I was on the phone with Armand Morin last night, and I've been thinking about something he said ever since.
We talked about the great ebooks that are out there...
We talked about some of the cool software tools that are now available...
And of course, we talked about AdSense.
But here's what he said that stuck with me.
"Joel, I've never met anyone who became a millionaire from reading a book."
Huh.
You know what?
Neither have I.
So I started thinking about what it was that became the turning point for me. What turned my profitable little business into a million dollar business?
It wasn't an ebook.
It wasn't a software product.
And it wasn't AdSense.
Nope.
The turning point in my business came when I got out from behind my computer and entered the "real world" by attending a live event.
In this case, I really owe Armand and his Big Seminar a tremendous debt of grattitude. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, attending Big Seminar in November 2005 was the catalyst for what has become unprecedented growth in my business.
The funny thing is, I wasn't going to go!
I remember when Jeff Walker emailed me and suggested that I go. He thought it would be a good thing for me.
I was reluctant.
I thought, "Man, it's $2000... PLUS airfare... PLUS hotel... PLUS food. It sounds expensive."
THAT was not business mentality speaking. It was small-mindedness with absolutely no vision. If I knew then what I know now, I would plunk down that money without batting an eye. (And I do now as I regularly attend live events, even if I am not speaking!)
But at that time, I just wasn't sure.
That's where my wife enters the picture.
I told her I was thinking of going to this "thing" and she asked me about it. I told her I really didn't know much but that Jeff Walker recommended I go.
I really trust Jeff's judgment. You won't meet a more genuine or caring person.
It was my wife's prompting that really pushed me over the top to attend Big Seminar. She said I should go and see what there might be there for me.
So, with a great deal of uncertainty and a stack of business cards, I made my way to Los Angeles.
Now, can I be honest with you?
When I walked into the room and saw hundreds of people, this thought actually went through my mind...
"What in the WORLD am I doing here?! This is a mistake..."
But, I had made the trip, paid my registration fee, and booked my room... so what the heck would I have to lose?
Stephen Pierce was the first speaker. I had never heard of this man before, but he proceeded to share his story and I was captivated. He began sharing his nuggets of wisdom that he had learned from his experience in business and I took notes fast and furiously. I quickly warmed up to the idea that not only was my attending NOT a mistake, but that it was actually some kind of divine appointment!
The speakers continued to parade across the podium for the next three days...
Alex Mandossian
Michel Fortin
Joe Polish
Dave Lakhani
... and the list went on, with each speaker delivering more and more value.
With what I had learned, I knew just a few hours into the first day that my investment was probably the absolute BEST investment I had ever made.
And I say that as a person who has bought and sold stocks on the public exchange. Besides that fact that I wasn't any good trading stocks (buy high and sell low, right?), even the people that were doing it well weren't going to profit from their trades the way I was going to profit from what I had learned.
But the teaching was just the tip of the iceberg.
While the notes I took had great value to me, I found even GREATER value in the people who were there on the same ride.
Relationships. Networking. Interaction.
This is where it really happens.
If just one thing sticks with you after reading this newsletter, I hope it is this concept...
"If you want to succeed in your business, the people you meet at a live Internet marketing event are the key to your success."
Go back and read it again in case it didn't sink in the first time.
It's true.
It's true.
It's true.
In the big picture, each of us go our own path and are accountable for our own actions.
Whether you succeed or fail ultimately doesn't fall on my shoulders. It's all on you.
So you can listen to me, or you can discount what I am saying.
You can believe that this wouldn't apply to you... that you are somehow "different".
You aren't.
The success of your business depends on your marketing plan. And a quality marketing plan revolves around people who can make that plan work.
You've heard the phrase "no man is an island", right?
I've found that to never be more true than when we are attempting to build a business without involving others...
... networking
... creating joint ventures
... brainstorming
Life is about relationships.
And THAT is the real value of Big Seminar.
Relationships.
I want to say something very bold to you now, so please listen.
I recommend many products and services to you based on my evaluation of their worth...
BUT...
If you haven't been to an Internet marketing seminar yet, I don't want you to buy one more single thing on my recommendation until you GO to one!
I'm serious.
It's time to take an inventory of where you are in your business.
If you aren't where you want to be, perhaps it is time to do something different, don't you think?
One and one-half years after attending my first Big Seminar, I will be appearing on the stage as a featured speaker.
I'm very excited about the opportunity, but I'm even MORE excited for the opportunity that is now before you.
Big Seminar #9 takes place at the end of this month, April 27-29 in Atlanta, Georgia.
According to my discussion with Armand, it is close to being sold out, and the hotel is almost full.
That means the time to take action is NOW.
No more lame excuses.
No more procrastination.
No more wrong thinking.
It's time to take action.
Armand Morin, Loral Langemeier, Marlon Sanders, Alexandria Brown, Russell Brunson, Joe Polish, David Riklan, Jim Edwards, Mike Stewart and myself will be providing you with so much incredible information that you won't be able to take notes fast enough!
Any successful business person will tell you that a key to their success was listening to and learning from others who were already successful. You won't find a more successful group than the one I just listed!
And when your brain is packed with life-changing action steps, the real value is just getting started.
You are going to meet so many incredible people with brilliant ideas just looking for new partners to build mutually beneficial relationships with!
Join me at Big Seminar later this month. I believe with every fiber of my being that it will be a turning point for you.
Make your plans now, and I will really look forward to personally meeting you there. No joke, I EXPECT to meet you there.
And here's what you are going to say to me when we meet...
"Joel, I was one of those people you were talking about. But I took action, got my butt off the seat and got out from behind the computer and am here. And I am so grateful that you encouraged me to do so. I get it and my business will never be the same."
And that, my friends, is what it is REALLY all about.
I'll see you in Atlanta. :-)
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
