen :-)

  • vokn

    Hi there,

    I hate to be a pain somewhere low down and still I’m very curious.

    There was a contest started with the blog post from 10/26/2006, something about “Win A Trip To South Florida to Meet Rich and Agora”.

    Was there ever a winner chosen or did that get lost somehow?
    Didn’t find any notice on the blog.

    Best regards

    vokn

  • Day jobber

    Richard,

    All you IM guru’s are full of hype.If anything is given for free it’s becuase it is of ZERO value to those who want to use it but need to attend your costly workshops.Even so there is no payback as the guru’s word is the bible and you did’nt take action!.
    Thats the real ‘secret’ is’nt it ? Tie up with a top dog like Jay by paying him a tidy sum so that he will lend his name to a nobody like yourself so you can climb up the ‘Guru’ ladder.

    Not everybody can be fooled people.Dont buy into this rehashed and recycled crap!.Take it for what it is.ie hype,hype,hype,hype.The internet is so full of these shovel sellers who want to make a buck from selling their ‘products’ to you unsuspecting victims.

    If you still want to buy this product,ask for a 1000% money back guarantee if you dont get the results promised.Chances are most of them will go tell you to shove it!

    People,dont get taken in by these circus performers!.You have only yourself to blame.

    - Adrian (Financially free day jobber)

  • Al

    Hmm…some of us are constricted by circumstance when it comes to this type of thing. Those who are hearing impaired when it comes to phone calls & mp3s. The vision impaired when it comes to videos.

    Since you work from lists, you have no way of knowing the any of the barriers your subscribers face. Just take care to occasionally remember there are people who have legitimate reasons the don’t sign up for certain things. It’s not because they wouldn’t like the info or don’t have the drive to succeed, but because the format presents more of a barrier than a help.

    Have a great conference next week!

    Al

  • DSmith

    Don’t forget Rich, that you have people on the other side of the world in totally different time zones on your lists – like me for example!

    While I understand that your primary market is your own backyard I do get frustrated (in general) when we have to miss out on webinars and teleconferences that are basically impossible to use or participate in.

  • http://www.StartYourLifeNow.com Rick

    Rich,
    Reading the responses to this post is like reading “Atlas Shrugged”:
    -some people praise you for creating a thing that adds value, and for charging people for it;
    -some people damn you for creating a thing that adds value and for charging people for it.
    Unbelievable. You’d have thought that THAT debate was pretty much over by 2008.

  • http://www.mygpscar.com Lee

    Rick,

    Thanks for the email…

    Lee…www.mygpscar.com

  • Johnny

    Rich,

    How many people were actually complaining about not receiving the freebies (ten or hundreds)? And of those individuals, how many opt-outs have actually been received? I’m not certain but I get the sense that this thread is a marketing tactic to get people to join up last minute. Other than that, thanks for the freebies. They are appreciated.

  • http://tools.zinnia.org/ Joy

    I didn’t exactly ask for an mp3, I just said

    It would sure work better if you just made it a download. What’s the big deal about having to call at a certain time for a rebroadcast of a phone call? Are you living in the 20th century or what?

    And really I wasn’t trying to get an mp3 when I wrote that. It’s just that the email that came after the call assumed that I had heard it and was just trying to decide which way to spend my money. The whole setup had lots of flaws that didn’t look like the work of a “guru marketer”.
    It all sounds like hype to me and I didn’t like it. Besides which, I don’t have a business to grow or a niche to be a maven for, so I’m not really in the target market. I signed up for the call thinking I could learn something anyway, but forgot about it by the time it happened (not everyone checks their email constantly).
    Now this little scheme to remove the ruffled feathers people… if anyone falls for that, they deserve what they get.

  • http://www.southernsundress.com sundress

    Wow, talk about taking some heat from a blog post. Guys, its JUST a blog post! I really appreciate your honest approach. You can never make anyone happy and its best to stay true and speak your mind.

  • Andy

    Nothing like a bit of controversy to get publicity. take this post as a lesson.

    The assumption that everyone didn’t drop everything, because they fail in not having the desire to really want to achieve, to attend any event is, is naive and arrogant.

    Step outside your goldfish bowl, and have a look in from the outside.

  • http://www.affiliatewealthnews.com Howard Williams

    Rich,

    Thank you so very much for the following statement:

    “Growth takes pain. Sometimes you have get out of your comfort zone to make things happen.

    Businesses are not built on the principle of convenience. They’re built on the steadfast notion that you’ll do anything it takes to make this work.

    ANYTHING. IT. TAKES.”

    These words are worth millions of dollars!!

    Howard Williams
    http://www.AffiliateWealthNews.com

  • http://www.work-at-home-wealth.com/blog/ Work-at-Home-Wealth

    Good point here! I did not attend the calls and I really would like to get it on MP3′s but I know what my priorities are and what Rich’s priorities are. He has all the right to run his business the way he likes and as you say, if you are not expecting to be spoon-fed “what to do’s”, just by visitng this blog you are getting tons of ideas and examples on how to run an internet business, and you (we) are getting them for FREE.

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