Online Business Success In A Sentence

The conversation taking place on my previous post has been contagious.

So much so, it’s sparked a renewed enthusiasm on my part to tackle bigger challenges and issues currently taking place in our community, while also delivering profitable distinctions you can use to immediate grow your business.

Today, we’re going to roll-up our sleeves and begin a series that’ll solve the riddle of successful marketing. I said a series (as opposed to a single post) because we’re going to dive deep into what really makes insanely profitable marketing work – and that’s going to require some reflection on your part.

So, here’s the deal… I am going to post a new post (the next installment) each morning at exactly 10 A.M. on the dot everday this week.

Now, I want you to know I haven’t pre-written these posts. You see, I want this to be a dialogue – not a monologue. I’m going to use the comments you provide to guide me in sharing the next step.

That means you’ve got a responsibility too. Normally, only 1 out of every 350 readers takes the time to comment on an individual post. That means the views expressed in the comments section represent the vocal minority instead of the silent majority. We can do a lot better than that. Even if you agree with what’s been said, take a minute and comment so I can take your input into consideration in the next post. Agreed?

I promise you this: what you get from this series will be a reflection of what you put in. Stated more simply, if you play along… you’ll increase the profitable payoff you receive.

Alright, enough of that… let’s dive in…

In my last post I asked you if you’d like to know how I know my prospect’s problems better than they do – and the answer I received back was an astounding YES! So, that’s what we’re going to focus on this week.

And it all starts with a single sentence. In other words, I’m going to use this one sentence as the foundation for the entire series this week. Everything will build off this simple eight word sentence. Don’t be mistaken by it’s simplicity. Because buried deep inside these eight words is the key to massive success in business, politics, and every other area of life.

And here it is (in all it’s stunning simplicity):

“That which is most personal, is most general”

I realize right now you may neither see the power this sentence holds nor the answer it provides for growing your business. It’s my intention to show you both (the power and the answer) starting today and through the remainder of the series.

So, for today, let’s begin to break this sentence apart. To unwrap the words and begin to reveal the gift that is hidden below the surface.

It means that the deepest, most personal struggles you are currently facing do not, in fact, make you unique. Instead these deep issues are actually what you share in common with others.

And it’s exactly these shared deeper issues that’ll open the door to insanely profitable marketing.

Now, what makes this a huge opportunity, also makes it difficult to leverage. Because most of us have a hard time expressing (in words) the struggles we are currently facing. So today, I’d like you to reflect on one of the biggest struggles you are currently facing in your life. Spend 10-15 minutes writing about it, but not in an autobiographical sense. Instead, write about it as if it was a challenge that many of your closest friends were experiencing. Let it exude empathy…

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Here’s an example from my report, “The Entrepreneurial Emergency: The Uncertainty Syndrome”

Now, before you run off and get greater clarity on your own (profitable) struggle – please tell me two things in the comments below (remember, this is a dialogue and I really need you to participate)

1-What does the sentence “That which is most personal, is most general.” mean to you?

2-What do you want me to focus on tomorrow? What if anything I’ve said today is unclear and you’d like greater clarity on?

Thanks in advance for your comments. And remember, check back tomorrow morning (10 AM) because we’ll take this concept much further and much closer to being profitable for you.

The Next Post In The Series Is Posted – Just Click The Link Below…

-> Greater Empathy = Greater Rapport = Greater Profits <-

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Comments:

Stan Searcy

Aloha from Hawaii.. my interaction with your post and the comments that have followed has caused a reaction within me. And that is the point. by asking a question you have been able to generate reponses, a series of reactions that are both specifically personal/individual and at the same time somewhat generalizable(is that a word?)
All of us are individually distinct but we share some commonalities in our emotional reactions to things, events, stimulus, writings, videos etc etc.
What I chose to love may be my son, my athletics, my activities or anything else that may be unique to me but the emotion or feelings may be similar to those that others feel towards something else in their universe. It is kind of like we are each individually our own solar systems and our preferred emotional planets are orbiting us. Your planet may be entirely different than my own. The circumstances, the specifics are different but my emotional attachment may be exactly identical to one that you have to something different.
So how do I get specific with you? By focusing my story and my dialogue about the emotions or feelings that my audience shares with me. We can both experience the commonality if I can craft my telling well and in a voice you find familiar.
If you find the telling compelling we can establish a rapport and you may find yourself interested in my recomendations.
David T

Rich,

The following is my impression from your expression:

“Most general” could also be translated as “Universal”

“Most personal” could be translated as “Change” (as in the constant flurry of personal changes each one of us face moment to moment)(I know the important changes that I face are very personal-not to be confused with “private”)

Therefore, Change is Universal

Why this recognition is important is because through it we can become empowered to be proactive towards constant change by preparation (status quo is an illusion)
http://nharmony.co.nz Jacqui Olliver

Because we are all human and we all suffer from fear, anger, grief, doubt and aloneness.

In saying that we also can all experience joy, love, peace, fulfillment and contentment.

Our problems can become solutions to someone elses’ pain. Journeying through the darkness that someone else is experiencing will always give empathy and understanding.

When you know someone elses’ pain; you also know a possible solution. You can talk when you have walked.

It takes courage to stand up and walk your talk…
Please share your journey into the light :-)

Arohanui (big love)
Jacqui
http://www.strategicprofits.com Rich Schefren

thanks for commenting andrew – and i will be writing about that soon – so stay tuned.
http://www.strategicprofits.com Rich Schefren

you’re spot on greg – and that can be ethically used in marketing in a BIG way.

thanks for the compliment and the comment

rich
http://www.strategicprofits.com Rich Schefren

and cheers to your future success to louie!

do you know what niche you’ll be focusing on?
http://www.strategicprofits.com Rich Schefren

thanks for commenting paul

what i don’t think you (and many others) realize is that it’s the same thing that got me here – you see, i’m not selling businesses in a box even though i never used one (like many others).

i got to my current status, and my current success – by giving away great content that ultimately led to a lot of sales – and understanding this sentence was a huge factor in me becoming successful – hope that clarifies it.
http://www.strategicprofits.com Rich Schefren

yes stan… especially this point…

“By focusing my story and my dialogue about the emotions or feelings that my audience shares with me. We can both experience the commonality if I can craft my telling well and in a voice you find familiar.”

good job – you are on the right track – and aloha right back at ya!
http://www.strategicprofits.com Rich Schefren

that’s an interesting perspective david – that’s why i love to know what other get from my writing cause that wasn’t what i had in mind when i wrote it – but i totally see your point – so good job!

the question i have for you – how can you use your observation in marketing?
http://www.strategicprofits.com Rich Schefren

i love what you have written jacqui – good job – i checked out your site and found it very inspiring too – you certainly are a good writer

it sounds like this message (what you said) is right up your alley in what you do – so you probably didn’t learn anything new here – but you might in some of my other posts – thanks for the comment – and keep up the good work that you do, because the world certainly needs it!
http://www.HowtoMakeMoneyWorkforYou.com Philip Allen

That which is the most Personal is the Most General is true because what we care most about is what with give most of Personal Energy to and people connect with other people’s energy.
Although every person is unique in the talents & beliefs they hold (as a result of the choices their made in response to social conditioning) they all need love,freedom, certainty, sense of belonging so look to grow the best way they know how given the distortions they have created in their own minds.
To discover more about the workings of the oneness (uni-verse = one voice) visit the a AbundantMystic.com
http://www.robfargo.com Robert Fargo

This is a very powerful sentence we all have a shared commonalty of experience ie the economy the job market the strength of our Nation our Democracy our very way of life. The Entrepreneurial spirit that has made our country the greatest place on earth where every person has the potential to earn commensurate with their efforts.

Our hearts are large our compassion knows no bounds we as a people are used to being Free and the world has long looked to us as a bastion of Freedom. We are a Great people who work hard and suffer the slings and arrows of the world and in so doing absorb the problems associated with that Global experience ie World hunger,tyrants,communism, despots,critics that in some instances owe us their very existence to voice their criticisms.

Your words fall on thirsty ears to enliven my interest in Business; how to make mine more profitable and therefore enable me to give more back ie taxes and tything.

This is the ultimate to learn especially someone who is not wealthy enough to attain higher education through University.

Robert Fargo
http://www.leadguitarzero2hero.com Charl

Very good point and I haven’t thought about it in that light. Thanks for the new distinction!
http://www.specialistmetalworkskills.com Carl Huxley

What that sentence means to me is that you have to take the opportunity to put yourself in the position of the person with the problem. By doing that you can understand it and solve it for them.

I’m starting a blog. I want to use it as a market research tool. Once I get some feedback then I will know what my potential customers want and what services and products I should be developing to solve their problems.

My website is finding two audiences. One audience is looking for education. The other is looking for the solution to their problems with the services and products that I provide. I’m hoping to get the chance to get feedback from both of these.

I’d like to know more about the system that you use to gather and analyse the phrases in the responses to your blog posts and how you interpret the data to develop new products.
http://www.promovideopros.com Carroll

Thanks for sharing your personal challenges Rich.

This is a beautiful example of what “That which is most personal, is most general” really means.

What is clear from the value you’re providing to your readers, both in these posts, and in your attention to reading and replying to our comments, is your compassion and integrity.

I’ll bet that has come because of your challenges, not in spite of them.

Great series! Thanks!
http://www.theinternetsalesguy.com John

We are all deluded.

We think we’re “special” (how many times did your momma TELL you you were special?), that no one else is as messed up, that no one could possibly like us or understand us if they knew the depths of our “brokenness”.

What a revelation to learn that everyone else, from the most successful to the bum on the street, has the same self-doubts and insecurities! Yet, we live life crippled by our delusion that no one would like us if they knew us, that no one else could understand us.

What a blessing it is to meet someone who knows and empathizes with our mental machinations. We’ll share EVERYTHING with them. (Often times we MARRY them!)

How to be that person for other people, without using it to manipulate and SELL them something? There’s the rub.

It’s almost as if you have to (dare I say the word?) LOVE them!
http://lookgreatfeelhappy.blogspot.com Siti

I think it means what problems that we are having now personally are also experienced by many others and that’s what we share in common. If one is able to find solution to this common problem, it’s easier for them to get buyers for their product, because there are many people who share the same problem would like to find solution to the problem.
http://www.shrokman.com George Shrokman, Jr.

Everyone, from the floor sweeper to the executive on the top floor have a different “fear” inside about whatever someone is presenting.

Feel, identify, acknowledge, and then ease those fears with everyone involved from the bottom to the top and you will get the business.

Ease fear, objections disappear, and the price of your product vs. your competition does not matter.

After “pounding the turf” for nearly 40 years I am here to transform my slow and limited “turf” process to an internet process.

My questions:
How do you develop and plan the “process” to identify and address the individual fears when you are not there to verbally and/or physically identify and address them?

What is the process to transfer your friendly personality and warm smile that gets you past the executive’s “gatekeepers” on to the internet?
http://Claire-France-Perez.com Claire-France Perez

The questions are astute! But they are focused on the one doing the selling and not on the one doing the buying.

1) The trick is not to get stuck on the idea that sharing your story is required. That’s not necessarily the point. The idea is that they may share their story with you, and you are not judgmental or in a hurry. That is why Facebook is so popular. We can post a beef about our day, and a few responses let us know someone is listening. It is when you are caught deeply listening, even if it is only a tweet, you respond in kind. This response to conversation is where people can “vision” the kind of person you are and begin to trust you. You show up. You are kind. You post cool stuff. We like you.

2) The Image of Strength is sooooo old hat.

The fact is, we don’t need any images of any ideal. That’s all the stuff we can’t trust. The best way to get an idea of what kind of good will is “out there” for you is to post about a failure and every step that got you there. Ask for help! When your story is very real, and we can feel your actual anxiety, we jump up to help out! If you haven’t done the conversation thing very well, unqualified people show up. But if you are active in your circle, and people love what you bring to the table, they will rise up to help. When the website of a friend was down, I helped her with a page that said, “We need surgery and are in dire need of encouragement.” Her site is much-loved. She got over 500 testimonials and offers of money in less than three days. She had what Tara Hunt calls, “Whuffie.” It is a fund of good will that is more valuable than ideals of any kind. After we saw the response, we also posted a “Donate” button, and the gain was substantial when we let the entire list know that the situation was dire and would require funding. They jumped to the occasion!

3) When someone knows you have gone through the trouble of being a human and deeply listening–feelingly, empathetically–they are not thinking, “He is like me,” they are wondering, “What’s the next step? Where’s he going with this?” It’s like being a good dancer–we have to predict the next step together. There’s always a flow back and forth. Asking about their needs, and really listening by responding with your own reflection on the same issues, let’s them know they can talk to you. They feel you heard them.

Show up with goods, whether by tweeting links or sending out value to your list. Get the focus on them. (Hey! I found this cool thing you might like!!) Allow your faults to be perfectly ok. (My site is down and needs surgery.) Be kind. (“Love your pic!”)

Spread it around. Gain some friends in the process.

The response is bound to be, “So, I’ve seen you around here before. What do you do?”

cf
http://10plusGuides.com DavidP

I am seconding the first Comment by “Thomas” – very clearly expressed –so why not use what I like?
http://organiccosmeticsonline.com Sandie Hardman

I resonate with the line or statement and how it relates to me is that if we speak from our hearts, our truth, our love and our pain, others will always understand because at that level we have all had the same experiences. We have all been there, we have all lost a loved one, felt the joy of success, see new life join us on this planet, know what it feels like to fall and yearned for the joy of connection.
Go deep and we are all their together. Our soul connection is undeniable. We share the same air and we feel each other’s pain whether we want to admit it or not.