Here’s A Preview

Think about this:

It’s Monday, February 11, 2008 — just two months from today and you’re getting ready to introduce your new product to the online world.

But before you can tell people about your product or name your price…

- 60,552 unique visitors have already visited your blog to learn whatever they can about you and your new product

- 374 other blogs are buzzing about you

- More than 43,200 prospects have already watched at least one of nearly 200 videos that your prospects have just made about you posted online

- And 39,730 highly qualified prospects have opted in to your house list to make sure they’re among the first to know when your new product is released.

A fantasy? Absolutely not. This is precisely what’s happened since I released The Attention Age Volume Two just 13 short days ago!

Want to know what all the fuss is about?

Check this video out and tell me what you think might prevent you from being the maven of your market….



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  • Pingback: Rich Schefren Is A Big, Fat FRAUD! | Business Coaching For Internet Marketing Entrepreneurs

  • Cyprogirl

    In response to Dennis Tays post, dated Dec. 11

    What can I say….I feel COMPELLED to respond to your post. It took courage to speak your mind so candidly and I applaud you for doing so….especially in a venue where the vast majority are posting praise and kudos.

    I think you make a very good point though….that it takes MUCH more than a good idea or concept to achieve success, especially for newbies who don’t have the funding (and many other key elements) to become mavens in their markets. And like you, I would LOVE to see one of the already existing mavens step forward and offer THEMSELVES as well as their team of experts (free of charge) to assist those who not only have incredible ideas that could make a great deal of money, but which could provide REAL benefit to mankind and the planet…..and that the selection process NOT be based on who can create the most clever video!

    I can understand Schefren’s reasoning to a point….that it’s a means of weeding out those who will take action from those who won’t……but it’s an imperfect system. I’m sure there are people out here who have INCREDIBLE ideas which could benefit the MANY rather than the FEW, but who, for one reason or another, aren’t able to come up with a video in the allotted time….just as I’m sure there are those who WILL come up with videos (maybe even the winning one!) but who don’t have anything of REAL VALUE to offer. Instead, they simply want to make a buck!

    As for myself, I fall in the category of someone who has something I believe is genuinely INVALUABLE to offer….I’m talking about information that has the power to benefit virtually EVERY person on the planet (I know many of you might not believe it, but I’m talking about a proven “cure” for the common cold here, developed by a prominent allergy physician and comprised of ingredients that are inexpensive and readily available….and it REALLY WORKS!!). The trouble is, for a couple of reasons, I don’t have time RIGHT NOW to create a video, so I won’t be entering the contest….but I DEFINITELY have plans to share this information with the world, as well as every intention of actually DOING SO. I’ve even written directly to Rich with the details and asked him if he would be interested in helping me market it, however I didn’t receive a response. I’m willing to bet he never saw it….that it simply got lost in the sea of emails, blogs, etc he’s received since he released the “Attention Age Doctrine 2″.

    So….like yourself…..I’m putting myself out there and inviting Rich and his team (or anyone else who might be SERIOUSLY interested) to partner up with me to bring this information to the world….in a way that will benefit EVERYONE!! For this information truly IS a gold mine, both in terms of its value to mankind in general, as well as the pocketbook of anyone who is willing to partner up with me on this. Now the only question is….will one of the so-called “gurus” step forward to help me market it POWERFULLY, or will I be left to my own devices to bring it to the world? Either way….it’s GOING to happen!

  • Michael

    Guys,

    This marketing is great. If only I could figure out how to use it for an insurance agency. I really appreciate the advice of Rich and hopefully someday will be able to use it to make my firm grow.

  • Cyprogirl

    In terms of my response to Dennis Tays’ post, I feel the need to clarify something, lest my comments be misconstrued. Though I agree with some of the points Dennis made, I would NOT classify myself as someone who is looking for charity or a free handout. FAR FROM IT!! In fact, I’ve always been a VERY hard worker and more than willing to do whatever it takes to succeed on my own efforts….ask anyone who knows me!!

    I also genuinely believe that we, as individuals, are the creators of virtually EVERYTHING in our lives, not to mention responsible for whatever we do….or don’t….create. I also concur with Rich in that anyone can be successful if they have a good plan and are willing to work hard.

    The trouble is, how do you know if you have a good plan? There is SOOOO much information out there about how to succeed in the world of internet marketing, much of it conflicting. So how DO you sort the wheat from the chaff? Also, much of the information about how to succeed deals with selling information products that instruct others how to succeed selling information products….and so on. Of course, most of us agree that the entire tenor of marketing in general and internet marketing specifically is changing forevermore…..requiring new tactics to succeed….but we’re not entirely certain WHAT those new tactics should BE, which is why we count on “gurus” such as yourself, Rich, to guide us!

    My question is: what happens if you have information that truly IS revolutionary….that virtually NO ONE ELSE HAS…..ANYWHERE!!! Furthermore, what if this information has the potential to impact virtually EVERYONE on the planet….in a POSITIVE way? Naturally, I want to SHARE this information with as many people as possible, however I’m not beyond admitting that I would also enjoy making some money here! I’m also smart enough to recognize, though, that the very nature of this information is likely to require specialized strategic planning….I just don’t know HOW to go about CREATING a strategic plan that is likely to accomplish BOTH of my goals. I AM DEFINITELY WILLING TO WORK AT IT THOUGH!!!

    One last point of clarification: while I definitely believe in the concept of “paying it forward” (which is where I was coming from when I agreed that I’d like to see some of the existing mavens offer their services free of charge), I certainly did NOT mean to suggest that I think they should summarily hold the hand of those unwilling to do anything for themselves, until they achieve success. NOT AT ALL!! In truth, I have NO qualms whatsoever with “gurus” (or anyone else for that matter) charging for their valuable knowledge, and I am DEFINITELY willing to pay for quality coaching/instruction.

    In fact, when I “put myself out there” in my previous post, inviting Rich and his team to partner up with me to bring the information I have to the world, I honestly WASN’T looking for or asking for a FREE handout! Rather, I was simply asking for some personalized attention and instruction for MY SPECIFIC INFORMATION and how to best market it….in part because I understand that the very nature of the information I have to offer is going to require strategic planning to properly disseminate, and in part because time constraints do not permit me to participate in the video contest. Even so, I would still love to be included for consideration in the “maven-making” process. At the very least, I would LOVE to learn a FRACTION of what you know Rich….and I AM willing to pay for it….so I WILL stay tuned!

  • http://www.explorethesolutions.com Joymmor

    Cyprogirl, Dennis, and Other like minds,
    In your request for a partner to help you get your product to the masses did you mean a money partner, a mentor, a market list, a technical partner, a thinking partner, or maybe someone who will make it possible for your product to get to the people while you stay small and ignorant of the processes involved? I’ve been around for a lot of years and noticed over and over that when a product AND the producer is truly ready, the doors begin to open and the necessary partnerships begin to gel. If you have a product idea that will truly benefit all of mankind, you should be true to that gift you’ve been given and use your spare minutes to get it and yourself ready to pass it on.

    Put your energy into identifying the opening market (niche), preparing the sales copy (free instructions abound throughout the web), decide what form it should take as you pass it on. In this world the BEST and fastest way to get a product to the world is to sell it.Thank your Gods that gurus DON”T do all the work for you. If they did you would fail to grow in your capacity to make things happen in the marketing world (surely you don’t want that). It’s never just about what you know or who you know, but how you see yourself and how you put yourself into action steps (however small).
    Wishing you the best you can imagine.

  • http://www.mypowermall.com/Biz/Home/10998 Platostotle, The Philosopher Bear

    I found Rich’s reply to those who posted disparaging comments here unnecessary.

    (However, I completely understand how the urge to respond can be overwhelming when your blood is made to boil.)

    Rich, you’re right. “You will never make everyone in your market happy.” Any attempt to do so probably is the surest path to failure.

    It’s well enough that everything about Strategic Profits lays bare for all to see: A thriving business simply offers a win-win proposition that many find too good to refuse. Still, this business cannot provide value to everyone.

    I don’t think dissenters here don’t “get it.”

    Instead, they’re probably just frustrated (and possibly under some pressure, too) that their own unique win-win proposition is slow to blossom.

    Truth is positive action cannot be forced. It must be purposeful. This also takes patience. In the interim enter frustration.

    That said…

    NOT EVEN A BUSINESS-IN-A-BOX CAN ALTER THIS DYNAMIC.

    Click on my name. See for yourself.

  • http://josephratliff.name Joseph Ratliff

    Well now Dennis…

    Sure, the “Mavens” found an “open and lucrative” market within the online world…and created businesses when it was “easy” to make money within that market (like it’s ever “easy” to do that)…

    Isn’t that what marketing is? The ability to find those marketing opportunities Dennis? It seems as though you found one…so why aren’t you making it happen? The best business ideas in the world are consistently wasted under a thick bed of excuses and blaming others. It’s a sad thing.

    Are you telling us for a second, that if you found a “wide-open” market to do the same thing in…that you would openly share all of your resources with every other person that asked to create competition within that market and dilute your share of the profit potential? Come on Dennis, really?

    There is only one person that can make your business ideas and plans come to light…and that’s YOU Dennis, and you only.

    You can’t rely on Rich Schefren or anyone else to give you the “keys to the kingdom”. You have to “cut those keys” yourself.

    The Attention Age Doctrine was an excellent primer for “what is to come”…and if you read into it, study it, and absorb it…it gives you exactly what it is supposed to (for free by the way)…

    A starting point to a million dollar business.

    Period.

    It has nothing to do with “caring” or not Dennis…Rich’s newest report doesn’t have any heavy promotion behind it. Like any free resource, it’s entitled to “update” you on the latest seminar or coaching program available.

    The fact that Rich had this report prepared for us actually builds my respect for him. It takes time and resources to bring something like that to light (whether or not Rich outsourced the actual writing and production).

    Do you have a 93 page report loaded with content ready to share with us Dennis? Coaching? If so, where is it? I would love to read it and see the resources you have available to freely share. :)

    Joseph Ratliff

  • http://josephratliff.name Joseph Ratliff

    I just wanted to point out in my above comment, I was using the Attention Age Doctrine as an example, not the point of my comment. For some reason, that part of my comment did not transfer, sorry.

  • StopMonkeyingAround

    Rich,

    I second your comments. If I had $1.00 for every “it’s your fault that I’m not successful” from my own subscribers, I could have built or purchased 100 more profitable websites.

    Therefore, you upheld your honor and replied back to Dennis and the “Dennis-minded” community professionally and courteously.

    –>Dennis:
    You may have a great idea, but where’s your business plan?

    Did you even attempt to ask Rich to see if he might be interested in looking at your business plan/ideas?

    What ways have you tried to contact a busy person like Rich to get him interested in what you have to offer?

    How would Rich benefit from taking a look at your plan?

    The only thing I see here is you slamming the very person you think should be offering ALL of his services and million dollar insights for free.

    Now, why should he even help a person who can’t even help himself? I certainly wouldn’t.

    If you want success, own the responsibility required to make yourself a success.

    If you need charity, ask the government. They may have some self-employment grants. Or go and present your business idea to an angel investor or venture capitalist.

    See what they say.

    Remember this saying….
    “If it is to be, it is up to me”

    Ciao!

  • http://www.SEOTrainingLive.com/ Paul from SEO Training Live

    Rich and others….have to add a small note. When someone complains- Lets call it personal responsibility….Its easy NOT to succeed when you are waiting for someone else to do it for you….makes it easy to have no responsibility (its not my fault….)

    Behind every successful person on any stage is the hard work behind the scenes before they made it-they all started at zero sometime…..

    Well done to rich for the quality of information he puts out (does he sleep?)

    Paul
    http://www.SEOTrainingLive.com/

  • http://www.mypowermall.com/Biz/Home/10998 Platostotle, The Philosopher Bear

    I think whether Rich chooses to benefit MANY or FEW is his business, and whether he just might benefit you is yours to decide.

    That’s what I think.

    Now, here what I know

    Those who believe “lack of funding” is preventing their business success simply don’t get it … because, beyond a good idea or concept, the only thing that’s really needed is perseverance.

    Can you imagine someone holding the secret to curing the common cold could not easily put to work the most effective marketing tool known: WORD OF MOUTH?

  • Cyprogirl

    Thanks for your comments Joymmor. To answer your question, my “request” for a partner was NOT about getting someone to do the work FOR me, nor about finding someone to just GIVE me the money, a list or simply opening doors for me….or anything like that! I suppose, in hindsight, I ought to have thought more carefully before posting in this blog, as even reading my own words after the fact, I can see how easily my intentions could have been misconstrued. I’ll have to be more careful in the future.

    But believe me, I am NOT looking for a free ride here! Nor am I interested in staying “small and ignorant of the processes involved.” In fact, I’ve done my due diligence and put in a tremendous amount of effort over the past year trying to absorb and learn all I can about internet marketing in general, and I HAVE learned a LOT…including identifying my market niche, preparing sales copy…heck I’ve even written an entire BOOK on one of the subjects I plan to introduce. So I HAVE been doing the work to prepare for marketing it!

    I’ve also gotten VERY confused in the process, as much of what I’ve studied doesn’t seem to apply to the kind of information I have to offer, all of which comes out of extensive research done by my husband, who is a very brilliant and innovative physician….and all of which will most DEFINITELY benefit a HUGE number of people….and if you want to know what REALLY drives me….it starts and ends with doing my part in making a DIFFERENCE in other people’s lives!!

    Anyway, Rich’s Attention Age Doctrine 2 is the FIRST piece of internet marketing information that really RESONATED for me….which is why I’m here! Furthermore, I absolutely INTEND to follow through by signing up for his Business Growth System.

    So believe me….I AM working on it, and I firmly believe that my goals WILL be achieved! In the meantime, I’ll just keep plugging away at it!

  • brian

    Dennis,

    I feel for you , unfortunately themajority of people you refer to as idiots dont want to know the truth!!!!! they prefer to be gift wrapped, hence the old saying sell the sizzle not the stake.I run workshops seminars and training on sales, investments, personaldevelopment, bussiness etc and tried the format you are espousing…..unfortunately no one was interested in learning how to do it correctly and to make money they just wanted the quick fix the instant gratification… so that is why all the gurus you candidly refer to dont bother any more they just give you the sizzle and let you figure it out for your self sort of sink or swim… the stuff on this site is very interesting and i have implemented just one idea with minimal cost and fantastic results… so i dont subscribe to your comment that you need buckets of money to get it happening..i started with zip and built a multimillin dollar bussiness with ideas from sites like this one and tom hopkins and others… so can you, and the great thing is its free.. to learn more with greater depth go to there seminars ,worshops ,tutorials etc sure these cost but the investment is well worth it.

    regards

    brian norton

  • https://paydotcom.com/r/35523/stoltingmediagroup/2397201/ Arnold

    I was having a conversation with someone the other day about why celebrities who can afford a chocolate bar, or a cigarette lighter, would go and steal such objects and then get caught.

    For the ATTENTION of course!

    It seems like when the media is not covering someone, that person will go and do something stupid so that they become the topic of the day. (smart).

    I predict that the same thing will happen online now too.

    Marketers will start promoting products that at first glance will make people say what???

    I mean, take for example this video …

    https://paydotcom.com/r/35523/stoltingmediagroup/2397201/

    Tell me what you think….

  • Karen B.

    Dennis – I’ve been teaching those new to the net how to do things online to make money since 1999. And even back then very very few people succeeded. We GAVE them everything they needed – free mentoring, free tutorials, free resources, everything was F R E E. We brainstormed in chat sessions, on live broadcasts, at industry events. And STILL 90% of them failed.

    Why? They not only wanted it for free, they wanted it gift wrapped and handed to them on a silver platter! They just wanted to deposit the checks and drive the fancy car and have the gorgeous girl on their arm in six weeks or less. Without working for it or learning the basics and building up to more advanced things. With no effort – just bend over and pick up the cash.

    Even back then making money online was WORK. Hard work, often boring work. And constant learning. WE didn’t outsource, we learned how to do it ourselves. And so did every other successful webmaster of the time.

    There are three things needed for success on the net – the willingness to work – HARD, the ability to learn, and apprenticing yourself to someone who has “made it”. Whether you’re using someone’s list for your product, or buying a successful site’s exit traffic – you need to rub elbows with the folks on top or you’ll never be on top. And if you ignore the pearls of wisdom that drop from their mouths whether you’ve paid for those pearls or obtained them for free, you do so at your own peril.

    Stop making lame excuses, stop whining because you aren’t on top yet, come into the real world of the net and start learning from anyone who is willing to teach you.

    If you have another Google or UTube in your mind – you’re in the wrong place – you need to put together a business plan and talk to the venture capitalists. If you’re trying to build an internet business without learning how to do business on the net – you’re doomed to failure. And it’s your own failure, no one elses. Everything you need to be successful is online somewhere – all you have to do is apply yourself, learn it, then practice it.

    And if you really think all that will come together and you’ll be rolling in cash next week then I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’d just love to sell you!

  • http://www.internetsuccessjournal.com Albert Lee

    Dennis Tays, I strongly recommend you to read the book “How To Win Friends And Influence People” by Dale Carnegie.

    How do you expect someone to help you when you go to him and give him a slap in the face?

  • http://kensratingshub.blogspot.com Ken Fairchild

    HI Rich,

    So much has been said here I don’t think I can add much other than to say thank you, Rich, for the service and value you provide. Watching you has definitely been an education. And the way you responded to one of my comments just blew me away, truely the best customer service I have ever received, on line or off. Keep it going man. The very best to you and yours and especially a very Merry Christmas.

  • http://www.constantconversation.com Colin -> Get My Free Web2.0 Report Here

    Yo Dennis,

    What you don’t realize is the net is once again the wild wild west. I have been working (or playing rather) on the web full-time (ok, working an hour or 2 a day) for 7 years.

    The new web, Web2.0, has made it easier than ever before to get laser targeted traffic.

    The key to the success of every guru out there can be 100% attributed to a burning desire to succeed and a critical element to success is a positive attitude.

    Dennis, I am afraid that you will NEVER make it as an entrepreneur with your current attitude. I am not saying this to be mean, it’s simply the truth of the matter.

    I have had folks like you in my training club (www.flyonthewallclub.com) and had to fire them as clients due to the negative energy.

    Get your attitude set in a positive tone and be prepared to work your butt off initially while you learn things and then get your OWN systems and processes in place to achieve what the guru’s have achieved.

  • http://www.echo-reef.com Chris Thomas

    Dennis, Dennis, Dennis!

    I guess that you’re having a pretty lousy time of late and it appears it all came out on your post. I understand where you’re coming from but you have to realize that when you point the finger at someone there are 3 pointing back at you.

    I’m glad that you have taken action and tried to create a niche for yourself but whatever you are doing isn’t the right course of action to reach that marketplace or your message isn’t compelling enough to convert the sales. Either way, it simply might be that the niche isn’t big enough or wide enough to capitalize on.

    I have monitored the ‘Internet Marketing Guru’ industry for many, many years and there are very good ones and there are very bad ones. I have to say I believe Rich and his team to be one one the very good ones. Have I bought any of his products? NO! Why? because the systems I use I developed myself and they work for me. In fact, I do use a system developed by another marketing specialist.

    You can learn about how to create a system but a system can’t be bought, it has to be created by the owner of a business owner (the one person who knows the business better than anyone else) and in your case it should be to drive targetted traffic to your site, simplify the process of doing business with you and convert visitors/subscribers into paying customers.

    The applications that Guru’s like Rich sell are ‘solutions to problems’ that can be used in a business to overcome an gap.

    Now, it would be easy to go on to Dennis about his attitude but its just sums up his feelings at this time – frustration – and we’ve all been there including you Rich!

    CHALLENGE TO RICH
    Bad publicity travels 19 times quicker than good publicity – FACT. So here’s a challenge for you Rich.

    Take Dennis under your wing for 28 days, look at his business, plug in any of your knowledge, applications and support and show Dennis that any business can make money online. At the end of the 28 days, Dennis donates all the money generated to a charity.

    What a great case study for you Rich which will enhance your business reputation and at the same time prove to people like Dennis that a small business can make money on the Internet and of course you will leave Dennis with a business that is generating money.

    Finally, Dennis you then come back and give a video testimonial to Rich saying that you were wrong!

    If you take up the challenge, I’ll throw a day or two in free of charge to help as well!

    Surely Rich, you will take up this challenge won’t you?, of course you won’t, but then again maybe you will ………….

    Chris

  • http://www.nicholasgrobler.com Nicholas Grobler

    Ola Mister Rich!

    In a previous post exchange you asked me to trust you… This is getting just a little bit hard when you make statements like:

    “None of this is happening because I’m somehow better, or smarter, or better connected than you are.”

    This is obviously not true. I write this post because it really gets under my skin when well connected experts starts talking about a product as if the product will do everything for you. It won’t, focused work and a strong, applicable network will and the product might help.

    I have absolutely no doubt that the product you are gearing up to sell will be excellent stuff, just please sell it from “truth”… You are better at what you do than most, you are smarter than many in the online marketing field, and you most definitely are better connected, just look at your personal success history! You seem to be quite the formidable human! Rather state the facts, as you did in the start of Attention 2, you made it very clear that you achieved much in your life and use these achievements to grow a very successful business.

    It is just that I work with people on the ground, in the townships of South Africa and there where they are, there just aint no ladders. People like you probably grew up in a very privileged house, where you possibly started your entrepreneurial journey from a very young age. This is something amazing, something to be proud of, rather state the fact, please do not try to make it sound “tacky”, as if anybody can achieve what you achieved “if they just buy your product” because this just aint true.

    Thanks for awesome insights and looking forward to learning more.

  • http://www.nicholasgrobler.com Nicholas Grobler

    One more thing…

    To Dennis and like minded individuals…

    Pull out the stick and get on the bike! I have bought many products that sold themselves as “The Answer” and if they were able to sell themselves thus, then GOOD FOR THEM! I paid, they were happy and most of them were indeed good quality products. Here’s an insight…

    Just about ANY online marketing product from a proven expert will get your online business going.

    Personally I think the biggest issue here is, we do not know what we want to sell. Before you buy any marketing or business building product, first identify what you want to sell. This has been my problem. I bought the products, learned from them, want to apply them, but to what… I do not have a specific product yet…

    Affiliate marketing seems like a good alternative, and for some it is, but you still need to know what your passionate about, because you will still need to apply the Maven concept, even to affiliate marketing.

    Another big “WHAM” that happened for me, is something I call “Truth Marketing” – social networking, sites like DIGG etc… is making this kind of marketing more and more a reality. Basically, if what you sell, and how you sell is lower grade, you will get fingered fast! Rich shared this in the Attention 2. Get a quality product out there that add real and solid value, or help another person sell his or her such product and you will find success sometime.

    On a more personal note…keep it planned, keep it steady and give yourself a break. The online world can swallow you in a flash…and remember, you WILL fail before you hit success, this is just how it is…and get a mentor.

    To truth!

    Nicholas

  • http://www.christmasvideofromsanta.com Martin Luxton

    Dennis

    You are very lucky and extremely unlucky.

    You are very lucky because, from what I can gather, you are in the USA. I am based in Turkey where

    * Computers cost twice what they do in the States
    * Connection speeds are awful and you pay through the nose for
    bandwidth.
    * I can’t sign up for Clickbank and Paypal has only just allowed
    us to download money to our credit card.
    * There are no internet marketing seminars

    Am I complaining? Heck, no!
    I just have to keep looking for workarounds and when I make money I will have a ready-made product for the billions of people who are in non-Clickbank/Paypal countries.

    Why are you unlucky? Because you have everything you need available but your mindset will doom you to failure.

    Danny Arrington,

    Thanks for adding my video to the top 25. As you speculated, Santa will be launching http://www.ChristmasVideoFromSanta.com later today.

    Martin

  • http://www.RandolfSmith.com Randy Smith

    Crikey – haven’t you caused a stir Rich!

    Dennis is obviously frustrated, and to be fair many of us are.

    But then – one must ask the question, When was the world ever a level playing field?

    Personally I have products that I think many more people should see…. but I don’t have the JV partners with the mnassive lists promoting them.
    (And I’m sure there are others in a similar position!)

    Does that stop me from making a few dollars – NO
    I ‘work’ offfline for 11 hours a week and the balance of my bills are paid from my online income!

    It took WORK and Persistence to get to this stage, and it would have been easy and a lot quicker if I’d had someone like Rich just send out a few emails for me….

    But – does that give me the right to complain that some ‘Gurus’ have an advantage because they’ve been around longer and had it easy….

    Heck No !
    I’ve actually been around a lot longer than the likes of Mike Filsaime!…. I just didn’t have my act together..
    (sorry to single out Mike there – there are plenty more names that could be added – but the point is that many of todays Big Names – haven’t actually been around for that long by comparrrison)

    Plus – others whom I know have been around have not had the benefit of being there from the start – as many of them have had to start from scratch with the ever changing ways of the internet… I’ve seen people diappear and then come back with a totally reshaped and new model – to once again rise to the top.

    SO should all these people lend themselve to helping the less fortunate?….
    Absolutley!

    BUT – as there will probably be so many people demanding the help – would one suggest a raffle or lottery to qualify … as no-one could seriously expect the like of Rich to give his time for the next 20 years to allow each and everyone who begs, a full days use of his resources with no food to put on his familys table…..

    So assuming he would still need to make a living himself – just helping one at a time would linit how many he could – and then we would surely be repeating this conversation at some point in the future – complaining that we didn’t get a ticket in the draw!!

    The other alternative would be to keep following your own dreams – The learn and be inspired by seeing the guys who are doing well ‘do their thing’.
    Take what you can from it – even without neccessarily buying all the products…. and strive to acheive just as they have done.

    So stop focusing on all the reasons why you can’t make it Dennis – and try finding reasons you can…

    There are many people in worse situations, in all areas of life… some stay there and spend their lives complaining about it..
    Others know the odds are against them – but choose to ignore the facts – and strive for their goals… and hey – how many times do we see the movies or read the books of their stories of success against the odds?

    Personally – I’m too old to understand technology, I haven’t a clue what some people are talking about when they try to teach me things – especially about web 2 and 3 and all that…
    Hey – I struggle to work an iPod!

    But somehow I find a way – and somehow I’ve ended up with some websites…

    I’ve even gone from a 6 figure (UK) salary down to bankrupt and small 4 figures to live on..

    And yet – now I pay all my bills from the net and love my life.
    Things get better every week – business is growing and ,money comes in….
    Hey – Don’t even ask me from where – tracking is another thing I haven’t got around to yet!

    But I did find something I’m passionate about and found ways of monetizing it.
    And I found people who do help – some directly, other without them even knowing they are … in fact people like Rich don’t even know my name… and it could be he may never know who I am.

    So What – others do… and it’s a big big world !

    So come on Dennis – give yourself a chance…
    Remember – If you FOCUS on the wall – that’s what your car will hit!..
    So when you’re skidding around lifes bends and corners …
    FOCUS on where you want to be…. not what challenges might come up to take you off the road!

    Shutting up now…. this is worse than one of my Rambles (only my list are used to those…lol)

    Warm Regards
    Randy
    http://www.RandolfSmith.com
    P.S. Flippin well done to anyone who read all this…. lol

  • Michael

    The Attention Age Doctrine is great for people who want to begin marketing ideas online. What would be truly revolutionary, and maybe a next step for Rich, would be to apply this concept to professional services (finance, insurance, etc.)

    Many of these products are seen as commodities and since the service differential is not perceived by customers until they change agents or brokers, many of these products are sold just on price.

    However, the Attention Age Doctrine applies to prospecting all the same. Sending direct mail or creating a website for your firm is great, but chances are it will probably not be read or visited by most prospects.

    So it seems to me – the next (and maybe most profitable step) of applying these very same principles, would be to figure out how to apply them to financial/insurance services and market it to the brokers/agents themselves.

  • http://www.jointventurelightning.com Brian Duvall

    Hi, Rich and Dennis.

    The secret to ALL success is simply taking action NOW.

    Dennis, I know how you feel. I am also frustrated by the endless availability of internet marketing how-to content and secrets. I don’t have enough money to get all the educational materials and programs that I want but I know a enough to take action NOW.

    You probably know enough to do something NOW. So do it and stop whining. People are naturally attracted to winners… people who exude confidence. Whining is self-pity. Begging doesn’t work because it perpetuates a sense of lack.

    You asked why doesn’t somebody with the BALLS do something to bring the internet marketing community together to exchange ideas, knowledge, experience, technology, etc. so that all can benefit.

    Well they have…

    It’s called http://www.jointventurelight.ning.com

    I just set-up this internet marketing related social network site about two week ago. I’ve only just started adding content and photos, videos, etc. of projects that I am currently working on.

    I invite everyone else to join in the conversation and share.

    Am I Guru or Maven? Perhaps not to you or others on this forum but to my clients I am. Do I know everything about what I am doing? Not always… but I’m not letting that stop me. I took action in October. Now I have clients who love me and we’re doing joint venture projects in Health and Wellness niches, Horse Training niches, Romance Novel niches, Bluegrass Music niches, and more. I have more business than I can handle.

    Opportunity is LIMITLESS if you have the right mindset and open your eyes to it. Prove it to yourself and take action NOW.

    Carpe deum,
    Brian Duvall

  • http://www.nicholasmancini.ws/Forum.html Nicholas Mancini

    Dennis, Roy and all the others “singing the same song”

    I have been posting in forums and blogs similar comments and mostly got labeled as “negative”.

    Gurus would like to have us believe that “negative” comments are not healthy and we should just stay positive and keep buying their rehearsed and repackaged courses.

    The revolution started already thanks to a few remaining credible and true Entrepreneurs like Jonathan Leger and Alok Jain who have come up with a script to do away with the old practice of Gurus having to pay the affiliates only one time commission for a sale while they keep building their lists exploiting the work of affiliates.

    The script will now pay the affiliate for one time referral as many times as that particular referred customer buys. (Can be set for 1 year or more or even life time) Now that my friend is partnership not screwing the affiliate.
    Anyways there is much to be said, so I created this Forum for to spread the word about similar ides and have a group of Entrepreneurs JV with each other not screw each other.
    http://www.nicholasmancini.ws/Forum.html

    Rich does provide value to his subscribers/customers and that shows genuine willingness to share after all no one expects to get everything for free. Personally I am up to $ 11,000 in purchases this year alone and there are still a few good days to shop. How much of that is gold and how much is Crapolla? You guys all know the answer.

    Happy Holidays!

  • http://www.kevinhdavis.com Kevin Davis

    Dennis,

    I have to agree with Rich, what is holding you back is yourself.

    Thanks to free web 2.0 sites, it is easier today to get started online than it has ever been. From what you describe your idea is on par with the next eBay, Amazon or Google. Maybe your setting your initial goals too high.

    Rich got to where he is today by building relationships. A gradual ascension through the ranks of marketers based on his past performance in other markets. I believe early on he did “donate his time”, he just donated it to the right people, those that were already established in the market he was targeting next.

    Dennis, the reality is, your “special” just like everyone else. What makes you think anyone should invest their time and resources in you, if you do not first believe in yourself. There is no way you can expect a “guru”, to work with you simply based on the premise you have a great idea. Millions of people have great ideas, all around the world.

    It is those people who actually start to take action, and not wait for the “next opportunity” to be laying at their feet before taking action and setting the process in motion.

    If you want someone to help you jumpstart your ideas, start taking some action and at least show some progress. Actually meet the person, that’s a novel idea. Have you ever met Rich?

    Too many people, put the “gurus” on this unapproachable pedestal, when in reality they are just like you and me. Attend an event, yes it may cost you money, but there are plenty that are not that expensive. Before you approach them with your idea, at least take some steps to show your taking action.

    1) Register the domain your going to use
    2) Have an autoresponder to collect names
    3) Put a squeeze page on the domain, preferably giving something away.
    4) Drive traffic to the site through social media
    5) Prepare a marketing plan, budget and presentation to give potential partners an idea of your vision.

    If you have completed the 5 steps above, your now in a much better position to approach partners that may be interested in getting involved with you as a partner instead of client.

    I always laugh when someone mentions “get rich schemes”. Would you rather get rich slow?

    The information Rich has provided, both through his free reports, and coaching is based on the vast knowledge he has gained by reading multiple books a week (Thanks to ADD). He has been able to retain that, and then repurchase the knowledge he has gained into a product and coaching program that has taken the industry by storm. While I was a coaching client before, I am no longer a coaching client because or business was not ready at the time.

    Based on the information Rich has provided, along with Mike Filsaime, and Russell Brunson, we have restructured our business and are now in a very good position for 2008. I am sure we will consider his coaching again in the future, since we are seeing results by applying what we have learned from him so far.

    My advice:

    1) Take a deep breath

    2) Define what your business is

    3) Define who your business will help/impact

    4) Assess what tools you already have in your war chest that will help you build your business.

    5) Identify the leaks, the tools and training your investing in that does not have a direct impact on your core business, and eliminate them

    6) Identify people you know that would make up your dream team and fill in the gaps you’re missing. If you don’t know anyone, at least describe the need for the position.

    7) Begin to Implement

    8) Network – Forums, Blogs, Events, Social Media (Keep the message positive, in order to not alienate the people you’re asking for help)

    It doesn’t have to be hard, simply open your mind to the possibility and envision your path.

    Sincerely,
    Kevin H Davis
    http://GurusForHire.com

  • Pingback: Kevin H Davis - Speaker, Mentor, Internet Marketing Guru » Are All Internet Marketing Gurus Lucky?

  • Scott Myers

    Hey Rich

    I think I’m going to have to agree with the Dennis on this one. I can’t believe you would be so selfish to not give all your time, money, knowledge, and resources to aid in the success of EVERY unsuccessful marketer out there in the world today.

    You easily have the influence to bring together all the big name “rip-off artists” – ahem… Gurus, to also donate every last ounce of their expertise for FREE. You could have a conference in let’s say… the Bahamas, and cough up the entire airfare for everyone who hasn’t yet turned a profit online due to *your* inability to give away your innermost marketing secrets. You even could call it “Newbie-Aid”.

    Don’t get me wrong, you’re not the only one I have a major problem with in how you do business. The other day I was in a local retail outlet and they had the audacity to stop me at the doors as I was leaving. They told me that if I didn’t turn around and PAY for my cartload of merchandise, they would call the authorities. I can’t begin to tell you how furious I became.

    I told them it wasn’t MY fault that I didn’t have an HDTV and Hi-Def DVD player at home, and that these toys for my kids weren’t going to just *magically* appear in their rooms. Those selfish a**holes have more than enough money, they should just give away everything to everybody who walks through their doors. Now that would be fair.

    Oh, and Rich, for you to imply that those of us who aren’t successful are lazy and expect everything to be done for us… I’ll let you know this: *I* was the one who told my wife to turn this computer on – and *I* was the one who told her to sit down, read your blog to me, and type everything I’m saying right now! Yeah… it was all ME! For you to say those things is extremely uncalled for!

    So I say to all my struggling brothers and sisters out there… let us come together and start “demanding” these gurus start giving us their most prized marketing secrets for FREE so that we can start charging people!

  • http://www.sonicwaveaudio.com Alex T.

    Hey Rich,

    Maybe Dennis is really some outsourced freelance writer hired by your former tire dealer to try to tread on your nerves!

    The very fact that you didn’t remove his post from your blog but chose instead to spotlight that kind of seductive but useless thinking to help others identify and avoid playing in the same sand trap speaks volumes about your character and the strength of your ideas.

    What’s keeping me from being the maven in my market? I’ve been busy “collecting” knowledge instead of applying it. A delusional diversion, until you see the interaction you’ve gotten during this launch.

    I think I’ll write a journal entry for myself about your launch and title it Shock and Awe! Has a ring to it aye??

  • Dennis Toys

    Hey Rich,

    It’s great of you to ask Dennis Tays to read Atlas Shrugged!
    But maybe Dennis just wants some specific charity… at this impoverished stage in his life.

    After all, gurus seem to like the idea of “giving back to society”, perhaps he is jumping at it with more vigor than he could control, coming across like “demanding” for the unearned.

    Take it easy. Such types are perhaps the silent majority of the market,… perhaps, I said. So, any charitable help could go a long way to influence extra mileage from your own business, who knows? :-)

    Just a hunch, because when I see your free blog attracts more attention and interaction than your own members’ forum in the Business Growth System (which is a ghost town, as one put it)… I see your “free” strategy as apparently more effective and influential than your “paid” resources, which your own members are not even using.

    What say you to this observation?

    And the fact that a negative post could draw out so much “repressed energy” from other folks, like-minded or not, is lending strength that much opposing forces lie underneath what apparent calmness is on the surface.

    And also your petition for putting an end to the guru’s way of deceptive marketing, that it could bring out close to one thousand agreements, does speak volume to the intensity of discontent as well.

    People are sick of shelling out their money for nothing, for a bunch of wallet-emptying lickalicious promises.

    So, if there’s already a general prevalent sentiment of discontent, which you already recognised, … why not look further into this issue?

    Perhaps the Dennis-types may or may not want just a free handout. Or just a fish, to put it another way. But how to be self-sustaining. How to catch a fish for himself. How to be “just successful enough” to pay his own way in life.

    To pay his own bills and not sink further into debts.

    However, when your high-priced coaching materials (which are always manufactured to be perceived as supremely desirable) come out of the woodworks, they make your “as-yet-to-be-successful-prospects’” minds reel with deprivation, seeing how their pockets or wallets will be shrunk further, with no guarantee that this investment will be successful, should he go forward with it.

    To go ahead with it would seem like a big gamble. He cannot afford to waste his time, even if the money can be refunded. Can he really launch himself into success, finally, with this superb coaching? With no personal track record of any success this far? How likely is success going to happen, with just this one last time investment of his money, time, and effort?

    With the millions in this category of “unsuccessful types” coming on board the Internet, how might you want to, or be able to, help them get a foothold, in launching their life-sustaining entrepreneurial careers?

    We are not referring to those capable types of people who already found success, and needed a little further boost, to take their successful careers up another level.

    It’s about the people who haven’t made it yet online. The majority I guess. How to get them start earning, in a sustenable way.

    That, would be a truly supremely awesome gift… Whether it comes as free, or with some costs affordable to them. But most importantly, not to suck the life-savings out of them.

    At least, tell them explicitly, put out a big notice, saying your course is NOT FOR THOSE who are NOT currently running or owning any business.

    NOT FOR THOSE who haven’t got any successful experience in running an online business yet.

    Then there is less deception, as though it’s meant for everybody out there.

    But then this would shrink your market size down a fair chunk won’t it. So, you’re in a bit of a dilemma here: To reach for only the successful types, or to include the “newbies” as well.

    These are “noobies” generally not for their lack of information, or unuseable knowledge, but for their lack of experience in “success”. They are “new”, in the realm of online money-making success.

    If all the gurus are interested in helping this large segmented group of “unsatisfied” market, what definitive solution is coming out?

    Or are the gurus more interested in training this “unsuccessful noobie group” to be their own school of fish, for fattening up their own wallets? Keeping them swimming in circles forever.

    A ghastly act indeed.

    Rich, if I can put in a suggestion, just one, why not come out with a certified board of trainer coaches, who can take your teachings and impart them successfully to ever widening circles of their own influence or markets? It’s not unlike an educational system, where teachers are centrally trained and then spread out all over the map, governed by an organized bureaucracy, oops, more likely by organized business dynamics.

    Of course it’s not going to neglect the slow learners, mentally crippled, handicapped minded individuals. They are as deserving as those physically handicapped who are thankfully getting much available help, offline.

    The hidden class of unhelpables are perhaps these learning-disabled people, who may not even be aware they have these disabilities, for their slow in-take in learning, and in integrating new stuff into their career repertoire.

    Or else what explains why the educational system always produce a class of cream that leave the rests in the dust? Is that the main intention? To create a lot of less successful individuals, to be the minions of the haughty cream of the crop, later in life?

    Now this is not to attack the cream of the crop. They are as deserving as any lesser individuals, maybe more deserving so, because of their sublime qualities.
    At least they can look after themselves, and society largely looks up to them.

    However, the issue here is, what about the large group of undernoticed, unattended to, so-called drop-outs in school, in corporate life, in online business?

    At least in the business realm, the second tiers can still do business and survive. But will these individuals be able to run a one-man operation and survive?

    Rich, will your teachings reach them, and make them whole? Contributing to the betterment of mankind, in one big solid barrier-breaking punch?

    Thats asking a lot, maybe. But I suspect there’s a very familiar correlation between online business failures and school failures. There could be a strong overlap here.
    This could be the main clue, if you want to look at the root of the issue.

    Maybe having a “business system”, as important as it is, might not even be able to help them. It goes deeper. If you were to research this out later, I would have done my part in pointing it out to you. You have the resources to tackle it. You have the petition to support you. And the idealism of an Atlas Not Shrugging.

  • http://www.silentavatar.com MG Page

    Absolutely agree. Maybe people just like you and me can get together and I’m sure between us all we will have just as good a chance as the big guys.

    Yes.. they did get in when the going was very good. Yes.. it’s a lot harder now they have a foothold on the market,and email lists to die for.

    But is it impossible to join them?

    I don’t think so. It just requires thinking outside the square, and if that means people who we have never met contributuing their skills for the benefit of the whole, then I say go for it. I’m sure there’s those who are reading this blog right now who have all the skills you need to launch a product and make it really succesful. We all know HOW to do it, it’s just a matter of a lot of us just don’t have the reasources available to us like the bug guns have.

    Impossible No.

  • http://www.silentavatar.com MG Page

    Absolutely agree. Maybe people just like you and me can get together and I’m sure between us all we will have just as good a chance as the big guys.

    Yes.. they did get in when the going was very good. Yes.. it’s a lot harder now they have a foothold on the market,and email lists to die for.

    But is it impossible to join them?

    I don’t think so. It just requires thinking outside the square, and if that means people who we have never met contributuing their skills for the benefit of the whole, then I say go for it. I’m sure there’s those who are reading this blog right now who have all the skills you need to launch a product and make it really succesful. We all know HOW to do it, it’s just a matter of a lot of us just don’t have the reasources available to us like the big guns have.

    Impossible No.

  • http://www.ultrabraintraining.com Chris

    Glad to see someone with a sensible comment to make :)

  • http://www.prison-ministries.info Tim Caron

    I’m not a marketing guru, but I can say this, I have gone the route you have mentioned and also have come up empty handed. But I believe that it is the lack of knowledge that I possessed at the time before I first started reading about Rich.

    I have read the Manifesto, and the Doctrine 2 and I must say that it has opened my eyes to many things. Once I had no clue, now at least, I am armed with more knowledge to make better informed decissions. So all is not losted.

    Though I am a bit apprehensive about trying any of the information I have read, I feel it’s only because of the “niche” so to speak, that I have been called to follow.

    A few years back I ended up in a 4 x 6 prison cell, with no place to go but within. And in my search God struck me down and gave me only one choice. Get Up!! and Follow Me!!.

    Now I find myself here, in my first post to this blog, learning how to successfully run a future sucessful ministry, so I in turn can provide a better future for those in need.

    I have learned so far, just by reading the many comments on this particular section of Rich’s Blog, that there are truly many like-minded people willing to step out in faith to help you and many others. Call it destiny, Cal it Fate, call it what you will, but I feel if you stay around long enough your hard shell will finally be craked and you will see the light that is being guided before us.

    May the Lord Richly Bless you and in every endeavor you partake of that will glorify His Kingdom.
    Tim

  • Viper

    Dennis,

    Grow up. You hold yourself back….I’m 27 and have a successful marketing company and real estate brokerage plus I just got accepted to Med school……..

    Don’t blame other people for your inability to create success in your industry! Guru’s provide tools you provide execution…..or in your case “NOT”!

    Viper

  • http://www.jkleppin.com CCGAL

    PT Barnum never said “there’s a sucker born every minute” … if you’re going to quote someone, for goodness sake, please quote him or her correctly. (check out what Wikipedia has to say about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There's_a_sucker_born_every_minute)

    If you had left an url or an e-mail, I think you would have received genuine offers of assistance.

  • John Clark

    Some excellent points, actually.

    And yet, each of us has to play the cards we are dealt.

    No doubt that some people win the lottery the day they are born, whether that is in money, brains, good looks, height, or whatever else amounts to an edge. Others seem to have just gotten to the right place at the right time.

    Taking from the financial world of trading, the challenge is to find YOUR edge. It’s very tempting to say “if I only was on the trading floor”, “if I only had more money in my account”, etc. But name any situation and someone has figured out what they have that the other guy doesn’t, be it the ability to trade low volume issues that the big guys can’t or using systems that take a kind of analysis that the guys in the chaos of the floor don’t have time to do, or . . . .

    If indeed you do have a great idea, then judging from my own knack for setting up roadblocks for myself and then explaining them with reasons that even I, (especially I?) , can’t see through, my guess is that a course in the secrets of getting your head and heart aligned with your purpose and then sticking with it would be better than one on internet marketing.

    If you know of such a course, let me know. I’ll take it too.

  • http://www.internetsuccessjournal.com Albert Lee

    A classroom of 40 students studying the same subject of Mathematics, taught by the same teacher.

    At the end of the year, out of the 40 students, some pass the exam with flying colors, most having average grades, while some failed.

    This same scenario keep repeating itself, year after year.

    For those who failed, was the teacher lousy? Were the teaching materials bad? Was the classroom environment not conducive? Was the subject too difficult? In actual facts, these are the reasons always given by these students every time. They blame everything else except themselves for the failure.

    When you asked those students who passed with flying colors their secrets to success, the different is, they took 100% responsibility to their success. If the teacher did not teach well, they took extra time to consult other teachers. If the teaching materials were lousy, they went to library to get their own study materials. If the classroom environment was not conducive, they make sure they concentrate hard in class. If the subject too difficult, they spent more time to make sure they understand.

    Same teacher, same subject, same classroom, same materials, different results.

    The only different is, the students. Those who blames others, and those who blame themselves.

    Food for thoughts..

    Albert Lee

  • RT

    Nice post Rich, you accomplished more buzz. Did you pay the staffer extra, or have them sign a confidentiality agreement to never divulge they wrote Dennis’ post?

  • Dennis Tays

    I can see that several people who have posted comments here are of the mistaken belief that I’m asking for handouts. The truth is, no one has all of the talents and abilities that it takes to create, develop, and grow a successful Internet business.

    Some people are good at research, some writing, some web-page development, some SEO, some marketing, etc, but no one is an expert in all of these areas, and today you have to be an expert in all of these areas to make it.

    Sure, you can take the time, energy, effort and money to attempt to learn all of these things and apply them. But, in todays world, as fast as you learn one thing and attempt to apply it, then move onto the next aspect, eveything has changed and you have to start all over again.

    Even if this weren’t true, why would you attempt to spend a great deal of time, energy, effort and money learning and attempting to do things that you don’t have the skills and talents to perform at the level that these things need to be preformed at to be successful?

    In other words, doesn’t it make more sense to partner up with people who possess the skills and talents that you don’t possess? And it’s not just the talents one possess, but it’s also the particular station in life that someone else is at, that you are not at, that will take you years too get to. Does it make more sense to attempt to spend time and money building certain things when someone you could partner with already has those things developed and running? And again, people misunderstand this as well, as I never suggested that I, nor anyone else, would be just taking without contributing something in return.

    Sure people can be selfish and self-centered and say, “I created mine, and I don’t give a damn about you, go out and create your own.” Aren’t they cutting their noses off to spite their own faces? Look at projects like traveling to Mars, the US knows that the best way to do this is via cooperation, not telling smaller, “less developed” countries they aren’t invited to participate and benefit in what we already have.

    All I’m trying to say is, that in today’s world, it takes cooperation to be really successful, especially if you want to do it quicker, more efficiently, and more effectively. So why wouldn’t the gurus want to work with “less developed” individuals to make newer, bigger, and more meaningful projects a reality? The only reason is, they can’t see beyond the end of their noses. They only want to cooperate with their guru buddies. Why is that?

    It just blows my mind that people can’t see this, aren’t concerned, and don’t expect more for their hard earned money. As long as the peddlers drop some crumbs the buying public is happy, even though those crumbs cost them dearly, and accomplish little in return.

    So again, no one is asking for something for nothing. I’m asking why no guru, especially the guy who claims he’s the guru to the gurus, isn’t doing more to really work with their customers and help them to be successful in the areas where they could really be of help, not just peddling products and giving out crumbs of free information with no meaningful feeling behind it other than to sell you something?

    Is everyone that brain dead that they feel that these gurus are really doing all that they could be doing for their customers? What if you bought knocked down furniture and it came with some of the parts missing, incomplete directions on how to put it together, no customer service help etc. Would you feel like you got your money’s worth?

    Some of the people who commented got it when they said that they knew that none of the gurus would see the benefit in working with their clients, and therefore, we should cooperate with one another and beat them at their own game.

  • http://salesleadsecrets.com Chris Bloor

    Wow! you seriously think it was easier years ago? No way!

    I have been full-time online for 8 years this January and I think it is about 1,000 times easier to make it these days than it was 8 years ago.

    What you need to do is take responsibility for your life! “The power of an idea is in it’s implementation!”

    Quit coming up with excuses and focus on ‘doing’ something to market your business every day.

  • http://www.winecellarweddings.com Reed from Wine Cellar Weddings

    What a great program. I can’t believe the amount ot great content that is included in the program.

  • http://businesscoaching.typepad.com Paul Simister

    Can I just say the prediction was wrong.

  • http://www.shopricom.com ricom

    A brilliant platform !

  • aster

    Awesome platform