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Undergroud Online Seminar’s Final Day: All good things must end, and so ends the Underground Online Seminar 2010, better known as UG 6.  Like all conferences I attend, this coference’s greatest asset to me, was for 4 days, I worked. Every day, I had my computer(s) with me at the conference. Every day, I was thinking about my business, and doing things (being active) while the talkers talked. This fact alone - getting me to actually “work” for several days in a row, is amazingly worthwhile.

Try as I might not too, there’s very little chance that I won’t make serious money due directly to attending this conference. Darn it … I’ll probably have to work now too.

This conference, like prior conferences, continues to confirm that there is no one (or very few) whom work as little as I do, and have such a stellar quality of life and income. It’s a mantra preached by everyone, yet practiced by few. Yes, there’s a lot of people doing well here, but they are certainly working quite hard for it. I don’t mean to imply I never work. I do. And when I do, it’s pretty hard. Yes, I work as well, but not nearly as hard as most, for significantly more gain. I think people often lose sight that the greatest benefit of this internet lifestyle is the freedom that it provides, and a distant second is the income.

I suppose, from the outside, it might appear that I’m not networking enough and not meeting enough people, or engaging enough (and, that’s undeniably true). I consider this, in large part, a failing. It’s strange, earlier in life it was a challenge for my shy personality to break through. I relished pushing my boundaries. Nowadays, perhaps I’m simply too lazy - and the driving force of meeting new people has really been tempered by me valuing my time SO MUCH. So, perhaps, I don’t meet as many people, or get engaged in the conference enough.  I do try to engage the people whom talk to me, and always introduce myself to those around me.  I didn’t say anything to Yanik this time, but if he read’s this, Thank you - I had fun.

However, the real benefit for me, in these conferences, is the fact that I actually DO work the four days that I am here. I’m constantly online, and constantly engaged, for the whole four days of the conference. Regardless of the speakers, the contents, and what’s going on around me, this alone is worth the price of admission.

That’s not to say that the speakers were not great. In fact, at this year’s event, I think overall, we had the best number of extremely good speakers. Underground Online Seminar 6 did rock. Yes, there were some “misses”, and at one point, I did fall asleep face down on my laptop drooling, but by and large I was very impressed with the overall level of presenters.

As always, I would not recommend this conference for beginners. The level of speaking, and the topics covered, for the most part, is valuable to high six or seven figure businesses. A newbie would get very little here, and perhaps get discouraged.

Things I accomplished at Underground Online Seminar 6? Well, I bought an Ipad (and perhaps, was the only one at the conference to get one, based on the lack of responses to my tweet). I got the top of the line one, because I love the idea of always being connected. It surprises me that, in this day and age, people don’t have a wireless anywhere card (for $40 a month - or whatever it is). Most notebooks have them built in, and it’s truly a life changer (and money saver) for the internet entrepreneur. It was a game changer 6 years ago, it was a necessity almost immediately - and little has changed. I require them for conference attending.

I heavily tested social marketing and web 2.0 services, and tried to use my twitter, facebook, foursquare, hootsuite, and other tools fully and completely. After doing this for a week, I am renewed in my belief that web 2.0 and social web marketing is a complete and total time sink, and while fun, is not a good use of the internet entrepeneur’s time. Of course, you’re mileage may vary, and this is very dependent on your niche(s). Shoemoney stated that he got 30 percent of his recent sales via twitter.  That’s … interesting, but not applicable to the public at large. I will NOT be returning to my Hootsuite account, and agree with John Reese that it’s a total and complete waste of time, with limited ROI in limited niches.

A word about having your PC with you at conferences and seminars. I believe in instant application. If I get an idea, or hear a proposal, I don’t wait to implement it. I do it right away. If I hear a website on stage, I go there. If there’s a tip or product to mention, I research, and/or buy it, on the spot. If a speaker comes up to stage, I can do instant research on them. If you attend conferences, you must have a notebook and a connection.  The successful internet entrepreneur has to be a do’er. The faster, in this day and age, the better. I don’t wait to apply what I’ve learned … I do it right then and there.  As I’ve said before, the only reason I got into this was because at my very first conference, I enacted changes to my website at night, and got to see the effect and changes on the very next day - all at the conference.  After that, I was sold …

And finally, I got to stay at a very cool new hotel. I’ll be doing an event here later this year in one of my niches, and wow. This place is great. It’s huge. It’s stunning, and it’s fairly nice. It’s almost “normal”. Let me explain. I’m not a fan of DC. I can’t find good food here (I’m a foodie), and overall, I find the city rundown and fairly crime ridden. It’s a shame, but I don’t like to come here, because it’s simply not nice. I’d rather go to Bethesda. That being said, this new hotel area is “almost” what I’d consider nice, and this hotel is the best service I have ever received in Washington DC.   Still can’t get a good meal, but I can at least get a good nights sleep.  Just saying …

I listened to exceptional speakers, and rarely felt sold. Yes, I paid, in advance for Underground Online Seminar 7, or UG7. I’ll be there. Will you?

Late Breaking Update: The security line at the airport was stupidly long, and completely inept, which is how I would, unfortunately, rate most of the city. I’ve lived here twice in my life, while working various jobs, and … Jeez, I’m just not a fan. Hate being negative, but that line … argh …

Facebook Fan Page:

MC (MarketingCrazy)

PRIOR POSTS ABOUT UG Part 2: http://bit.ly/9O3dGw

PRIOR POSTS ABOUT UG Part 1: http://bit.ly/bOcYwR

FLIGHT AND PRE DAY: http://bit.ly/aa5NvU

Report from last year: http://www.marketingcrazy.com/blog/2008/03/

PPS - Yes, I know my blog is not up to snuff, and I don’t have links to Facebook or twitter. In addition, this site, after years online, isnt’ close to being ready to launch.  All links are dead on the main page, and all the content is placeholder. That being said, I have a feeling, this year is the year. Perhaps writing it down will force some form of accountability. We can hope … Until that time, best way to reach me is via email, info@MarketingCrazy.com

Unbelievable! I am two days into the Underground Online Seminar, and I’m on a major high. I mean, the first two speakers were knock it out of the park good. Really exceptional …

First up was Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva.org, and she was simply exceptional. Funny, bright, and exceptionally open and honest, her presentation got me so interested in visiting the site, and social responsibility. She had an infectious passion that really spread through the audience. She also answered the largest number of questions of any speakers yet.

A hard act to follow? Yes. She was. However …

Next was Vishen Lakhiani, and this guy was completely the opposite, at least in presentation. A hard driving internet entrepreneur, moving his company to Malaysia, and absolutely killing it online.  I mean, simply amazing stuff, and a great presentation where he shared real specific about his business, and how he is pulling off his simply stellar results. Wow! He was all over the place, and covered so much, but it was amazingly pure gold. Huge … Simply huge!  Very excited about this presentation … it really was quite good.  An amazing morning …

There’s some more great sessions today … Three in all. I’m pumped (but tired…), will have to workout during lunch!

No one does it like Yanik. The Underground Online Seminar is underway … Yes, I’m incredibly bummed not to be at SXSW, but no doubt, I’ve made a great choice.

From the opening theme that plays, to the sold out crowd, this event is the only event I go to that really has delivered the goods for several years in a row. It’s the only event that I continue to go to, even though I will be trying to attend several others this year (broaden my horizons, as it were). The speakers here, mostly not of the “not-professional speaker variety”, are really excellent .  While it’s very rare that I might learn something I didn’t already know, it’s always mind expanding, and they force me to think! The first speaker is all about  … subconscious training!

Sounds crazy I know, but in truth, your mind, and your outlook, directly determine your success, far more than any other single factor. You simply won’t succeed if you don’t have the right mindset, nor will you break through earnings and growth plateaus without addressing the need for changing the way you think about things.

But for me, it’s more about inspiration, honestly. I simply want to get inspired, feel the passion, and be ready to work when I get home.  I had to sign a non disclosure to get in here, so I can’t really pass on any tidbit of knowledge I might uncover.

My word of the day. Simplification! I need to simplify my life … from uncluttering my inbox, and unsubscribing to many newsletters, to focussing on fewer projects, and doing “less”. Yesterday, Neil Patel spoke about being cheap (in an hysterically funny and self deprecating way), and I am so much the opposite. I’m a spender on the not-so-important things, and I need to get it under control.  I’ll perhaps ponder that at the Mandarin Oriental in Vegas next month…

Ha - ok, after that perhaps, I’ll really try to reign it in. I don’t think I’ll ever become “cheap”. I lack that gene. I give away everything I have to friends and family. I can’t help it. It’s part of me. I pay for dinners. Can’t help it. My dad infused me with that. I buy friends and families presents. Can’t help it, family taught me to. I overdo everything. I give away absurd amounts to charity. Perhaps enough is enough?  It certainly bears further personal investigation.

Yes, I bought an IPad. I feel the need to make this my very next paragraph after talking about simplification. I own a lot of digital gadgets. I have a thinkpad, an apple, two PCs, a blackberry, droid and iphone, kindle, flip, kodak zi8, etc … I tend to buy all the latest gadgets. I don’t see that changing anytime soon. I really like these “toys”, but there’s no doubt they complicate my life. My tech gadget lust won’t change, but I do see these five things changing in my search for simplification:

1) Less Email, Less Gmail Checking. Specifically, not check my email first thing in the morning until after exercise and breakfast. A tough thing for a basement empire owner, such as myself, to accomplish.

2) One big Task prior to Email checking. Yes, I have to accomplish just ONE single thing, prior to checking my email. That “thing” should be long term money making. Specifically, additional money. A new JV, a new distributor, something “new”.

3) More face to face, less emails, texts, and anything that doesn’t end with a handshake. I know, it’s the antithesis of the way I’ve done business for years, and I’ve done quite well without it, but this is more of a social goal to future happiness. I want to meet like-minded people, in a world where everyone is becoming more isolated (myself included).  We’ll see if this works …

4) Yes, Content. Get back to what I love, creating content. Yes, Marketing is important, but I want to create some new, amazing, stuff. What stuff? Well, that’s coming …

5) To Do List the night before. Keep an ongoing to do list, that syncs to my mobile devices and that I can sort by specific categories.  In addition, it syncs to my Google Calendar.

My vision phrase - I’m happy, positive, healthy, fulfilled, and I change people’s lives for the better all over the world. Yeh, I know, needs a little work. Perhaps a bit too wordy …

And, last but not least, Gary Vaynerchuck (sp?) is absolutely amazing, and a great speaker. I have never seen his show, but I now know why it’s so successful. He’s really absolutely amazing. What an experience - last year, Tony Hsieh, and this year, Gary Vaynerchuck. Polar opposites in many ways (demeanor), but also similar in many key ways, these keynotes were truly spectacular.

Whew, I made it! And it’s simply no fun to take a red eye flight from SFO, let me tell you. But, like most time’s I leave for a convention, there was an immediate surge of productivity (even on the plane ride here).

First off, new versions of tweetdeck, hootsuite, and socialoomph are installed on my laptop(s), and my iphone, and blackberry where possible. I’m not big into social media (as I’ve told you previously, it’s a case of ROI), but I really threw myself into it for this week, to see what results may happen (if any). The Underground online seminar twitter feed hastag is #UG6, and my username is … MarketingCrazy.

This is the pre-day, but my head is already swimming with ideas. I wasn’t too psyched about this year’s pre-day, since it’s geared towards younger entrepreneurs, and I’m very, very, old (ok, so not THAT old. So far, I’m enjoying it far more than I thought I would, and even though there’s NOT a lot of meat (if any) in the presentations, there’s a ton of inspiration and stories that are truly motivating. It’s a pre-day … I came for the random piece of info, and so far, I’m very happy I did.

This hotel is great! It’s in a part of DC I have never been to, and I love the location and the rooms, and all the free perks (including pay once coffee - free refills all day!).  Expect me to be very wired …

My conference travel pack now consists of a: Macbook Pro 13′, a Thinkpad Edge (Red/AMD), my iphone, my crackberry, my flip camera and that’s it (isn’t that enough?). Shortly, I’ll be adding the Ipad to my road warrior arsenal as well as the latest Thinkpad X301 series when released.

Things are happening … If you’re here, direct message me at #MarketingCrazy on Twitter, or email to MarketingCrazy@gmail.com …

Ok, I had to share this! Hot on the heels of my post, Yanik Silver sends out an email blowing the lid off of what’s really going on at many supposed internet marketing conferences. Ok, so maybe not blowing the lid, as almost everyone knows this … but MAYBE you didn’t.

He says it better than me, so I’m going to reprint his email here (and put in my affiliate links to go to the seminar), but I really hope you listen. It’s so disheartening to see so many people go to seminars where the sold goal (aptly executed) is to get you to have an emotional buying response (over-riding your common sense), spend a lot of money at each speaker’s “presentation”, and leave (often) in more dire circumstances than when you came.

Here’s the scoop, direct from my email, to your ears and eyes (care of Yanik Silver’s hand):

Good morning Agent Evan:

I’m about to reveal confidential and privileged information that you probably won’t hear from anyone else (and I know some people definitely won’t like the fact I’m breathing a single word about this).

You see, I’ve been on the inside of a lot of seminars as a guest speaker and know
exactly how the ‘game’ works.

Here’s the deal: The host will invite a bunch of people to speak at their conference with two considerations in mind. #1 - How large their list is to promote the event and #2 - How well they can sell product at the back of the room.

For the most part (with very few exceptions) it’s true and here’s the other dirty secret…

Most speakers are not paid one thin dime to show up at these events. They have to pay their own pay for travel, hotel and meals. So before they even step foot on stage they are hundreds if not thousands in the hole. That means the only way for them to get compensated for showing up is to sell, sell, sell! Usually this translates to the fact they *have* to spend lots of time pitching their products and services. Really hammering the audience getting them to buy. Essentially their presentation is a thinly veiled commercial.

Why am I telling you all of this?

To show you yet another reason the Underground® seminar is different. I’m paying for the speakers to be there. I’m picking up the tab on their airfare, hotel and taking them out to some awesome dinners. They’re not there to sell you their products or services. (In fact, many of them have nothing to sell.)

Plus, I didn’t pick my speakers for their ability to fill the room. Many of them couldn’t
sell one ticket because their lists could give a flying fig about Internet marketing. I chose them strictly for the content they’d deliver to you for their real-world ventures.

—

http://www.UGOSeminar.com

—

Actually I’m so serious about delivering immediately useful content here - that I’m even putting up $10k of my own money. You get to vote for the speaker who gave you the most directly impactful information you can take straight to the bank. The winner is going to be awarded ‘Top Underground Marketer’ and they get a huge plaque. Plus they get a $10,000.00 check that goes to their favorite charity. (THEY sure don’t need the money!)

Now I can tell you one thing for sure - most of these guys and gals are super competitive. That means, they are going to go all out trying to outdo one another vying for “the crown” while you sit back and soak it all in.

Remember this event is not bringing in the same usual ”suspects”. I’ve managed to
uncover a secretive group of real-people making real money online *NOT* selling “how to make money online” info.

These ‘under-the-radar’ successes don’t advertise their accomplishments because they don’t need to nor want to. They are quite content to make their money “in the dark”  (while keeping their mouths shut and their secrets very close to the vest).

Look, it only takes one good idea to make this worth it for you. Don’t you think from a group of people selling $30 million online, all the incredible attendees and VIP guests you might pick up one or two new ideas?

My Internet buddies attending are coming here to learn NOT to socialize in the back-of-the-room like at typical seminars. And you can bet I’ll be taking tons of notes too.

http://www.UGOSeminar.com

February 3, 2010:

This is huge because you’ll save a full $1000.00 before the price increase but more
importantly the biggest bonus of all will vanish if you miss this deadline… When you sign http://www.UGOSeminar.com

Hopefully - I’ll see you there!

And that’s what he wrote me, and like he, I hope I see ya’ there….