Offliners, I Need Your Honest Input

Hi Michael. You've got tons of experience and have been running a very successful business for years now. You've probably lost perspective on people beginning in the field unless you are mentoring some first hand.

So for me, I'd want to know more on how a successful consultant runs his business. The day to day operations. The legal mumbo jumbo. The MINDSET. How you delegate and outsource - what you don't. How you deal with clients - directly and "socially". Etc.

Basically have a more concise, clearer picture of what to aspire to.

Take sports for example. Someone might begin golf, or hockey, or MMA or whatever, yet still see how the top performers play the game. It helps to get there, or even half way there.

Having a great coach is a must to reach the higher levels, while not mandatory in the beginning (though getting things right and getting momentum is great at the beginning too!)

There are already a lot of resources for "beginners", while not many successful entrepreneurs are willing to let people see how they run their businesses.

P.S. I appreciate what you're setting out to do!

Wow, Michael...this is very generous of you! I've followed many of your posts, and I must say that you, along with John, Vagabond and a few others really always offer some priceless information. And you offer so much for FREE! It's all about giving back to the community, and you guys are all tremendously generous in sharing your knowledge. It's refreshing to see posts that offer REAL value, instead of just the typical "How I made $10,000 in 12 days using this method." posts that are all over this forum and many other similar forums online.

I think it would be great to cover the extreme basics a bit for those just starting out, but also to get more involved with intermediate and advanced topics which will help "take our business to the next level" as you said. Many people have the basics down, but are lacking a few steps that could be the difference between a 5 figure or a 6 figure income for themselves. Any insight you can provide to help "fill in those gaps" would be wonderful!

With your expertise and help, I think you would really be able to help a number of us propel to new heights. Regardless, just watching the videos and going out and taking ACTION will be the difference between those of us who reap the true rewards and become more successful.

One of the toughest things about being a new business owner is that you need to really work hard (especially at first) to make a name for yourself. Nothing comes easy in life, and starting a new business is no different. You need to build self-confidence, prove yourself, accept rejection from time to time, and never give up...even when times are toughest. Believing in yourself is crucial to your own success. There are way too many of these "get rich quick" products out there, that bring false hope to a lot of people. "Lazyiness" won't get you anywhere in life!

I look forward to whatever you can and are willing to offer us!

Thanks so much!

Mike

I guess Michael the keys are that many coming into this industry are not business people so developing a course that caters for them will need to contain a lot of basics.

So for example lots of people get stuck at the front door.

How do you get past the gate keeper.

Make a short presentation as offline business people are busy.

As an offline business person I get 5 to 10 people a week pushing seo, directories etc.

How to separate your self etc.

Quentin

I dont know Michael But I'll say one thing... your new avatar ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!

It would be helpful to learn more about streamlining the post-sale work, for example, how to find and manage the outsourced workers for maximum efficiency. Like any other successful sales work, we always need to be prospecting for new business.

Thanks for putting this together, it's a great idea and contribution.

I think it should be a step by step focus.
Too many times, people jump from one idea to another.
If you were to create a membership site, you could make membership increments.
For example: Month 1 you learn how to sell websites to business owners
Month 2 you learn how to do Google Places
Month 3 you learn about social media
And so on
Then you can have an advanced feature, that requires a small fee from members for access.

If you limit the amount of info a person receives, it will encourage more action.
As they can't jump around and learn everything. This forces them to learn one thing and only one thing.

I don't know right now (it's late), but I know enough to add my voice and say, "where and when do I sign up?"

One thing. There are a million courses that do "x", but you do so much more. There's a lot you bring to the table that just isn't your "standard" stuff.

A look-over-your-shoulder portion with such short time would be tough, but still very valuable.

Whatever you do...thank you. I'm in.

As detailed as possible assuming your audience is dumb. That will save you lots of future customer service and hassle. It never hurts to include more detail if you are on the fence. Some customers may make the same jump as you, but others who are very new will be left struggling and might not follow through because of it.

Definitely more advanced stuff. I'm curious to learn more about landing BIG clients.

And I was always curious about how you use direct mail to generate clients. Is that something you even still do or is it all referrals/word of mouth now?

I'm extremely interested in this, I've followed your posts for a while now and I no you walk the walk.

I would be interested in learning more about.

1. Lead generation (through direct mail etc)
2. Prospecting
3, Qualifying
4. Positioning (you as an expert)
5. Presenting your services/solutions to clients

Thanks

~Bryan

Man, you guys have really hit the ground running - and set my bar pretty high! Which is awesome actually! Some really great stuff that you guys want to cover. It's great to see so much interest in so many varied intermediate and advanced subjects. The good news is that I think so far, all of the stuff touched on is well within reach in my arsenal.

I talked to a marketing associate last night who runs in the same league and he's really excited about the possibilities with me being willing to dive in. He thought that maybe doing some interviews of guys we know that would otherwise be really inaccessible could be cool. I have to think about that one because that gets into more business and entrepreneurial coaching vs. just the rifle scope I am trying to hit right now of helping offline folks who are ready to jump to the next level with their immediate business.

So why haven't I done this yet? Well I've dabbled and sniffed around. But my concern has always been crossing my core business with some of the "darker" aspects of internet marketing - let's face it, a lot of internet marketing/affiliate marketing, et al doesn't exactly have a stellar reputation. Particularly in the corporate arena, where it's seen as fodder for all the spam email that everyone's Barracuda spam filter servers work around the clock to scrub. By the same token, I hang around internet marketing forums and sites because I do apply a lot of the latest and greatest tactical level stuff in my own efforts for clients. So it's certainly not all bad.

I just got to the point where I realized that I could be a catalyst for helping move some of this stuff to the next level for people who really want to make a go of it. Plus, as silly as this sounds, I am actually tired of doing so much consulting work. It's tiring and I need a change - doing some fun stuff like teaching and coaching could be just the thing to breathe some fresh air back into my own career. I've actually taught for some Chamber of Commerce continuing ed programs in the Cincinnati area. I really enjoyed doing the half and full day sessions for rooms full of 100-200 people who were on the edge of their seats interested in learning how to develop marketing systems for their own businesses.

And most of all... the one thing that I have to say is that I LOVE THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT of internet marketers.

haha... Jay Rhome, you surmised that I may have lost touch with the trench... but I can assure you that I have never forgotten my bootstrapping roots and love startups - I have owned multiple small businesses outside of my consulting - including a small chain of independent coffee houses and a screen printing company. I love the challenge of a startup and the way to kill me dead would be to put me in charge of some monsterous publically traded bureaucracy as the CEO and tell me to keep the engine running. I'm not a bureaucrat - even for that kind of money.

A few folks have sent me PMs asking if I will be doing any direct coaching, and the answer is that everything is on the table at this point - but right now I am only trying to zero in on the exact wish list for the "taking it to the next level" topics that you all really want.

Whatever I do with it all after the fact is still up for grabs but first things first - get a very solid series of tutorial sessions together to help propel the business plans for those intent to step up their game.

Keep all the good ideas coming and packerfan, don't feel bad about making a long list. If you have a topic that you're interested in seeing me cover, rattle it off.

P.S. Vagabond... yes I do still use direct mail. SRDS is the secret sauce!

I would love to hear about working with local Chambers, (as I'm working on doing so now) and things of that nature.

You rock Michael. (No pressure or anything. )

Michael:

I think that people could benefit from the strategy we were discussing. I just revealed some of it in another thread earlier. That is going to help people bypass the natural blocks they are going to run into.

the importance of NOT cold selling or using high pressure or emotional sales pitches etc. there is no emotional triggers so I think what we went over would be great for beginners and act as an eye opener.
just wanted to add my thought here. Michael is a fantastic coach so you guys are in for a treat whatever he chooses to do
cheers
-Will

Hey Michael,

I think "know your demographic" ...my suggestion would be stay focused on your core competencies. You've preached a lot about the "big ticket" clients. I'd say develop a free training course on how to go about getting those types of clients. The types of "attendees" for that course will give glowing testimonials.... for when you start your paid membership or one-to-one consulting.

I don't think you should try to be a one-size-fits-all with your course, as you'll end up leaving out those nuggets that make the difference between a good course and a "HOLY ****" course.

I would like to see more intermediate advanced stuff......and also some examples on pricing. I'm finding many people in my area just don't want to part with a cent!

Linda

Put me in the column for intermediate to advanced techniques, especially going after
the bigger/higher end clients.


They have some international business to business directories. It was awhile ago, but I helped a friend with a obtaining a mailing list for the Caribbean.

Just got done with another session this morning, this one covers how making one key adjustment in how you approach the selling of your services creates instant credibility with even the largest prospect, sets up your sales effort with one value proposition after another, creates huge distinction in the market, and maps out your internal business operation to be process-driven and scalable... all that in one shot.

Fo reals yo. No hype.

Everyone is definitely going to get the hardcore, straight shot of intermediate to advanced stuff. I'm not pulling any punches.

Sounds quite good. I am sure it will be helpful for offliners, especially if you include some newbie stuff for those starting out (myself).

Michael,

I'd choose to go back to the bone: how to show people how much they are missing without your stuff.

Major problem over here - MayDay!!

Michael,

Sound like a great resource for people just getting into offline consulting.

Vinnie

By way of an example, Dr Mani is running a "10 Day Blog Challenge" and perhaps the teaching could be by way of a challenge. 1. Cold call/email a prospective customer 2. They sign up for a service you are offering. 3. Adding value to the service 4. Find another customer. Rinse and repeat. Don't pass go until you have the customer and can prove it!

Information on the services offered to be laid out like a template/blueprint with the steps to follow.

Brian

Well I launched it as a free membership site. No charge. Just check out my sig. Thanks to all who provided input.

Here's one of the videos to start...

Michael, finally got around to signing up and just started watching.

This is great!

Thank you

Hey Michael,
I signed up and confirmed but wasn't redirected to the account creation page... I tried confirming again but the script would allow me any further on the subsequent attempt. Would you pm me the link to create the account.
Thanks!
Joshua

The systems and processes that make it all work.

Michael I just went through all seven of your first videos and they are super! I can't wait to see more. Thank you for creating this!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, I never tire of seeing how generous Warriors can be with their time and expertise!! I add my vote for helping beginners overcome the paralysis caused by;

1. Getting your foot in the door
2. Overcoming the personal hurdle of not feeling 'expert' enough to confidently sell services
3. How to overcome the lack of a portfolio or references

Starting your vids now - thanks for this!!

Great offer. Very generous. Thank you, Michael! Love new & different perspectives. Checking out what you've got here now.