I’m about to share some extremely valuable information related to making more money and gaining more market share in a down economy. It is worth thousands to some, millions to others. Whether you see it as a rescue, revival or re invention – it will quietly revolutionize the way you market and sell. Please grab a pen and paper, and prepare to THINK through this for yourself when you’re done reading.

In every industry there is something called “the MUST buyer.” These are the ideal group to focus on in your niche because they have outside forces beyond their control literally or figuratively “forcing” them to take action… no matter whether the economy is up or down.

Good real estate agents will recognize the MUST buyer immediately. For example, there’s the professional who MUST relocate for a job. The family that MUST relocate due to kids needing to attend school in a particular district. The baby boomers who need a larger home to care for or to move close to an ailing relative. For Real Estate investors; it’s 1031 Exchangers who MUST buy another property within six-months of sale or face getting nailed with deferred taxes.

In health-and-fitness there are people with Diabetes, heart disease, or other ailments who MUST change their diet and exercise habits or die — literally. On the lighter, but no less urgent side, is the bride who MUST fit into that “dream dress” for the “big day.”

In investing there are people who MUST find a new way to invest for higher returns because, like or it or not, their kids are going to college in 3-years. It’s the retired person who MUST change their investment vehicles to protect their wealth. These are people who MUST act now, no matter what the economy is doing.

If you sell travel-related services, jewelry or any other “gift related” product or service there are dates that people MUST adhere to (or face the wrath of their spouse.) For example; there’s the wedding engagement and honeymoon. There’s the 1st, 10th, 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries that MUST be celebrated. Each with an escalating level of investment in both dollars and thought because they happen only once.

In all cases the MUST buyer has less of a concern on cost, and more concern about getting their issue solved right now!

The pregnant question…

No matter what industry, niche or area of expertise you live in; you have MUST buyers waiting for you (or anyone) to speak directly to them. Your competitors are highly unlikely reach out to them. What are you doing to find, woo and wow the MUST buyers in your Tribe?

Yes its going to take more work, more time and maybe even more of an investment to find your MUST buyers. But they are worth a lot more to your bottom line, so you can afford to (and should be willing to,) invest more time/money/effort in identifying them.

So the pregnant question is — who are the MUST buyers in YOUR Tribe? The more precise your answer, the better shot you have at finding, wooing and wowing them. If you’ve invested in the Marketing-for-Life program, be sure to add these to your Loyals Profiles in your Persuasive Selling Platform™.

The great thing about this is your competitors are sure to ignore this strategy; and even if they see you doing it, choose to ignore it because they’re too lazy, ignorant or stuck in the economy of the last 20-years to put in the extra effort copying you. You can choose to live like it’s the fat and sassy years of free-flowing credit and fictitious wealth… or start working by the rules of the New Economy. Which will you choose?

What are your thoughts?

Leave your thoughts in some graffiti down in the comment area below.

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On February 28, 2009 an American icon passed away. He left us with years of his wit and wisdom, but his most important lesson for business owners was hidden behind the veil of the new style of radio program he created.

This sales-boosting and brand-building secret was summed up in one simple statement. And in that statement is all you need to be focused on ALL day, EVERY day to sell and grow your business most effectively.

First… the man behind the wisdom

I’ll share the statement in a moment, but to fully appreciate and apply it you first need to know a little more about the man behind the wisdom.

The man was Paul Harvey, host of the famous “The Rest of the Story” radio show. With the unique format of his radio show, Paul entertained AND sold like none before. He had a strategy and system that perfectly complimented his “folksy” personal brand.

He was known for the catch phrase he used at the beginning of his programs,”Hello Americans, I’m Paul Harvey. You know what the news is, in a minute, you’re going to hear … the rest of the story.” The last item of his broadcast, which was often a funny story, would usually be preceded by “For what it’s worth.” And he always ended, “Paul Harvey … Good day.”

At the time of his death he was arguably the most famous radio personality in America with his show syndicated on over 1,200 stations. And right up until his death he was still doing his show and selling products… and even vaulting unknown brands into national prominence. (Think Bose)

Paul Harvey’s career was not without controversy though. He publicly took strong political positions, advocated for the Vietnam War, and was fiercely critical of political and other public figures.

The strategies

Yes, as you see — Paul Harvey practiced all the elements of Tribal Seduction:

A strategy and system built around his Personal Brand (Persuasive Selling Platform)

• He was transparent letting his persona and personal views shine through without shame (invaluable to gathering a tribe of true Loyals)
• Paul chose (and stuck with) the communication channel that best suited his Persuasive Selling Platform™
• He chose the communication channel that provided the best access to his Tribe (primarily Baby Boomers and older)

The “ONE THING”

But what’s that one statement that encapsulates all you need to be focused on ALL day, EVERY day to market most effectively?

It comes from a passing comment Paul Harvey made to Dan Kennedy backstage at a Peter Lowe event. it is this:

“Selling is simple if it’s proceeded by trust.”

This simple statement defined Paul Harvey’s position with his Tribe. they would buy the bed or radio or vacuum or vitamin or insurance he recommended simply because HE recommended it.

If there is a “secret” to selling, THIS is it. This is the position you must aspire to. To be so trusted that your Tribe will listen to your advice; to buy what you recommend.

What are you working on today?

With the power of Social Media and New Media we all have the power to reach our target audience easier and cheaper than ever before. And with the unfair advantage given to you with the Tribal Seduction Marketing-for-Life Program you have the ability to attract and grow your own Tribe of raving fans (Loyals) who will stick with you (and buy from you) for life!

But at the crux of the Tribal Seduction system is trust. It’s about honesty and congruence with a refined Personal Brand. And THAT is what so few business owners spend time on day-to-day.

So the question is; are you busy spending more time:

• Working on techie tasks in your business?
• Just going through the motions of “networking” because it’s what you’re “supposed” to do (or because “everyone else is doing it”)
• Or working to creating a bond of true trust, focused on building rapport (the precursor to trust)

Most business owners earning 7-figure incomes do it by becoming persons of influence with a specific chosen audience. The selling of an abundant quantity of products or services to produce the desired income is then — as Paul put it — “simple.”

What are your thoughts?

Leave your thoughts in some graffiti down in the comment area below.

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Whether you are marketing online or off-line, marketing with New Media or old media — honesty is critical to your sales success. Denying the facts will get you nowhere. Actually in today’s New Media Marketplace with the unbridled power of Social Media; denial will get you creamed!

So what’s the answer to effectively marketing an imperfect product in an imperfect world?

Watch this quick video and find out. I filmed it myself while driving home in Hawaii so the camera angle is off in some parts — but the topic and tips are so good I decided to publish it and give you a good laugh at the same time as a good profit-boosting strategy.

So there you have it, even in the video you see imperfection is not something you need to hide.

What’s your take?

• Have you ever felt like you had to deny an imperfection in your product or services?
• How do you feel when a Marketplace Molester or List Pimp tries to tell you you’re just imagining things?
• How could you “frame” imperfections in a way that actually grows your Tribe?

Share your thoughts in some graffiti in the comment area down below.

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Brand You!

Brand New You!

Are you ready for a Brand New You in the New Year?

Are you ready to go BIG TIME in ‘09?

When people see or hear your name, what instantly comes to their mind? Do you know? Do your clients know your niche/speciality and how you can help them best? If not – the time is now to get that laser focused message across in a big way for the new year. Who’s with me?

I thought it was easier to share my thoughts via video of a major distinction I made in 2008 that has catapulted me for going Big Time in ‘09. My wish for you is to make similar distinctions so you can go Big Time in ‘09!

I’ve met so many wonderful people this year on Twitter and all the different places I spoke throughout the year, that I wanted to set up something special for the followers/fans/friends who’ve asked me for a private coaching session to help them with their brand, their business and their goals.

Since I’m in the giving spirit – you get to take advantage of crazy low private coaching rates and grab them now before the New Year is up, and before the clock strikes midnight. I’m looking to Coach 12 phenomenal business women and a few good men who know 2009 is his/her year. If that’s you – you’ll especially love this video and this post, because you get the opportunity to lock up a consulting session (or two) at crazy holiday rates. (Yes, I’ll honor this special for current private coaching clients as well – since it’s a limited offer and time for these sessions.)

Normally I don’t do single 30-minute coaching sessions, but I’m in the holiday spirit, and wanted to give my followers what they’ve been asking for. So – you’ll find a quickie coaching session is available as an option along with a special 60 minute session rate, if you want to go long. I even included a special “6-pack” if you’re a heavy “success drinker“.

Grab these New Year Coaching specials now – before JP Micek discovers what I’ve done, and takes this post down!

NOTE: I can only meet with about 5-7 people from here to the new year, but you can still lock in the rate today, and then Deborah Carraro (our new business manager) will schedule your session for mid-late January – depending on when your order comes in. Just call her up after you’ve grabbed what you need using the links below and she’ll call you back when she’s in the office in the order the calls and orders are received.

Office line: (415) 723-9715

Deborah Micek is a co-founder of the international business coaching company RPM Success Group ® Inc. She and her partner John Paul are authors of the hit book Secrets Of Online Persuasion. They are creators of the ONLY Web site system to put New Media to work marketing FOR you — BLOG i360™. Also known as “The Twitter Queen” she co-authored the first published book on Twitter, available now in bookstores everywhere: “Twitter Revolution” Grab your copy now on Amazon and get the edge on the hottest social network!

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Yesterday @TerryBean asked a question via twitter that many entrepreneurs worry themselves sick over (and thereby hamstring their success), not just on Twitter, but on many Social and New Media Marketing channels.

Terry asked; “Do you worry about losing followers? If so do you think you lose them from not tweeting enough or tweeting too much?”

My multi-Tweet reply addressed a core issue WAY more important than too few or too many updates. I answered Terry:

• Msg 1 “If your not strong enough to turn some people off, you’ll NEVER be strong enough to attract a Tribe of true Loyals (cont)”

• Msg 2 “You need to establish your Persuasive Selling Platform – then stand boldly on it. Too many/few Tweets is least of concerns. ”

My first statement there got picked up and used by Ken Burbary in a post yesterday discussing unfollow tools and their impact: “Twitter: Unfollow me, it’s not personal.” Ken correctly touches on the fact that Twitter has a “culture.” But that point has much larger ramifications to the way you do business. In fact; emotions and interactions tangled up in “culture” is the entire basis for Tribal Marketing.

Unfollows will never hurt you, but beating yourself with sticks will break your business bones

“Twitter culture” is no different than any other human interaction, online in New Media or off-line face-to-face. People with jobs dabbling in Social and New Media to gain friends and “converse” can afford to get sucked into a never-ending downward spiral of narcissistic analysis.

But for entrepreneurs, marketers and business owners; analysis of this type without a benchmark or platform against which to judge reactions creates a self-imposed profit killing death sentence.

Contrary to what you’ve heard? Not surprising when most Social Media “experts are corporate refugees with a worker mindset, brainwashed to “get along” at all costs.

Here’s the danger in that “careful not to offend anyone” approach…

If business people begin altering their behavior, words and statements to avoid “unfollow sting”, the ramifications are no different than trying to fit into a high-school clique. Even if the group accepts you, you will always be the outsider… the poser. NOT a good position for an entrepreneur who is (or should be) looking to be seen as a knowledgeable leader.

To attract and retain a Tribe of raving fans (Loyals) means taking strong positions. The stronger your positions, the stronger the bond between you and your Tribe… and among the Tribe members themselves. It’s human nature that the mundane and the luke-warm are either ignored or spit out.

Only in politics every two years do “moderates” get any attention. And when we look at their actual numbers (average only 2% of voters via Battleground Poll for the last 10 years) — we see the fact that the vast majority of people DO have opinions. They just may not have the kahonas to state those thoughts.

The entrepreneurs and business people who take strong stands in their niche or industry, who make bold pronouncements for the benefit of their Tribe — they will get the respect, loyalty and patronage that people are waiting to shower on a true leader.

The question is not “too many or too few Tweets.” It is “do you know your Tribe?”

YOUR Tribe, YOUR Loyals — they are ALL that matter!

If you don’t know your Persuasive Selling Platform well enough to know what may have turned someone off, (and to know that, in many cases that unfollow is a good thing) — then any “tool” like Qwitter http://useqwitter.com/ that lets you know what words triggered an unfollow will only serve to further shake your confidence and throw you off track.

If you have your Loyals Profiles and Tribal Factor firmly established as two of the four foundation stones of your Persuasive Selling Platform, the ability to keep your focus allows you to be in total control of your emotions.

That control for you can mean ignoring, or even celebrating unfollows as you continue on a profitable path of New Media Marketing. But YOU are in control… not some tool or technology.

What’s your take?

• How do unfollows on Twitter or friend drop-offs on FaceBook or MySpace impact you?
• Do you just ignore those unfollows, or do you revel in the fact they’ve occurred?
• How do you know when an unfollow is a good thing vs. a “learning opportunity”?

Leave your thoughts in some graffiti down in the comment area below.

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