Alright, this is gonna sound a little Butt Kiss'y...RESPECT IT!
LOL! Sorry, I really wanted to get the point across that while what you may read here might sound like I'm kissing some butt, I am actually not.
I respect these guys, and I think many NEW Warriors should take a step back and see the importance of one of the TRUE underlying elements of success and how if you follow a SIMPLE strategy (with a bunch of other stuff plugged in) you too can be AMAZING.
Alright, this is my story, and the story of the Warrior forum through my eyes. I'm telling this for two reasons;
1. new Warriors likely don't know anything beyond about 5 years ago regarding this forum and Internet marketing altogether, and there is a brief history lesson about IM'ing and the Forum here, that will help you get THE BIG PICTURE.
2. Because understanding the BIG picture will help laser focus your efforts No matter what they are.
And also, you should sit back and relax to read this, it'll be a little long. If you can't read it now, book mark it and come back. I think you may get something from it.
Ok, so here we go. I don't remember the exact time, but I recall being exactly what is called and rightfully so, a newbie. I had invented a product in the mid 90's after leaving Radio, and had done the 'reading and squinting at dark computer screens, learning to build crude webapges til 5 AM in the morning' strategy.
Wasn't fun. Well, it was fun, but very taxing. This product, Fantastics, the Decorative Ceiling Fan Blade Cover, was what I hoped would be my ticket out of middle class. (lol!) Seriously, I hoped that this would do it. I tested and sold at local flea markets. Found a couple other outlets, but just couldn't get it off of the ground.
Then, someone asked about the online thing. You must remember, we ALL had dial up, DSL wasn't invented. Sites like Google didn't exist. The Big search engines were Excite, Lycos, Yahoo, Magellan and a few others.
Um, they're basically all gone now. But I mention them because it was a logical strain of thought that led me HERE.
I was searching online for something, and thought "how do I get my listing there" which led me to online marketing, which led me to some strange and troubling tactics, NOT for Fantastics, but like most newbies, I was willing to try ANYTHING that said I would make money.
I fell for so MANY things as do a lot of folks, before synching their pocketbooks, until I one day, found the Warrior Forum. I did what most do.
Look around, and then, it was not as elegant as it is now. But I looked around and thought about it. And looked some more, and thought about it. And finally, I joined.
I do NOT recall how much it cost then, but whatever it was, I thought it was worth it. I was inside a place where people I was reading about online, were hanging out having REAL discussions about Internet Marketing.
And, overlooking it all, Allen Says and his group of wondermen (I did not think of them this way then...). Now I do not try to speak FOR Allen, rather suggest what I saw from the outside as a user and a follower, before followers existed, of a guy I thought had a great idea.
Early on the site had a different look, and did not have all of the function that it has now, but it worked and it worked WELL. As I could see, it had a couple basic purposes then; a spot for Real marketers to come and chat and talk, and second, a place for new folks to come and learn.
It's much the same now, with a few add-ons. Add-on's that make it better as a tool for commerce, learning and general growth and sharing.
So ok, because of my 'attitude' (rolling eyes...laughingly...I swear) I was lucky enough to come into direct contact with Allen on more than one occasion. Then, as I and other really irritated Allen enough, he unleashed Paul.
Paul was scary. Paul didn't really have a lot of tolerance for the back and forth. Now listen, I wasn't the only one engaging in this behavior. I don't want to sound like I was the ONLY problem child.
But whoever else did it doesn't matter, I was at fault for the outcome of this lovely story. But also the beneficiary.
So, after a few not-so-pleasant back and forths with Paul, and unfortunately, Allen, I was dismissed. Yes. Booted. I think it was a mutual thing too, meaning that I was so angry, as was Paul/Allen, for no other reason than I was taking up too much of their time, moderating ME.
LOL. (c'mon...laugh with me...)
Well, after leaving, I discovered VERY quickly, that when you search for answers about online marketing online, chances are you will cross the Warrior forum.
And, well, when you are a persona-non grata, you can't just BE a part of the discussion. And that limited my learning and ultimately, my success factor.
I don't cite my leaving the WF as the reason for me leaving IM'ing, but shortly after, I spent a few more bucks here and there, and headed in a new direction. Not online.
But, as is the case, when you get the bug, I would dabble in it here and there. As friend would ask for help, I would find out what I could. Afterall, I was a novice marketer by this time.
Well, a few years passed and I came back and begged for a password for my old account. I forgot (honestly) about the real back and forth that had transpired. All I knew was I needed back in.
After a few back and forth emails to support, I was offered an login. I got in, and what led me away this time was the purchase of a product that I used improperly, which led to a ban in search engines (not actually my fault, too technical for a newbie).
I just backed away, and actually focused on my TV career. But yes, still dabbling. And keeping up on trends, and testing in the background and learning and enjoying how IM'ing was growing.
By the time I got back into it, to promote a TV show I was producing, guess where I came?
Yup. The WF, but not so much to do anything other than see the trends. This was a place I knew I could see trends emerging.
I spent the next couple years bouncing in and out, and never registered. Until a few months ago. for whatever reason, I decided I needed to be registered and again, a Warrior.
So, once that happened, I got to REALLY look around, and guess what - this place ROCKS!
No, I know you know this, but listen, what I am saying is that this place ROCKS! And it has rocked since almost DAY ONE. I'm sure there were a few bugs before even I became a member.
But it rocked THEN and it rocks NOW. Which brings me to my point.
Allen Says and his team. Look around here. You don't see a bunch of 'OTHER" things. This is a forum. It's a good forum. It does a LOT. Many features.
WOW! right?
And all these years later, since safe lists were invented, since DIGITAL DOWNLOADS DIDNT EXIST, since social networks weren't...no, mark zuckerberg was in elementary school, all these years later, it is still JUST a Forum, and STILL a rock solid and effective and ......
wait for it.....
Money Making forum.
See, Allen built and nurtured ONE thing. I'm sure he had other ventures, but here, it was a Forum, and the best.
Honestly, even as I look through today, which is why I decided to write this, I STILL see him posting here and there ALL THE TIME. I don't know HOW he could have anything else going, and it really isn't the point.
The point - HE STAYED LASER FOCUSED on one thing, and nurtured and tweaked it until it worked right, then scaled it. And ALL THESE YEARS LATER, it is still running, and better and you should take note.
Diversification is good, and I support it. But the best model, with proof provided, is THIS forum. Laser focus led Allen and the crew, to a forum that every person reading this, has come to depend on.
The reason it is so good? Because it was HIS TARGET FOCUS, and by doing that, he did ONE thing REALLY well. Not a bunch of things...kinda good.
I hope this makes sense. I am trying to get folks to look at the BIG picture and how this forum and it's origin to now, show a great example of how IF you target your effort, you can build GREATNESS.
ok. Off of the soapbox.
Thanks for your ear/eyes...
I respect these guys, and I think many NEW Warriors should take a step back and see the importance of one of the TRUE underlying elements of success and how if you follow a SIMPLE strategy (with a bunch of other stuff plugged in) you too can be AMAZING.
Alright, this is my story, and the story of the Warrior forum through my eyes. I'm telling this for two reasons;
1. new Warriors likely don't know anything beyond about 5 years ago regarding this forum and Internet marketing altogether, and there is a brief history lesson about IM'ing and the Forum here, that will help you get THE BIG PICTURE.
2. Because understanding the BIG picture will help laser focus your efforts No matter what they are.
And also, you should sit back and relax to read this, it'll be a little long. If you can't read it now, book mark it and come back. I think you may get something from it.
Ok, so here we go. I don't remember the exact time, but I recall being exactly what is called and rightfully so, a newbie. I had invented a product in the mid 90's after leaving Radio, and had done the 'reading and squinting at dark computer screens, learning to build crude webapges til 5 AM in the morning' strategy.
Wasn't fun. Well, it was fun, but very taxing. This product, Fantastics, the Decorative Ceiling Fan Blade Cover, was what I hoped would be my ticket out of middle class. (lol!) Seriously, I hoped that this would do it. I tested and sold at local flea markets. Found a couple other outlets, but just couldn't get it off of the ground.
Then, someone asked about the online thing. You must remember, we ALL had dial up, DSL wasn't invented. Sites like Google didn't exist. The Big search engines were Excite, Lycos, Yahoo, Magellan and a few others.
Um, they're basically all gone now. But I mention them because it was a logical strain of thought that led me HERE.
I was searching online for something, and thought "how do I get my listing there" which led me to online marketing, which led me to some strange and troubling tactics, NOT for Fantastics, but like most newbies, I was willing to try ANYTHING that said I would make money.
I fell for so MANY things as do a lot of folks, before synching their pocketbooks, until I one day, found the Warrior Forum. I did what most do.
Look around, and then, it was not as elegant as it is now. But I looked around and thought about it. And looked some more, and thought about it. And finally, I joined.
I do NOT recall how much it cost then, but whatever it was, I thought it was worth it. I was inside a place where people I was reading about online, were hanging out having REAL discussions about Internet Marketing.
And, overlooking it all, Allen Says and his group of wondermen (I did not think of them this way then...). Now I do not try to speak FOR Allen, rather suggest what I saw from the outside as a user and a follower, before followers existed, of a guy I thought had a great idea.
Early on the site had a different look, and did not have all of the function that it has now, but it worked and it worked WELL. As I could see, it had a couple basic purposes then; a spot for Real marketers to come and chat and talk, and second, a place for new folks to come and learn.
It's much the same now, with a few add-ons. Add-on's that make it better as a tool for commerce, learning and general growth and sharing.
So ok, because of my 'attitude' (rolling eyes...laughingly...I swear) I was lucky enough to come into direct contact with Allen on more than one occasion. Then, as I and other really irritated Allen enough, he unleashed Paul.
Paul was scary. Paul didn't really have a lot of tolerance for the back and forth. Now listen, I wasn't the only one engaging in this behavior. I don't want to sound like I was the ONLY problem child.
But whoever else did it doesn't matter, I was at fault for the outcome of this lovely story. But also the beneficiary.
So, after a few not-so-pleasant back and forths with Paul, and unfortunately, Allen, I was dismissed. Yes. Booted. I think it was a mutual thing too, meaning that I was so angry, as was Paul/Allen, for no other reason than I was taking up too much of their time, moderating ME.
LOL. (c'mon...laugh with me...)
Well, after leaving, I discovered VERY quickly, that when you search for answers about online marketing online, chances are you will cross the Warrior forum.
And, well, when you are a persona-non grata, you can't just BE a part of the discussion. And that limited my learning and ultimately, my success factor.
I don't cite my leaving the WF as the reason for me leaving IM'ing, but shortly after, I spent a few more bucks here and there, and headed in a new direction. Not online.
But, as is the case, when you get the bug, I would dabble in it here and there. As friend would ask for help, I would find out what I could. Afterall, I was a novice marketer by this time.
Well, a few years passed and I came back and begged for a password for my old account. I forgot (honestly) about the real back and forth that had transpired. All I knew was I needed back in.
After a few back and forth emails to support, I was offered an login. I got in, and what led me away this time was the purchase of a product that I used improperly, which led to a ban in search engines (not actually my fault, too technical for a newbie).
I just backed away, and actually focused on my TV career. But yes, still dabbling. And keeping up on trends, and testing in the background and learning and enjoying how IM'ing was growing.
By the time I got back into it, to promote a TV show I was producing, guess where I came?
Yup. The WF, but not so much to do anything other than see the trends. This was a place I knew I could see trends emerging.
I spent the next couple years bouncing in and out, and never registered. Until a few months ago. for whatever reason, I decided I needed to be registered and again, a Warrior.
So, once that happened, I got to REALLY look around, and guess what - this place ROCKS!
No, I know you know this, but listen, what I am saying is that this place ROCKS! And it has rocked since almost DAY ONE. I'm sure there were a few bugs before even I became a member.
But it rocked THEN and it rocks NOW. Which brings me to my point.
Allen Says and his team. Look around here. You don't see a bunch of 'OTHER" things. This is a forum. It's a good forum. It does a LOT. Many features.
WOW! right?
And all these years later, since safe lists were invented, since DIGITAL DOWNLOADS DIDNT EXIST, since social networks weren't...no, mark zuckerberg was in elementary school, all these years later, it is still JUST a Forum, and STILL a rock solid and effective and ......
wait for it.....
Money Making forum.
See, Allen built and nurtured ONE thing. I'm sure he had other ventures, but here, it was a Forum, and the best.
Honestly, even as I look through today, which is why I decided to write this, I STILL see him posting here and there ALL THE TIME. I don't know HOW he could have anything else going, and it really isn't the point.
The point - HE STAYED LASER FOCUSED on one thing, and nurtured and tweaked it until it worked right, then scaled it. And ALL THESE YEARS LATER, it is still running, and better and you should take note.
Diversification is good, and I support it. But the best model, with proof provided, is THIS forum. Laser focus led Allen and the crew, to a forum that every person reading this, has come to depend on.
The reason it is so good? Because it was HIS TARGET FOCUS, and by doing that, he did ONE thing REALLY well. Not a bunch of things...kinda good.
I hope this makes sense. I am trying to get folks to look at the BIG picture and how this forum and it's origin to now, show a great example of how IF you target your effort, you can build GREATNESS.
ok. Off of the soapbox.
Thanks for your ear/eyes...