Are You Ahead Of The Pulse?
May 26, 2008
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Gary Vaynerchuk Lesson 2: “Getting Ahead of the Pulse”
Last week we talked about the “Hoopla Factor” and how you’ve gotta find that thing that separates you from the rest of the world. That God-given talent that makes YOU who you are.
The 2nd thing that Gary talked about is “Getting Ahead of the Pulse.”
“Reading trends is Death City, USA”
In Internet Business, if you just focus on reading trends, searching for the next best keyword, you’re going to have the same results you currently have. Some of you might get lucky, but the true key to making things happen is to get ahead of the curve & be innovative.
Bill Gates calls it the “First Movers Advantage.” Whoever is first wins. Take a look at him and “Windows.” Take a look at what Steve Jobs did in the Music industry AND in the Cell Phone industry. They were the first to put something out that was extremely innovative and ahead of its time.
Gary was one of the first if not the first Wine retail company to have a website back in 1997. When everyone was enjoying the “fruity” California wine’s, and saw an obvious “segue in pallets” as he calls it, and moved to where wine was more fruiy…Australia & Spain.
He understood these things and was able to get ahead of the pulse because he talked to every customer, he read all the emails that he received every day and was literally in the trenches. If you’re able to get ahead of the pulse in your industry or your niche, you’re able to know what’s coming next. If you know what’s coming next and people see that, it will be only a matter of time before you start to rise up in your community as the leader & authority on the subject.
So what next how do you get ahead of the pluse? Here’s a few places you can start:
1. Twitter: Start connecting with people and becoming aware of what the “conversation” is & you’ll start to see things
2. Facebook: Find out what people are talking about most? Find how who’s on the “Top Friends” section of people’s profile.
3. Forums: Don’t waste too much time here, maybe once a week. Find out what people are selling, what the issues & problems are within your industry
4. Turn the TV On: Watch the Hills…just kidding. What are people talking about in the world today? What are Baby Boomers up to? How’s people handling the current state of America.
Interact with people, be engaging, provide value to them, listen to them, be very aware, and soon you’ll find yourself picking up on things.
I’m working on something that NO ONE is really talking about yet. You got a glimpse of it when I was interviewed by Social Marketing Expert Michelle Macphearson last thursday night when I talked about “Influencing the Social Networking Sites”
Get out there and start touching people, kissing babies, mingling and just have crazy awareness of what’s going on. Good luck!
Influencing Social Networking Sites
May 24, 2008
Alright check it. I’m about to give you the HOTTEST interview that I’ve ever given out so far. Michelle Macphearson who is one of the top if not THE top Social Marketing experts on the planets. I’ve been following Michelle for some time now but we’ve built a really great friendship in the last month or so because of social networking sites.
Check this out, she asked me a few days ago to do an interview on what I’ve been doing and how I’ve used social media and networking sites to connect with influencer’s, gain tons of traffic to my sites, build strong relationships with top entrepreneurs & make money online.
So I figured there would be anywhere from 30-40 people on this call but I was completely wrong. I started to advertise it on Twitter and because of my connections and relationships, my friends started talking about it and it started to grow virally. Before I know it, over 400 people were registered on the call and over 200 people stayed on the hour long call that we did. I’ve been on a lot of conference calls and for a 20 hour notice, those numbers are unheard off.
Here’s the recording to show you how I dominate the social networking sites using simple yet highly effect strategies!!! This audio runs 81 minutes.
I’d be very interested to what you liked best about the interview and any questions you still might have? Also make sure to follow Michelle @michellem on Twitter. Leave YOUR Twitter ID here as well so we can all connect!
Comment & Enjoy
BIG BIG Things Coming - Interview with Michelle Macphearrson
May 22, 2008
So check it - I’m going to resume the Gary Vaynerchuk lessons either tomorrow or Monday as I’m working on 2 REALLY exciting things.
The first one one is something that you can actually benefit from TONIGHT!! You see I’ll be interviewed by one of my good friends and MAJOR players in the Social Marketing niche, Michelle Macphaerson! This is the FIRST time that I’ve actually processed my thoughts on how “Alejandro” uses Social Media to make buzz, make friends, & make money. Check it out here. Make sure you register!
http://www.michellemacphearson.com/big-flippin-deal-thurs-8pm-est/
The second thing is I’m working on the hottest powerpoints showing the “How-To’s” of everything I’m up to online…Pretty crazy hott stuff!
Keep an eye out very soon!
Gary Vaynerchuk - You Gotta Find Your Hoopla Factor
May 21, 2008
Lesson #1: You Gotta Find Your Hoopla Factor
“You have to be excited about what you’re doing, if you have the hoopla factor it’s because you love what you do.”
Have you found your “Hoopla Factor?” Are you passionate about what you’re doing? In business, especially an Internet Business, you have gotta find your hoopla factor. It’s that thing in your business that you can get excited about, that thing that sets you apart in your niche and you just simply love doing it.
Whatever that hoopla factor is for you, make sure that you’re staying true to who you are. I see too many marketers & entrepreneurs that are just super fake! They see someone doing something that is getting attention so they try and become that person for some reason. That is so sad to me because it just shows that people are lacking a ton of confidence in themselves so they try and act like someone else.
You have got to realize that there’s something inside of you that is extremely special that sets you apart from everyone else. There’s an old proverb that says, “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great man.” I believe that thing inside of you, that DNA, that Passion of yours, is the thing that you need to find, that thing you need to tap into, so that you can be totally authentic, real, and transparent! Folks, when that happens, it’s a lot easier to get excited about things.
People are looking for an “Authentic Story.” What’s YOUR authentic story cause that’s your Hoopla Factor. It’s what sets you apart from everyone else. It’s okay to be different. I DARE you to be different and watch what happens. What’s the worse that can happen? People actually like you? 
Gary did things different in a MAJOR way. Here’s a couple things he did different then everyone else in his industy.
- Launching a Website: In 1997 WineLibrary.com was launched and no one was doing that in the Wine Industry.
- Gary was a bit of a “Freak Show”: When he was 20 years who knew a lot about Burgandy , people would come to see a kid that looked 13 talking about that.
- Invested Heavily in a Different Product Mix: When everyone else was talking about California wine’s and Gary was pumping out Spain & Australia and getting people really excited about that.
Gary did things different and is still doing things different? What are you doing different that you can get people excited about. People want to get excited and they’re looking out there for someone to get them excited in YOUR niche. Will it be you? I sure hope so.
Here’s what I would do if I were you because I’ve done this myself.:
- I would take out a piece of paper and write out the things or that thing that you’re most passionate about. That God given gift, talent that you know that if the world just saw this side of me, it would be over! People want to see THAT side of you. Now there can be many things, but try and keep it close to your business as possible. For some of you, you just might not be passionate about what you’re doing and might think to start doing something else?
- I would call 2 of your closest friends that TOTALLY know the REAL you! Or it can be business advisors. You gotta make sure they’re the friends that you know deep down have your best interest in mind. I would ask them to answer a few simple questions, “What makes ME me?” For me it was, “What makes Alejandro, Alejandro.” What are the good qualities and gifts that you believe separate me from everyone else? What’s ONE word that describes Alejandro.
- I would take the piece of paper and what your closest friends told you, and start to iron out who you really are and how you can bring that to the table in your business, to your clients, customers, etc.
I want you to take these simple actions and I DARE you to comment below and let me know what YOUR passion & gifts are and how you plan to implement that in your business. Don’t be afraid, we’re all here to help each other out.
I gotta warn ya, you might have to do some soul searching which to some people it isn’t fun. I HAVE to soul search, I HAVE to be in tune with my Passion cause if not, I get bored easy and there’s no excitement for what I do. But keep in mind, if you want that “Hoopla Factor” in your business, you gotta be willing to take the necessary steps.
I look forward to hearing from ya and tomorrow look out for the post entitled: “Get Ahead Of the Pulse.”
I’ll leave you with a quote from Gary:
“You need to create an air of excitement in your business.”
Random Day Off
May 20, 2008
Today I decided I’m going to take a Random Day Off.
Gonna hang with my new baby and have a nice dinner with my wife.
Look for the Gary Vaynerchuk Post tomorrow entintled “You Gotta Find Your Hoopla Factor.”
Looking forward to connecting with ya soon!
Going Big Like Gary Vaynerchuk
May 19, 2008
When I decided that I was going to be profiling Famous Entrepreneurs on Successfool I didn’t know initially who I wanted to profile first. Now keep in mind, these are people I consider famous entrepreneurs either because they’ve been very a successful entrepreneur in the past, are one now, or are an up and coming famous entrepreneur.
The week I was thinking of who I wanted to profile first, I watched an episode of the “Big Idea” with Donny Deutsch and I saw someone that I had been following on Twitter for a long time named Gary Vaynerchuk. What he shared in those 8 - 9 minutes where pretty awesome. The reason I chose Gary to be first is because everything he said on that show that night is relevant to what entrepreneurs need to be very aware of.
Gary Vaynerchuk of WineLibrayTV has helped take his family business from $4 Million to $50 Million in just a few short years. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, GQ, and Time, and has appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Ellen, Nightline, and Mad Money with Jim Cramer.
Over the next few days I’m going to share with you the 5 things that you can start implementing RIGHT now in your business and start seeing some results. Here’s a couple questions in the meantime.
What do YOU love about what Gary’s doing?
What’s the ONE question you would as Gary Vaynerchuk?
Famous Entrepreneurs Contest at Successfool
May 12, 2008
The Famous Entrepreneurs Contest is all about you guessing WHAT famous entrepreneur you think I’ll profile first. Next week I’ll be profiling the first famous entrepreneur on Successfool as I roll out phase 2 of Successfool.com Learn more about it here: Phase 2 - Famous Entrepreneurs
Make sure to watch this video for details on how to win & check out the PRIZES below!
Prizes:
- Lifetime to Successfool Premiere when it launches in 2 months
- Free Successfool T-Shirt - Coming out in July
- A review of your site next week on Successfool
- Free 30 Minute Social Media Marketing Consultation with me
I’m really excited to share this one with you to get off our famous entrepreneurs.
Comment and you might win!
Stay Hungry - Stay Foolish!
First 30 Days of Successfool - Successfool Stats
May 4, 2008
Here’s a quick video about my thoughts on the first 30 days of Successfool.com. In this video, I’m to be giving 3 Tips that you can apply today to start driving more traffic to your business that I’m not going to be sharing in this post.
Here’s a some interesting stats for month 1:
Unique Visitors:
4,014 - Averaged 133 uniques a day
Alexa Rank:
330,807
(before April 1st was over 800k)
Top Referring Sites:
1. Stumble Upon
2. Twitter (only started using Twitter in the 2nd week of April)
3. Wikpedia
Top Referring Friend Site:
Alice Seba (thanks Alice!!)
Most Popular Post:
1. What is Twitter?
2. The Most Important Day of My Life
Most Popular Interview:
David Wilkinson (we really found out that he’s REAL )
Top Commentators:
Jason Stanley Marshall
Tony Smith
Most Commented Post:
The Most Important Day of My Life
Favorite Tweets:
http://twitter.com/JPmicek/statuses/790455632
http://twitter.com/Ed_Dale/statuses/793751483
Most Diggs:
http://digg.com/business_finance/The_Most_Important_Day_Of_My_Life
I wanna thank those that help me out in month one of Successfool, you know who you are, and you ROCK!!
Will YOU be on next month’s stats?
Famous Entrepreneurs: Why You Need To Pay Attention
May 1, 2008
What’s going on everyone? Hope all is well! So it’s been one whole week since my last post about the most important day of my life. If you haven’t read the post yet, I encourage you to read it as my wife and I just had our first baby on April 23rd.
So now we roll into Phase Two of Successfool.com. Famous Entrepreneurs. Yup that’s right, famous entrepreneurs. As you know in Phase One, we interviewed a lot of Top Entrepreneurs on their “story” of success and how you can learn how to become and entrepreneur.
You can check out the top entrepreneurs interviews here:
Justin Brooke
Paulie Sabol
David Wilkinson
Jason Henderson
Jeff Mills
In Phase Two, I’ll be profiling the Entrepreneurs that have paved the way and are continue to pave the way for our success. This is really exciting for me as I understand the tremendous privilege that we have to learn how to become an entrepreneur from those that have failed, those that have been thought of as foolish, those that have invested millions into becoming successful.
We can learn so much from these famous entrepreneurs and take ideas and principles that they lived by and apply them to our business models. It’s almost like having the best mentor’s possible!
So the way it’s going to work is like this:
I’ll take polls by comments here and use Twitter to figure out who YOU want me to profile. Keep in mind, I’m talking about folks like, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump (one’s that are actually famous). I will then profile famous entrepreneurs about their “story” of success and even talk about their failures. After the profiling article, I’ll write 2-3 follow up lesson’s that we can all learn from these entrepreneurs.
Make sense? Cool!
So tell me, what famous entrepreneur would YOU like to see profiled?
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