The Evolving Internet Marketer

How to (Not) Get Rich!

Tara Kachaturoff, posting at AndyWibbels.com reminded me that one man’s stupid business idea is another’s gateway to that two story colonial on Easy Street in her post on Creative Business Ideas. In it she references a NicheGeek.com blog post on 10 Totally Stupid Online Business Ideas That Made Someone Rich. It reminded me of an idea for running tights that I conceived for a college marketing class years before running tights started showing up in the stores. But my marketing professor panned the idea so I never pursued it only to be bemused and frustrated because, not only did someone else introduce them and make – no doubt – a fortune but I got a stinkin’ C- on my report. (Fred Smith’s idea for FedEx was also panned by his professor; good for him that he didn’t pay attention.)

Point is take a look at the NicheGeeks list and then think about those crazy ideas you’ve had in the middle of the night or when frustrated by one of life’s little stumbling blocks (anyone po’ed like me by top sheets that are always un-tucking themselves – how about ‘Top Pocket® sheets?’; top sheets with a mattress shaped pocket attached to one end … “Never retuck a top sheet again!” Silly idea? Maybe. My wife thinks so anyway but is her opinion standing in the way of my millions?!

Because often that’s the difference between daily drudgery and financial freedom. We don’t have the guts or gumption to pursue our dreams, our crazy ideas, our ‘Spose® – Sport Hose for Athletes’. We let the lack of imagination of friends, colleagues or relatives dampen our own enthusiasm.

So what to do. For starters, reconsider your list of crazy ideas. Or start one to hold all the ideas and opportunities that occur to you. Write ‘em down. Come back to them in a few days or a few weeks, if an idea still resonates then consider what it will take to take them to the next level. And … take … those … steps! What do you have to lose except your negative net worth?

The Life Cycle of a Blog – From Your Brain to Your Keyboard to Infinity

So very cool. Want to know the journey taken by your latest and, no doubt, most brilliant blog posting? Check out The Life Cycle of a Blog Post, From Servers to Spiders to Suits — to You from Wired Magazine…

Joe Sabah has Great Tips for Being a Radio Talk Show Guest

Joe Sabah is an industry icon. Founder of the Colorado Chapter of the National Speakers Association, Joe is a master of getting guest slots on radio talk shows. If you’ve written a book, developed a new product or have a business idea that you think might be of interest to a radio talk show’s audience then a great resource to turn to is Joe Sabah.

Joe is the author of How to Get On Radio Talk Shows All Across America Without Leaving Your Home or Office and has guested on hundreds of radio programs himself using his methods. He recently sent out a list of practical tips to make your radio interview pay off. I thought they were well worth sharing. I might also add that these tips can be easily adopted for podcasters as well…

Top 10 Telephone Tips to Make Your Radio Talk Show Pay Off Handsomely
— a gift from Joe Sabah

1. Have a glass of water handy (room temperature). When your throat is lubricated it’s easier to talk. Plus the water serves as a “cough button” if needed.

2. Stand while speaking. Pretend you’re presenting a seminar. Your voice will carry further. And you’ll sound more animated.

3. Have a copy of their state map on your wall. Refer to cities in the radio station’s surrounding area. This helps make you feel like you are “one of them.” I once made the mistake of referring to South Bend as “South Bend, Indiana.” The host reminded me that I was talking on a radio station in South Bend, Wisconsin. Oops!

4. Listen to their weather and traffic report. This allows you to personalize your presentation. For example: When I was being interviewed on WHIO in Dayton, Ohio I noticed during the breaks they were referring to their metro area as “the Miami Valley.” So it became a natural for me to say “I believe we can help some folks in “the Miami Valley” get their perfect job this afternoon.” What a difference the right words make.

5. Get your listeners involved. For example, before the last commercial break I ask them to get pencil and paper to write down the three tips I guarantee will turn every job interview into a job offer. Then they have pencil and paper ready when I later give out my 800 number.

6. For those who are driving around without writing tools handy, ask your host if the listeners can call the station for the 800 number. As soon as you’re off the air, you call the station’s receptionist and give her or him your 800 number plus the title of your book.

7. Give the host some quotes from your book to use as segues. I offer quotes like: “Are You Singing The Song You Came To Sing?” And “If You Do What You’ve Always Done, You’ll Get What You’ve Always Gotten. Is That Enough?”

8. After the host uses these Inspirational Postcard Quotes on the air, I also offer them to listeners who order my book. Another bonus to increase orders.

9. Always thank both the host and the producer for the good job they are doing. After the show, also send each of them a handwritten note of thanks and an offer “Let’s do it again.”

10. You may also want to record your show by using a device available at most phone center stores, that will record both sides of the interview. Then listen to your show to see how you can improve the next one. Keep on learning.

Thanks Joe for the great tips! (Check out Joe’s website at www.sabahradioshows.com.)