This is quite an economic downturn we're having (or have they finally called it a recession?). I must admit, apart from the absolutely insane, and mishandled, housing crisis, it doesn't truly affect the businesses I have setup (yet). Will it affect them at some time? Perhaps. I feel well prepared. Diversified even (to coin a phrase). I look forward to sharing that…

More importantly, there's never been a more important time, even historic, for me to expedite my desire to teach, and fulfill my passion to educate.  I love teaching - always have. To that end, we'll have some huge announcements about that coming up towards the end of the year - as I batten down the hatches and prepare to finally launch all that I've been threatening to launch for the last three years.

How has the economic downturn (oh, screw it, I'm calling it a recession), affected you? Has it? I filled up my car yesterday, and had to double check the price, because it felt so CHEAP! After this last summer, that was quite a surprise…Oh, and my stock portfolio? A crazy person like me? Down in the steep double digits!

This is an amazing video on being an Entrepeneur, making a contribution, virtue not vice, and why you can never let "the other side" accuse you of a "vice" just because you're an entrepreneur. And certainly not just because you run a successful enterprise.

We are all going to be forces for good, and I'm going to lead people in that way - a moral responsibility. Driving business as a force for good.

Please, visit Yanik's blog and see this video!

I don't know anything about the Lifebook program he discusses, but I do believe in what he's saying! What do you think?

Wow, this was timely blog post, that flowed RIGHT into what I experienced on my trip!

to OUR success -

MC

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How excited am I to be back at work? VERY excited. I'm really behind, but I've been meeting with people (yes, very successful people) all over the world now about the new internet marketing business, and it's really going to be great. As always, I'll be utilizing my single greatest asset - that which you also have - a passion to produce greatness. If I can boil down my success to TWO points, and the success of ALL the people whom I met on this business trip, it's:

a) We have passion and excitement for what we do BEYOND everyone else. Some people are passionate about money (and as ya' know, that ain't me, but I recognize the uses) and some people are passionate about vision and helping people (and thankfully, that IS me, and yes, it's going to be you too).

What all these people get, and what 99% of other people don't, is that good things happen to good people. No, not always, and NO not without work. Yet, All of the people I met are exceedingly good people. All were donating their time for the benefit of the world LONG before they actually had any money to do so.  It's good to be surrounded by people of like minds.

Now, I'm not preaching here. You won't have to be a saint to follow me to your goals (be they financial, freedom, happiness or something else). I'm simply pointing out common characteristics that were shared by all the people whom I met with and partner with.

b) They weren't out for themselves. They had a vision and were out to make a difference. Ok, maybe this is a little preachy. But something we all shared were strong visions and dedication to helping people (in and through whatever business we were doing). You could be selling saltine crackers, and as long as your doing it for the right motivations, and with a strong and clear vision, you'll likely be successful given the right roadmap (regardless of Nabisco or any other saltine cracker sellers out there).  You may be misunderstood, you may undergro great trials and difficulties, you may not find other like-minded saltine sellers, yet you will succeed in your vision and bring saltines to those people whom need them.

You will always have to overcome naysayers, small or narrow mindedness, and people whom try to bring you down. The greater your vision, often the greater your reward (whatever you envision that reward to be).

The final thing all these "Masters of the Universe" had in common…

Well, we have to save something for the next post!

Oh, a side note - I call the people whom I met with "Masters of the Universe" because I admire them. They are REAL, solidly, friendly, outgoing, great people - whom have a vision for their business, and outlook for the world, which leaves us all better off.  I know, it's a crazy title - but it's important to draw the distinction between envy (you may ENVY people who have more money, bigger business, etc…), and admiration. I admire these people. These people inspire me to do more!  What inspires you?

UPDATE: Blogging! Crazy world. It's hard to blog, and blogging for money (well, that's crazy), but the new course which I told you about (well, actually - my assistant told you about) last week is getting pretty good reviews from people out there using it. Remember, I DO NOT promote blogging as a way to make money (although, for limited monthly income it's fine) but I do think it's a great outlet, and way to reach people. Did you get it? We'd love to hear your comments.

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Thus, when I enter a niche, I have, on occasion, used Aweber to offer greater email deliverability. It's not easy! Whenever you have multiple tools to do various things, it's simply beyond the scope of the Basement Empires I create.  However, I've done it. Now, I really regret it. I mean, it's easy to see how my secondary AR service will cost MORE monthly than my integrated shopping cart, in short order! The one benefit of Aweber beyond deliverability (and a few small things, like hover ads/lightboxes) was the fact that it was 19.95 regardless of number of leads. Wow - big change! Heads up y'all.

What does this do? Reinforce my reliance on (and unseperable partnership with) www.ShoppingCartCrazy.com (for good and for bad).  Simple the best integrated solution out there for beginners and intermediates (and for people now, whom like me, are too large to change).

Choosing the right tools to build your business on is quite possibly on of the single greatest indications of your long term success (at least in the top 10)! Tools, Tools, Tools.

Anyway, on to more news! Yaro is realeasing his Blogging program and in so doing has released a couple of videos that are pretty good. As you know, I have little space for people whom earn big money, and produce shoddy video, but we'll give him a break, since he's running his own Basement Empire too.

This is the second video, and it's interesting!  I'm starting to warm up to this. Go ahead, take a looksie for yourself and see what Yaro Starak (that name - killer…) is up to. I'm changing my name to Bailo Lightfoot (no I don't know what that means, I just want a cooler name).

Of course, the blog, Entrepreneur's Journey, is a raving success too (for those people whom can actually spell Entrepeneur).  Lucky he's in Australia!

To your blistering, crazy, Immutable success!

MC

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However, I am going to get it. That's right I am going to get it. Likely, I'll be first in line. And in so doing, I thought I'd let ya' know, and if you want to get it too, you can join me.

It's on sale tomorrow, and I'm sure it will bring down the internet, freeze the servers, and melt the polar ice caps.  I'll be first in line though - let me know what ya' think of the Traffic Secrets!

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In fact, I dominate it.  Dominate is a big word, I know, but … it fits. In every metric that matters, I absolutely crush everyone around me.  I would say… I'm likley 10x larger than my nearest competitor, That's a big discrepancy. You'd think I'd be happy about that wouldn't you? Guess what! I'm not. I have very few whom I can actually partner with. 

It's not even that hard for me to dominate. I should have to work harder to do what I do. I am willing to work harder to do it. Hell, I even want to work harder to do it. But in this niche, it's doubtful that I'll have to - for many reasons. If I had competitors, on any level, I'd have partners. I don't actually believe in competition as a bad thing. Sure, I suppose it's not great to lose a competition, but in my heart of hearts, I am simply not a competitive person. I like to win, sure, but I don't seek out competition for the sake of it. I seek out…partners!  I want partners. I want people in my niche that I can work with. I want people that want to make a difference.

First, as in all my niches, people seem to have no grasp of exactly how big we are, what we do, and how we do it, and they simply aren't inquisitive enough to ask.  I can't even remember the last time we were approached for any kind of partnership or deal. That's both a good and bad thing from a business perspective. I've been able to be the major and completely dominant player in one of my niches (and a major player in the other two), without anyone actually knowing about it. Isn't that incredible? If you don't know why that's important, that's ok, we'll get into that later, but regardless, isn't it interesting that people don't know who I am, nor what I do, nor try to reverse engineer my business?  I mean… this is big business, you think people would try to do that huh? You think they'd simply want to partner with it, be part of it, come along for the ride… but no. Nothing!

Once again, I'm not saying this to gloat. Once again, quite the opposite. I've often been bummed and dissapointed at the lack of professionalism in this specific market, and the typical artistic disdain for all things "business".  It's ironic that all too often, that disdain, turns into shoddy products, and ripping off their own customers. I've often yearned (yes, yearned) for other people whom might raise the bar, whom I might work with, whom were similarly motivated to do great things.

It's hard to find people passionate about things. Really, anything! Passion is hard to find. Passion with a desire for business is a harder thing to find. And passion in business that is not motivated out of greed, or the singular desire to make money, is damn nigh impossible. Unfortunately, I fall into that group. Sure, I'm motivated by money, but I'm far more motivated by a desire to reach people, to improve lives, to actually leave a positive mark on society and people's day to day existence. Perhaps that's why I can still do what I do…

Yes, every now and then people popped up. There was even one Yanik Silver follower whom did some really great things, and whom I admired and helped me up-my-game. However, he's long since left the niche. Moved on to greener pastures? Perhaps. However, one or two people out of hundreds, if not thousands, of people that are in the niche? That's a small percentage is it not?

And guess what? It applies to other niches as well.  Yep! It's both part of my success and a reason for my personal failure, that I haven't created more competition for myself, started more people on the road to success, created competitors so that I might partner with them.If you've read the MarketingCrazy into, you hear me briefly touch on it. It's part of the reasons I am entering my new niche - the marketing niche, and the business building niche. See, I can even publicly state my next niche, I am certain in my ability to be a major player. However, whether that translates into a known player, or simply a powerful one, remains to be seen.

Am I crazy? Will I be a victim of my own success? Will I create a young apprentice who'll then rise up and take me down (ok, too many Star Wars episodes).

Why Do I dominate my Niche(s): Because no one else cares to, and those that might, either do not have the skills they need, or do not have the correct motivations to last.  I'm going to fix that shortly … or at least give people the ability to fix it themselves. My question is - how many will rise to the challenge, even when it's handed to them?

Why Do I have no Real Competition: In business, especially small, niche based business, you better be fast, agile, and belive in partnerships. That's the way to growth. I am a big believer in the JV. In my other niches, it is the prime reason for my greatest successes. In the dance niche, it barely exists (affiliates obviously not included).

So, what is the interesting part?  It's simply that, until looking at my blackberry, I had no idea (nor, crazy enough, really cared too much) about how much money I had made that day. I admit, when I looked at my phone, and saw the dollar number, I did do a double take.  That's a nice day's work for anyone right? Even more impressive in that I hadn't actually done any work that day.

I was happy! But the interesting part is that my business runs in such a way that, regardless of my individually daily plans, and regardless of how I choose to spend my freedom and free time, I am always making money.

I remember the days where I would actually sit glued to my computer for every sale. I would be ecstatic over every single one. $10 a day was great, then $100 a day, then $1000 a day. After a while (ok, it did take me a few years), you eventually get over it. You simply don't check every day. It takes greater and greater amounts to even make you interested.  Don't worry, we'll get you there eventually … If you want.

Because the point of this email is not what you think. It's not me gloating over a good day and it's not me telling you about the freedom this kind fo life provides, it's actually quite the opposite. As I went to this movie downtown, as I enjoyed my lunch outside, I saw the enormous number of workers. Office workers. They are everywhere. They get a paycheck every week, and they don't need to worry about their jobs from month to month. I'm fairly certain I could have offered this lifestyle to each and every one, and actually had the knowledge to give to them to make it happen, and yet I couldn't get over the fact that likely only a fraction would even want it.

They might not believe me. They might not believe they could actually do it. They might have excuses or ideas of why it wouldn't work for them.

Even more than that, conventional society, and those that work within it, don't ever have to worry about what they're going to do everyday. They'll be at work right? So easy. All the days of their week are spoken for. All their hours are determined. They have their free time after work right? It makes life… structured!  Structure …

Some people need this structure. They simply can't, or don't know how, to live without it. I find it excpetionally interesting. As you'll hear me say shortly, I think that everyone can do what I do. I believe that everyone can turn their passions into businesses, if they are shown how, As i've told you before, I'm going to show you just that.

However, just because I believe that people can do it, doesn't mean I think they will, or that everyone will even try. In fact, I think only a small portion of the people around me, and the people that I reach, will even try to create a business online. I think those that try, and those that follow in my footsteps, are in for an amazing life, and a thoroughly rewarding experience, beyond anything they can possibly conceive, especially from the vantage points of their 9-5 jobs.

So, it' seems only right that on July 4th, we should talk of freedom. Because one thing you find in the MarketingCrazy lifestyle is freedom. What you'll find is freedom … freedom of your time, freedom of your money, freedom in every way imaginable.

However, with freedom, comes greater responsibility, and that's what people rarely see, or even want to talk about. 

Yes, I'll teach you how to build a business online.Yes, you'll likely find freedom, in many, many ways. Yes, it's great to have ten dollar days that turn into hundred dollar days, that turn into thousand dollar (or 10k, 20k or more dollar) days…

It's also extremely difficult to keep focus, to plan your days, to manage your time, to find your passions and keep them strong, to be disciplined, to manage your money, to be solely responsible for your business and your finances…

All those things that convential "jobs" do for you will be gone. What's left is your time, your family, your days, your passions, and your freedom. So what's so hard about it? Well, I hope one day to discuss it with you. I couldn't imagine that I'd be in the position I am today, as I left my last 7 day a week, 24 hour a day, corporate job - but here I am, living a life that's in many ways unimaginable, and all I can say is … why wouldn't everyone want this?

Yet many don't. They simply don't, regardless of the reason. So I ask you, do you?

We'll take it one step at a time, let's get you that business first…Let's prove to you that yes, you can actually do this too.

Happy July 4th! Enjoy your free time…

As a past member of StomperNet I want to tell you… It's a very good service and I even think that has improved an enormous amount over time.  Thank heavan's no one talks about the ULE anymore.

But you probably want to know if I think you should buy it… the answer is no, for people doing under 500k, and less than 5 employees. It's simply TOO large, and will actually force you to focus on details you needn't spend your time on.  As I said before, getting to the "making money" part on the internet takes time, and focus, and money. This will cost you time and money, and will decrease your focus. Ouch!  It's a great program, but if anything, it's simply too big for beginners  (those earning under 500k). How did I come up with 500k? Totally random…But Indiana Jones is starting today, and I needed to answer all the emails in one fell swoop!

AND, it makes me sad to see SO many people marketing this SO heavily, without really trying to figure out how in tarnation their email list of 100k (or whatever these major marketer's have), are going to benefit from it. Even Rich, king of the Systematic business building niche, is driving the masses in droves.

Do I think $997 is too much? No, actually not! If you can focus 40 hours a week (as I said last year during the launch), and have employees, sure thing.  Do I think this will get you where you want to go? As a beginner, not a chance in hell. It will be a windy, treacherous road, you could have navigated better and easier.

Now, that being said, the free content is outstanding, and I highly recommend you gobble it all up, and absorb what you. However, for a newbie, starting out, or growing their business … I simply can't recommend it!  It's too big, and will swallow you whole in it's massive grasp, while robbing you of the one thing you need to do, focus.

So, if you're not focussing on the upteen courses within StomperNet, what are you focussing on? Great question. The simple things! The step by step processes that I've brought up before. The easy course I recommended a few months ago. Work at that!  Don't get caught up in the details or the latest thing every marketing guru is throwing at you. PLEASE!  Why?

Becuase, while yes, the DEVIL is in the details, and so are a lot of the profits, the BASIC foundation is in the fast execution of SIMPLE and STRAIGHTFORWARD ideas. That's what sets me apart and that's why I'm so successful, and the same applies to you, and everyone else.  That is the basis of the upcoming MarkeitngCrazy launch (still months and months away).

What's the guage… really, if you have several employees, and over 500k of revenue, than this program can really help train employees, and

StomperNet, It's so massive - your simply going to get out, what you put in, and since there are SO many things competing for our attention, like ALL big ticket courses, I'm recommending you drive around this one, rather than into it.  Just for now…Comments?

PS - Many asked if I would rejoin StomperNet, ever, and the answer is … yes. At some point I'd consider it, as a training tool for my employees perhaps.

This is a long email, and it's not til' the very end, that they mention the possibility (mind you, just a possibility), that my profile may have been deleted. Here it is, in all it's hilarity (good part bolded at the end):

If you already have an account, there could be several reasons why you cannot login.

Please read carefully over the following solutions that may help you with your login problems:

CLEARING YOUR COOKIES

Please verify that you are logging in with the correct password and username. We also recommend clearing your browser's cookies and temporary internet files and then try logging in again.

Often, changing internet browsers can do the trick. For example, try Internet Explorer if you are using AOL. Note: Mac users should use Safari or Firefox for the best browsing results.

Also, try lowering your browsers security settings. If you are using a firewall, try lowering those settings, if possible.

If you have already tried the methods above, check to make sure your profile still exists by finding your profile on the site. Also, look for comments you posted on your friends' profiles. If you cannot find your profile, it may have been deleted. MySpace may delete profiles if they violate the site's Terms and conditions. You cannot retrieve a deleted account.

TOO MANY FAILED LOGIN ATTEMPTS

When you cannot login and see the message in red letters “too many failed login attempts". Once you receive this error message you will have to change your email and password settings to correct the issue.  Wait 15 minutes and try to log in again.  If the problem persists, reply to this email for further assistance.

YOUR PASSWORD WAS CHANGED OR YOU FORGOT IT

If you have not done so already, go to myspace.com and click on the link 'Forgot Password'.  An email will be sent to the email address you used to set up your profile in about 5 minutes.  If you do not receive it within that time, you may have inadvertently entered an incorrect address.  If your problem is logging in, click on "Login Trouble" and choose one of the links listed to address your concern or use the link below to have it sent to your email address:

http://collect.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.retrievepassword&MyToken=3b1fccb8-8d0c-4f64-8428-e4fd5f41899e

1. Enter the email address you signed-up with, and we'll email your password to you.

2. You'll receive an email with your password in a few minutes.  Make sure to check your junk/bulk mail folder because sometimes it's sent there rather than your inbox.

If you do not receive your password, please reply to this message with the URL to your profile, your email address and a salute.

CREATING AND SENDING A SALUTE

1.  A salute listing your friend id.  (A salute is a current photo of you holding a handwritten sign with your friend id.  The friend id is the last set of numbers in your URL in the address bar of your internet browser.  You can find your friend id by using the 'Search' link to look for your profile.  There is no need to login to your profile to use this feature.)  This will be used for identification purposes only so please ensure we are able to clearly see your face.

2.  Send the salute as an attachment to an email and include the new email address and password you'd like to use in the message.

We will email your password to you.

Please note that we do not accept birthdates for verification purposes.

If you are a band profile, you are required to submit a salute and send your request to musicsupport@myspace.com.

HAVING PROBLEMS SETTING UP AN ACCOUNT

If you can't create an account, we recommend deleting your browser's cookies and temporary internet files and then close all browsers and try signing up again.  (Note: Mac users should use Safari or Firefox.)  If this doesn't resolve the problem, try one of the solutions below:

*  Please note, users of MySpace must be at least 14 years of age or older.

*  Make sure you didn't add a space at the beginning or end of your email address or verification code.

*  If someone is using your email address please send us an email from that email address to verify you are the legal owner  and we will be able to delete that fake profile.

*  If your account has been deleted for any reason, your email address may still be suspended in our system, so you might want to try a new email address.  It may be some time before it is released.

*  If you are shown an error message when attempting to create an account, try to submit your page again.  If this does not work, please copy and paste it into the body of your reply email.

ACCOUNT DELETED

The profile in question has been deleted.  We do not keep records of removed profiles or images. If it was removed by Myspace, it was because of a violation of our terms and conditions - which can include a number of issue (inappropriate images, spam, cyber bullying, underage use, etc). Please review our terms for further assistance:
http://collect.myspace.com/misc/terms.html?z=1&MyToken=82a93f2a-7c62-4928-aad8-f899fb4bc97b

Please note that once an account has been deleted, there is no way to re-activate the account or retrieve any of the information.

If you've tried each of these steps and continue to have problems please reply to this email for further assistance. Please do not alter the subject as it will be considered a new inquiry.

So, the answer provided, is that there's a possibility my profile was deleted (only after going through a bunch of other possible options. Well, um, ok. This was so ludicrous, that I had to reply. Here's my reply, and the resulting email I eventually (after many attempts) recieved from Myspace:

MY RESPONSE:

Whoa - honestly, I didn't do anything wrong, certainly nothing that would violate your TOS! I can't even get to my profile by going to it directly.

Everything was done by hand, and trying to make friends.  In fact, I'm in Eastern Europe RIGHT NOW, and the reason I want my account re-instated SO badly, is that I've made friends with a ton of …people …and can't reach them outside of MySpace!

Have a heart.  This is killing me!  Without my profile, I can't contact any of these people. I'm sitting, alone, in Krakow, trying to figure out how to contact people on Myspace. I have no idea how!

You are the ONLY one that can help. Honestly, no TOS rules were broken, and this is a REAL profile of me and what I do.

PLEASE HELP!  There has to be something you can do. 

MYSPACE RESPONSE:

Hello,

Unfortunately, once an account/profile has been deleted there is no way to have it restored. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused

Thank you,
MySpace.com

MY RESPONSE:

Do you know why it was deleted? Can you confirm that it was indeed deleted and there isn't some other problem?

MYSPACE REPSONE:

Hello,

We do not keep records of removed profiles or images. If it was removed by MySpace, it was because of a violation of our Terms of Service which can include a number of issue (inappropriate images, spam, cyberbullying, underage use, etc). Please review our terms for further assistance:

http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=misc.terms

Please note that once an account has been deleted, there is no way to reactivate the account or retrieve any of the information associated with the profile.

If this message does not answer your question, please reply to this email directly keeping the subject line and footer information intact.

And that's it, there's been no further response from Myspace, and I've dropped it, and moved on. Still, an interesting set of circumstances.

As people race to social networking sites, be aware of the TOS. For many, this has become a huge social outlet, and for some, a way to market their businesses.   Myspace would certainly not be a good platform for either.

Yet, there are great sites out there for both - what are they? Well, Facebook obviously is the new darling, but there are many others competing for attention. I'll delve into the top 3 in a future post, but Twitter, Stumbleupon, and Yelp all have interesting takes…