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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 …

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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

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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.

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No, it’s not that easy, but this video from Yanik Silver can be found over at his blog Internet Lifestyle. This is exactly what I was talking about yesterday. This is some difficult stuff, but I think you can handle it.

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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Ok, so many of you smart people are joing me this weekend in Los Angeles for the Undergoud Seminar (Congratulations, we’re all going out to an amazing meal together), but many of you are not!

As I mentioned, this is THE event to be at if you’re interested in making money from home, or learning more about internet marketing, business and entrepeneurship (is that a word), and I just found out, some of the event is going to be streamed live, for free. Yes, my $2500+ event is going to be streamed live.  Interested in seeing it?

Here’s your link to the free coverage:

Underground Spy Footage

They’ll be broadcasting 24 minutes each day from the event totally LIVE. (12 minutes per time - 2x/day). Plus, have real-time updates from actual attendees of what they record outside the seminar room (essentially the sights & sounds of the Underground). I

No, I don’t plan to be on tape!  I’m not in this for fame, but I love to learn, and be around other like minded and motivated, successful people. So, if you didn’t join me in LA, here’s your chance to see what I’m doing, and how it all plays out.

Underground Spy Footage

Yes, I’ll also give you my unfiltered thoughts of this years event (whcih I’ve attended now, twice, before).  On a related note, I just did my taxes, and oh-my. That is an unpleasant task! Not because I have so many businesses, or so many transactions (which, yes, I do), but because, it’s amazing to see just how much freakin’ money I made last year!  Whoa.  That’s not brag, that is honest to god amazement at the fact that you can make so much money, working from home, and doing what you love.  It’s crazy!

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If you still haven’t signed up for the Underground Online Seminar® 4 - this is your last chance. I just found out there are only 29 seats left! (There might even be less by now.)

What’s even more important is this Friday, February 29th - you’ll have to pay full boat and the extra bonuses go away!

The Underground 4 is just about to SELL-OUT again (like it hasbeen every year). And if you want in - you need to go here right away:

INTERNET MARKETING SEMINAR!

The actual event is March 28-30, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA and there’s no time to waste..

Hope to see ya’ll there, and let me know if you’re going.

That being said, I just purchased yet another high profile course (doh), this time from Mark Joyner. Nope, not about Internet Marketing at all, but about becoming an author and selling books. Not sure how the course will be, but I’ve learned one thing - always get help from smart people.  Simple as that.

This person knows the industry, does SHORT courses that have no fluff, and doesn’t beat around the bush (too much). We’ll see if I can stand it.  Nope, no link, just check out simpleology.com to learn more.

Now, back to book writing for me, but not before I briefly mention my return of the John Reese course! Since i’ll likely buy everything he ever comes out with, people might be interested in why I returned his 3 day teleseminar course in February. First off, he’s a class act, and a real business, and there was no problem in the return. Second, it was actually good information, and I may have gotten something out of the full 3 days, however, after one day…I hadn’t. Nope, not a single thing. This is likely because a) I’m a know it all (that’s a joke people), b) I am terribly advanced at this stuff, having been successful online for many years, c) the large # of people in the course were not at my level, d) John was trying to cover ground to make up for C. 

No harm done, but I simply can’t afford three days, even at 3-4 hours a day. It’s too difficult.  The older I get, the more i make, the less time I can afford. Strange how that works, eh?

What can you afford?

Honestly, what can you afford? When I ran a video game company, my then boss (name withheld) explained to me his time was worth $5000 an hour. His reasoning, if he spent 5k an hour from now, for the rest of his life, he’d still have too much money. Fair enough, he was quite, quite rich (don’t do the math, you’ll figure out my boss). However, I’ve always remember that line. His argument being, if he could "afford" to be here, then we all should be able to as well. ;)  I was bored as hell at that meeting.

Anyway, I recently asked myself about the worth of my time, and apart from the impressively simple (doh!) algorhythm above, which will only apply to a handful of people (and is not useful), I used opportunity cost, lifespan, and averaged in, intelligence and things I like to do. I came to the realization, as likely you will, that your time is invaluable. Should you spend it watching TV or reading this blog, with family or friends or simply working on your business, it’s a limited asset. It’s also an asset that you should put a numeric value on, however you decide to reach it. My time is worth $500 an hour. 

This is what I charge for it. How about you? What do you charge. Remember to prove it to yourself, meaning, would you pay $499, to get that hour of yours back (i.e. whatever you think your hour is worth working, - $1).  I do SO many tasks that I should outsource, especially given how I value my time.

Why ask? Because, if you value your time above, say, even $10 an hour, you should be outsourcing a lot of stuff to free up your time. When you buy a course, the cost of the course is NOT the true cost. The cost of your time will likely outweight it many times (at least for some of you). For those of you where time feels unlimited, congratulations. I guarantee you this. Once the MarketingCrazy books come out, and you start realizing the true value of your time (because you’ll have experience real work, and the real freedom that true residual income provides), you’ll likely value it far more.

Anyway, this post cost someone $200, so back to work on this end.