I’m down here in Delray Beach, Florida – and don’t feel envious. The weather is crap – though somewhat better than the first time I came this way.
That was quite a few years ago, and I had the terrifying experience of being bang slap in the eye of Hurricane Andrew. This time it’s just grey and miserable.
I’m here to do a speech at the Early-to-Rise event about one secret of success which almost every marketer ignores – and to get an award for spending so many years in this business without going to jail.
So what is this jamboree like? Having been to God knows how many, I can tell you I am no fan of these affairs. But I am impressed.
The whole thing was kicked off yesterday with a two hour talk from Michael Masterson which was really full of commonsense, simple advice. Now I know where I’m going wrong.
At drinks last night I spent much of my time with MaryEllen Tribby, a very clever lady indeed who was CEO of Early-to-Rise until she started http://workingmomsonly.com just a few months ago.
I thought it was such a bright idea I wrote to her when she started saying so – and being efficient, she remembered me doing so.
Today she did a talk with Michael Masterson called Perception versus Reality – an excellent guide to starting a business, which started with wonderful demolition of all the get rich quick rubbish I get every day.
I made a lot of notes – but saw many people took none. Fools.
She listed five things you need to get started – and gave ten tips, which I’m listing below. They are all simple, and widely ignored
- Know something personal about someone you want to deal with
- Be sincere
- Respond to people quickly
- Be on time
- Don’t use your family as an excuse if you’re late (she’s obviously keen on timeliness!) (Great line: “Spot ate Cameron’s homework”
- Be positive
- Do your research about someone’s business if you want to deal with them
- Don’t gossip
- Give more than you get
- Just say no if you can’t do something
I guess I get about 3 out of 10
She also talked about humble-isation. Good advice to people who start to feel arrogant because they’ve had a little success
