"Mastermind Groups" and such....

by DaniMc

Posted: 16 years ago 24 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

I have been involved in quite a few networking groups offline.

The basic idea was that local business members in a specific area would come together and network.

We published a directory with each business in it. Instead of reaching for your Yellow Pages, you'd grab the directory. This usually included special rates and discounts.

We also alloted time at our weekly meeting (at the country club) for two members to take a few minutes and talk about their business and sell themselves to the group.

All of the groups I have been involved in have been well worth the annual dues. If I were working offline, I would join every group I could find.

Now and then I hear the talk of having a "Mastermind Group" and I have to wonder....who are these people?

If I am selling a product on weight loss, I don't want to tell my plans and processes to other marketers in the weight loss niche...they are my competitors.

I also am not interested in networking with someone selling tools...we have little in common.

As a point of discussion, how do you find and form a group like this?

What is it's value?

What type of people would be involved in this group?

What type of value would the mutual members of the group offer each other?

Why would someone who is making it online, partner up with someone who is not? Would that not be a waste of time since 99% of unproven marketers either give up or just talk a good game?

You see it on this forum all the time...you reveal what you want to do or are doing and suddenly you have 1,000 competitors. Seems better to play your cards close to the chest doesn't it?

So...what type of groups are YOU involved in and how did you form them? Are they worth your effort?

Is it just a bunch of people patting each other on the back or is there REAL work getting done?

Sincerely,
Cynical Marketer

#mastermind groups

Frank Bruno

16 years ago

Typcially mastermind groups should be held between familar friends & associates who can compliment each others services in some way at some point in time without being direct competitors.

You can get to know some intimacies of each others businesses to help each other out and learn in the process.

You only reveal what your comfortable with.

You can draft up have NDA agreements although they are difficult to uphold in court.

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DaniMc

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Frank Bruno

Thanks Frank.

Are you involved in any mastermind groups?

If so, how did you put them together? Where did you meet your associates?

Thanks,
Daniel

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ctutt

16 years ago

Thanks for your post Daniel.

Frank had a very good reply.

I would add that if you want to learn more about Master Minding, read the now old classic book, Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill.

Best to You,
Charles Tutt

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DaniMc

16 years ago

Originally Posted by ctutt

Thanks Charles.

I've read it four times already.

It was one of the first success books I ever read.

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jhongren

16 years ago

I have 2 of my own mastermind groups only having formed it after 1 year of knowing one another as friends.

Basically there must be a lot of trust and sparks among the group.

Everyone gives their 2000% for the benefit of the whole group and we all win along the way.

And everyone has different strengths.

For example, I am into networking and JVs while my friends are supporting the technical and another doing product creation and we work together as One United Force!

Cheers,
John

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DaniMc

16 years ago

Originally Posted by jhongren

Thanks John,

Are these people you know online or offline?

If offline, I am curious, how did you happen to meet other IM'ers?

I have never even met one other person who has any idea what IM is.

Daniel

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jhongren

16 years ago

Hi Daniel,

Personally I met them online and then we met offline in local events in Singapore.

I think it takes bond to form and we are able to click well and hang out very ofte (perhaps having the same interest in IM)

Personally I will form mastermind group with people I meet offline.

PLF 2.0 offers a bonus to help you form your mastermind group.

My group is only interested to promote their products to fellow members. When asked to skype one another at a fixed time, no one bothers much and so it failed.

The group barely lst for 2 weeks.

John

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DaniMc

16 years ago

Thanks John.

Seems it would be very difficult to form a group with someone you meet online.

Personally, I am slow to make friends and if I haven't had a beer with someone I'd consider them an acquaintance.

You should feel lucky to have people you actually know and like who are into the same thing as you.

Daniel

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Andyhenry

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Daniel McCoy

Daniel - that post says everything about you have the belief you do about Masterminds.

I've met over 1000 IMers offline and many more online.

Some of them I consider great friends and I happily tell them anything about my business, including giving them passwords to my servers, sending them money - anything that helps us work better together.

I've formed mastermind groups offline and online.

Because I know so many people - it's EASY to form a group with people I trust and that can talk usefully about online business and becoming successful.

We have lunches in London fairly regularly that are open to anyone to come along and we spend all afternoon and into the evening having a drink and a chat about whatever we like. It's great for meeting new people and sharing what works.

I've done telephone/skype groups with both offline and online IMers.

I do a lot of IM projects with John Taylor (fellow warrior) and we've never met in person. I talk to John most days on the telephone or skype and happily tell him about anything.

If your mindset is focused on not wanting other people to get your secrets and you don't consider anyone a friend unless you've had a beer with them, and you've never met up with any IMers offline - it's hardly surprising that you perspective is warped and centred around you.

I must've met at least 50 Warriors in person and I've never been to any US Warrior events.

You're in the country with biggest number of IMers and most IM events in the world.

Maybe you should get out more and meet up with like-minded people, I think if you look you'll find they're everywhere.

Andy

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jhongren

16 years ago

It is good to meet people but it is also the most intimidating for most.

It is really hard to go and say "hi for a start but when you do the first, it is easier to do the next and the next.

Then, when you meet more people and you will know who are the ones you really wish to have in your group. Go talk to them and be sincere in learning.

You never know they will invite you to their groups, eventually...

Cheers,
John

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DaniMc

16 years ago

Originally Posted by jhongren

I am an extremely outgoing person...I can meet people anywhere.

I strike up conversations with just about anyone. Now, does that make them a friend? Not at all.

I have many, many acquaintances...only a handful of friends. Maybe we are just talking about a difference in semantics here but that is beside the point.

The point is (I think...it seems my point has shifted from the OP) how in the heck do you meet these people?

If you go to a meeting with me there...I am that guy in a group who is talking and introducing everyone. I move very well in a social setting.

The thing is...where the heck are all these IM'ers hanging out?

Daniel

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DaniMc

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

Thanks Andy.

I am a very gregarious person and network quite well.

I posted this thread here:

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...-warriors.html

And got exactly zero response.

How in the world have you met up with Warriors in person without going to an event?

I don't think there have been any events in Colorado...none that I have seen.

As I stated before, I have never even met one person who has any idea what IM is.

When you say you have met with all these people....now I am getting frustrated.

Daniel

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Chris Lockwood

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Daniel McCoy

I don't think there have been any events in Colorado...none that I have seen.

I'm pretty sure Denver is in Colorado, and I know there have been events there.

Is there some reason you can't leave Colorado to attend one of the many events in other states?

With the amazing new "airlines", you can get there in a few hours.

In fact, at many events in the US there will be people who came from the UK, Australia, Asia, just to attend that event... which is a lot farther than Colorado.

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DaniMc

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Chris Lockwood

Yes I think there was one in Denver summer of 2007.

If there have been any others I would love to see where they were announced or organized.

As it stands, I was in the Middle East last summer so I couldn't make it anyway.

As for these newfangled inventions called airplanes...they cost money. As do hotels, restaurants and rental cars. If you would like to ask Uncle Sam why he doesn't pay more and my ex-wife why she takes it all that would be great with me.

But, that is not what this post is even about.

The question is...where, when, how do you meet people who do IM? How do you meet enough of them to develop a group of serious, trustworthy, like minded individuals?

Are there IM networking groups somewhere that I don't know about? I highly value face to face relationships. I know this forum is great, but is THIS really the extent of IM networking?

Several have stated that they network offline as well...how?

There have been many, many posts on this forum that when you tell someone you do IM, they look at you like you are crazy. And I agree with that.

So then, that being the case...if you have an IM networking group or mastermind group...how did you find these people?

Daniel

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Chipt

16 years ago

Hey, Daniel -

One other thought I just had...

Perhaps check into the 'groups' section here on WF and either join one or start one of your own...

Just a thought -

Chip

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jhongren

16 years ago

they hang out in their own mastermind session, such as at home.

You can meet them at JValert, Internet Summit and so on.

Most of the times when the sales pitch you going on, you tend to see many JV partners networking outside the hall.

It is fun to go up and say "hi and intro yourself.

Cheers,
John

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Treece

16 years ago

I joined Mom Masterminds back in 2005 out of sheer curiousity. I knew there were a lot of other work-at-home moms out there, but many seemed to be wannabes rather than really doing it. I knew I wouldn't get any work out of the group, because my niche is so specialized. Still, I had an online business with my daughters and thought I might get some tips.

I didn't really plan to stay - I just wanted to know what I was missing. Fast forward three years and sales have increased by numbers that would shock you. The support of like-minded peers who will cheer you on and give you a kick in the rear when need-be is worth a small fortune. I appreciate being able to talk about business ideas, ups and downs without being in a public forum, where anyone can grab your ideas and run.

I love knowing that members have a true interest in helping and are not just offering advice so that the world will see a signature link and hope to receive a click or a sale in return. Friendships are formed, partnerships are made, referrals offered, critiques are honest...

We share two things - a passion for business and a passion for family. The rest is a big mixed bag.

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DaniMc

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Treece

I didn't really plan to stay - I just wanted to know what I was missing. Fast forward three years and sales have increased by numbers that would shock you. The support of like-minded peers who will cheer you on and give you a kick in the rear when need-be is worth a small fortune. I appreciate being able to talk about business ideas, ups and downs without being in a public forum, where anyone can grab your ideas and run.

I love knowing that members have a true interest in helping and are not just offering advice so that the world will see a signature link and hope to receive a click or a sale in return. Friendships are formed, partnerships are made, referrals offered, critiques are honest...

Treece, this is exactly the experience I have had with other networking groups in the past. I just had NO idea that people doing IM actually get together like this.

I know there MUST be some IM'ers around Denver that I could hook up with.

I think I will call the Chamber of Commerce and see if they know of any groups.

Daniel

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Corwinnx

16 years ago

Daniel,
I formed a mastermind group with a group of freinds. We all had different talents. I am a networker and a facilitator. Miranda is a great copywriter. Becky is graphic artist. And Mike is a programmer.

Even though we are a 'mastermind group,' we are also a networking group. I refer Becky out to other people for graphic arts design all the time. Becky refers Miranda out to write sales copy for people she knows, and so on...

If I am stuck on a sales letter issue, Miranda will not sit down and write it for me, but she'll sit with me and point out what needs to be changed.

If Becky needs to customize a script on her website, Mike will sit down with her and SHOW her how to do it.

Sometimes, if one of us is in a real time crunch, and we need something just -done- and don't have the time to wait to get together to learn, we'll give the other one our login ID's and passwords and just LET the other person get it done for us.

Being a team makes us STRONGER.

As far as how to form these groups, that's easily answered... send me a PM and I'll give you the book. I wrote it.

-Marcus

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DaniMc

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Corwinnx

Great post Marcus. Gives me some ideas.

I'm sending you a PM now.

I guess I was cynical at first just because I had never met up with serious business people from an IM community. I know the value of networking groups and would really like to form one.

Daniel

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Randy Miller 13 years ago

IM Dogs is forming a new MeetUp group in Denver.

The first meeting will be on Saturday March 26 from 10:00 to 11:30 A.M

The location for this meeting is at College America - 1385 South Colorado Boulevard, Suite #500 - Denver, CO 80222.

I've attended the IM Dogs MeetUp in Fort Collins and they have formed a mastermind group which meets after the IM Dogs meeting. That could be something worth exploring in Denver.

Here is the link for the MeetUp: IM Dogs Denver (Denver, CO) - Meetup

Hope to see you there.

Randy
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Chipt

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Daniel McCoy

Hey, Daniel -

I have an article about this specific topic on my WF blog here if you'd like to check it out...

All the best -

Chip Tarver

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DaniMc

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Chipt

Hey, Daniel -

I have an article about this specific topic on my WF blog here if you'd like to check it out...

All the best -

Chip Tarver

Thanks Chip.

I gave it a read. The points I got were:

1) You'd pray about it because you want believers in your group. Are there many IM'ers at your church?

2) You would not have an even number. Sounds more like a corporate board to me than a networking/mastermind group.

3) You would use SCORE. Yes they can be helpful. I found in the past working with them that they are retired for a reason and shouldn't be counted as an integral part of your team. Some of them are brilliant, indeed. But I have yet to meet one who wants to form a real partnership and be active in business. Much less IM.

Let me know if I have misunderstood your post.

Daniel

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Chipt

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Daniel McCoy

Hey, Daniel -

I typically never comment on this specific stuff here, but to answer your point 1... [a] yes and [b] don't know... I don't mix the two... [it's that whole "selling doves in the temple" thing.]

Point 2 -- I never like to use an even number because of the obvious situation of a tie or a stalemate. Part of good masterminds is making decisions and taking action based on the group's input, as you know.

SCORE is merely one resource that some folks can use to their advantage. I think too many people ignore the older folks because they think they're not 'hip enough.' I also think that can be a mistake...

That said, I don't disagree with your point 3 -- it was merely an option -- but the times are also changing and there can be more folks more interested in doing more things these days because they are living longer...

...and how much bridge and shuffleboard can one person play?

[that was a tease... my Dad is 79 and does neither... he plays golf and works in his woodshop, and is as smart as he ever was.]

Chip

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"Mastermind Groups" and such....

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