Do You Ever Feel Like The Smartest Person In The Room?

[Marc Rodill]

Or, alternatively, do you ever feel like the people around you are just plain stupid?

I don't really know why I'm posting this, maybe just to validate my thoughts, but sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who "gets" it, if y'know what I mean?

I know this isn't true, but it's HARD not to feel that way sometimes.

It's like, I'm getting into this marketing thing, and no matter how well you present yourself, your company, or your offer, you're going to get some people who think you're trying to pull one over on them, or something.

...

Case in point: So I'm getting into the weight loss market to help people and, y'know, like feed myself, or whatever. My family knows this, and my mom saw this infomercial for a "new" hypnosis weight loss program, Think and Lose. So she tells me to check it out.

(Which I happily do, because I just recently became aware of how my mom BUYS and BUYS tons of weight loss stuff that she just puts on the shelf to collect dust).

I go to the website, it's a free trial offer, you don't pay S&H, the testimonials are probably doctored, but that's not point. The first thing I think is, hey he's probably making a bundle.

The second thing I think is, hey, he's probably pissing off customers somehow because of this marketing tactic.


**Note: I've been having the feeling lately that having anything near a semi-successful business means that you are going to have unsavory customers.**


So, I Google the product name + scam, and sure enough, I find complaints about customers being charged when they "shouldn't have been" (when in reality they weren't paying attention to the up sell process).

Sure, it may be a hard up sell process, but is that the company's "fault" for trying to sell you? It's one thing if they aren't honoring refunds (BAD), but shouldn't they, like, maybe, read the offer first?

...

OK, back to the topic of stupid people.

I STILL work in a restaurant, and I LOVE my job (ha). But, the thing that always gets me is that at least twice a week, a customer comes up to me and asks me the fairly simple question of, "where's your water?"

This is AFTER they have stood around the "drink station" and AFTER they have used the "club soda" dispenser that's right under SPRITE. So, obviously, that's not water, it's carbonated water.

This upsets them when they taste it, so they ask me the question all in a huff like it's totally ruined their day, or something.

And here's why I always get a kick out of it: the water is right next to sprite, and it's literally the only label on the entire machine that's written in 72 point bold font, and clearly reads: "WATER"

So I'm just like, "oh yeah, hey, it's the one over there that says, y'know, water."

...

This is getting rather long, but it's stuff like this that gets me thinking. In the past, it would usually just cause me to ditch my project and try to hide "under the radar." But I've had enough of that. I need to learn to just deal with it.

But it reminds me of some of Kern's stories where when was younger, he had the mindset that people sucked, so he attracted people who suck.

While I agree with that a bit, there just seems to be a whole lot more of these lesser-cool people around. For example, I turn on my blinker today to get in the right lane, and the lady SPEEDS up so that she's right next to me, effectively forcing me to stay in the middle lane.

She looks over at me.

And, turns right about 2 seconds later.

And, I'm just thinking, what the ****, lady? Couldn't let me over to save yourself 5 seconds of your life? I forgot about that until right now, but yeah.

Guess I'm just displeased.


Marc

[FifthDimension5]

The basic rule is - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Its just one of the ways of doing business for many internet companies. Theres always a catch somewhere. Are they giving you a free bottle of medicine? then they are charging S&H and have a clause somewhere that says your card is going to be charged automatically if you dont cancel within 14 days or something like that. Got a $10 cashback offer when the item you purchased is worth $5? Then the $10 is when you join their 'exclusive shopping club' by paying $50. Got to pay attention to that. Nobody gives any money unless they have some way of knowing it is going to back to them somehow. Basic principle of trade and business. I pay for porn, file sharing download sites, seo backlinks, VPN, ISP, etc. with the hope that it enriches some people's wallets who in turn will spend them on other peoples services and eventually I may get returns on it somehow by people buying my services. If that circle stops somewhere in between then everything collapse. No money rotation. Thats too bad.

[The Expert]

I feel like I'm surrounded by dumb people whenever they talk about "getting a job". Or going to school to "get a better job".

It drives me nuts that people will get so excited about working for someone else so they can have the privilege of begging for a 5% raise each year all the while praying that their industry doesn't experience a melt-down that will have them booted on the street. Like GM did in the last 36 months.

I just shut my mouth though. I can tell that when I talk enthusiastically about what I do that they consider me to be a wild-eyed risk taker. A river boat gambler that will learn that the "little guy" never makes in in this world and that I should fall in step and stop making waves.

So again...I keep my peace.

[Jeremy Kelsall]

lmao

Marc....Your posts always crack me up dude!

I might have to search through your other posts tonight If I get done with something I'm working on!

Jeremy

[MarkH45]

The only time I feel like I'm the "smartest person in the room" is when I'm talking to small business owners about SEO or taking their local business online to expand their client base.

If you are still answering questions pertaining to soda fountains or asking questions like "would you like fries with that" it may be time to put that War Room membership to use...

[Marc Rodill]

Originally Posted by MarkH45

The only time I feel like I'm the "smartest person in the room" is when I'm talking to small business owners about SEO or taking their local business online to expand their client base.

If you are still answering questions pertaining to soda fountains or asking questions like "would you like fries with that" it may be time to put that War Room membership to use...

I couldn't have said so better myself.

I'm going to be getting in front of the camera pretty soon, to do squeeze pages and short sales presentations, build trust and stuff.

I feel like I'm just preparing myself for the powers of: my own customer complaints.


Marc

P.S. lol Jeremy, that's what I'm here for man, that's what I'm here for

[sevenish]

I've never felt like the smartest person in the room. I hope I never do.

[Marc Rodill]

Originally Posted by sevenish

I've never felt like the smartest person in the room. I hope I never do.

Yeah, I meant figureatively, or something. It's probably bad to really feel that way.

On a side note, how much do you love noodles?

YouTube - I Love Noodles

[kennethtang]

Marc,

Just because one deals with jerks doesn't mean one can't have some class, eh? Hard to do I know, but still practicable. However, having said that, being human, one is allowed to be pi$$ed off. Still, being pi$$ed doesn't mean one can't still show some class.

Hehehe...

[JeffMitchell]

It is funny because I have talked about this topic in many different forums in the past. I try and sit in on at least 1-2 webinars week just so that I am gaining that little piece of knowledge that I did not have before.

When the webinars are towards the end...they always have the Q & A session where all the poeple who should not have even been on the webinar are asking the most (excuse the rudeness) retarded questions.


They make me feel like the "GURU" of the internet marketing world, like I should be the one who is giving the webinar.

You have to take the negative vibes as a part of the industry. It is like someone who opts into a capture page and when you call them they act like they don't know what you are talking about. You want to talk about pissing people off. If you are not pissing enough people off you are not creating enough stir in your industry to make a difference.

And speaking of driving...I just smoked a 2010 car in the rear end today....haha. She hit her breaks too hard and there was nothing I could do.....it knocked the apple out of my daughters hand....

-Jeff Mitchell

[sevenish]

Originally Posted by Marc Rodill

It's probably bad to really feel that way.

It's not bad, per se. However it does reveal your lack of experience in dealing with individuals who are different from yourself.

Edit: It's quite common for US Citizens to not venture far from home.
Disclaimer: I'm a US Citizen.

[Marc Rodill]

Originally Posted by sevenish

It's not bad, per se. However it does reveal your lack of experience in dealing with individuals who are different from yourself.

Not, lack of experience, per se. I would definitely say maybe a lack of experience in knowing how to handle the situation appropriately.

Good point.


Edit:

Edit: It's quite common for US Citizens to not venture far from home.
Disclaimer: I'm a US Citizen.

Yeah, it's on my list of things to do. But I have been around. 3 cruises, a two week stay in Ireland, but that's about it. I need more travel.

I'm on the lookout for Barcelona and (of course) Amsterdam, at the time being.

When I get rich (of course).

[HeySal]

Pass that fattie over here, Marc.

Hey, what's wrong with someone expecting you to rip them off. If they buy with those expectations, then feel ripped off, at least your company has met customer expectations and very few companies can claim that.

Um....where did you say the water was?

[Versus]

Sounds like you just need a good old fashioned hug.

I have one available in the WSO room for a LIMITED ONE-OFF payment just $49.95! + s&h and a monthly ongoing fee of $32.


:P

[akasher]

I also feel like I am surrounded by dumb people. That doesn't necessarily make me smart.

[sevenish]

Originally Posted by Marc Rodill

Not, lack of experience, per se. I would definitely say maybe a lack of experience in knowing how to handle the situation appropriately.

Good point.

Ok. So we've gone from your being the "smartest person in the room" to your "lack of experience in knowing how to handle the situation appropriately."

Are your sure you're the "smartest person in the room?"

[Marc Rodill]

Originally Posted by HeySal

Pass that fattie over here, Marc.

Hey, what's wrong with someone expecting you to rip them off. If they buy with those expectations, then feel ripped off, at least your company has met customer expectations and very few companies can claim that.

Um....where did you say the water was?

Originally Posted by Versus

Sounds like you just need a good old fashioned hug.

I have one available in the WSO room for a LIMITED ONE-OFF payment just $49.95! + s&h and a monthly ongoing fee of $32.


:P

Hahahah.

You guys are great.


No free trial hugs? Damnit.

[Marc Rodill]

Originally Posted by sevenish

Ok. So we've gone from your being the "smartest person in the room" to your "lack of experience in knowing how to handle the situation appropriately."

Are your sure you're the "smartest person in the room?"

No, I'm definitely not.

I was just saying that sometimes, in the heat of the moment, I feel like it due to the circumstances I find myself in.

That's all.

[darrenolander]

lol - i definitely hear you. It's easy to see "stupid" people when you see something other people don't. What I mean is... when people ask you where the water is maybe they feel in a rush, and are not familiar with the soda fountain machine... it's simply ignorance because of lack of experience in that area - not necessarily being stupid. You may just very well appear stupid to many other people without knowing it... I hope they treat you well Of course there are a lot of less intelligent people and some things so obvious that they must be stupid not to know it, right? But especially in the service industry you just have to give them the benefit of the doubt...

[HeySal]

No free trial hugs? Damnit.

Please feel free to fill out the application. The position IS on call, I hope you understand. We can't guarantee a supply of hug needers to reciprocate with.
However, if you are the smartest person in the room and can suffeciently condescend until the others feel inferior enough to need support hugs, you can supply yourself with endless hours and opportunities to build a steady clientele.

[sevenish]

Originally Posted by Marc Rodill

I was just saying that sometimes, in the heat of the moment, I feel like it due to the circumstances I find myself in.

In the same "heat of the moment" ... while you are imagining what you can teach your potential client ... imagine how much your potential client can teach you.

Just a thought. Like I said, I've never felt like I was the smartest person in the room. I'm waaay too smart to think that way.

[R Hagel]

Originally Posted by The Expert

I feel like I'm surrounded by dumb people whenever they talk about "getting a job". Or going to school to "get a better job".

It drives me nuts that people will get so excited about working for someone else so they can have the privilege of begging for a 5% raise each year all the while praying that their industry doesn't experience a melt-down that will have them booted on the street. Like GM did in the last 36 months.

I just shut my mouth though. I can tell that when I talk enthusiastically about what I do that they consider me to be a wild-eyed risk taker. A river boat gambler that will learn that the "little guy" never makes in in this world and that I should fall in step and stop making waves.

So again...I keep my peace.

I feel extremely grateful that different people have different perspectives, goals and desires than my own. I wouldn't call them "dumb people" because of it. Different, but no better or no worse.

In fact, just think about it...

"Dumb people" make it possible for you to enjoy a night out on the town: Dinner at a restaurant, a movie, drinks and dancing. All brought to you courtesy of "dumb people."

If you ever get in a car accident, "dumb people" are the ones who're going to rush you to the hospital, stitch you up and perhaps save your life.

That computer you're looking at right now? "Dumb people" built it and shipped it to you.

Do you have kids? Do they go to school? If so, they're getting an education thanks to "dumb people."

And if you ever need help with your business -- from part-time outsourcer to full time assistant -- you'll be hiring a "dumb person."

[Kay King]

And, I'm just thinking, what the ****, lady? Couldn't let me over to save yourself 5 seconds of your life? I forgot about that until right now, but yeah.

And she's wondering what kind of driver waits till the last minute to get into the right turn lane - you know those guys who speed past the line of cars and then expect another driver at the front to make space for them? So they close ranks just to keep him out?

And, trust me, the woman wasn't thinking "look at that smart person"....

kay

[Intrepreneur]

I feel it, I feel it, I actually had this conversation with my ex-girlfriend the other night while watching X-Factor live.

It was something I always thought about, but it became more apparent at the moment I watched some of those X-Factor auditioneers make complete fools of themselves..

I don't like to think that way, but I think that there is a pure breed human in existence and I'm one of them!

[barbling]

Everyone always has some sort of gift the rest of the world lacks.

Problem is, sometimes that 'gift' is the ability NOT to see the obvious.

Lots of empathy.

[KimW]

Originally Posted by Marc Rodill

Hahahah.

You guys are great.


No free trial hugs? Damnit.

watch out for the upsell, the hug and the kiss.

[faheemersh]

i've felt like that so much because my school counselors never look at my grades properly and place me in a low level class.