Last week I attended BigSeminar 13 in Las Vegas. Boasting a lineup of 11 big name millionaire internet marketing personalities, the potential of this meet was self-evident. Speaking for an average 90 minutes each over 3 days in total, a wide range of internet marketing tools and techniques was covered as each guru addressed the specifics of his – that’s right, sadly there were no women speakers – chosen speciality.
Unfortunately, for attendees to really get in on each expert’s choicest tools, secrets and coaching programs would take an added commitment costing upwards of $1500 for each speaker’s products. This time around, my financials were already too overstretched to respond to the hard sell messages permeating each presentation. Perhaps I was being naive in attending a pitchfest of this nature at all, thinking I could come away with sufficient FREE information to take my online business to the next level. Well, despite a self-imposed spending moratorium, I was determined enough to give it a darned good try.
“So who’s this author?” you ask. And how did he get to enter my “contest”? Well, wanting to obtain something to read on my (all-up) 26 hour journey back to Brisbane, Australia, I browsed the meagre range of business/self-help offerings at one of McCarran Airport’s bookstores and settled on, drumroll …
Gary Vaynerchuk’s meteoric rise to Internet stardom derives from his combining an intimate knowledge of everything to do with wines, with his choice of social media platform to evangelize that expertise and create a huge following of raving fans: videoblogging at Wine Library TV. But Much more important, in my view, is Gary’s infectious ability to inspire people the world over. He is also not afraid to voice his opinions no matter what the so-called prevailing wisdom.
Hence you see why I was attracted to Crush It! I’d recently watched a video of a keynote presentation Gary had given in which he challenged the audience to break away from the norm if at all possible. For example, he’s a champion of FREE. If he had his way, meaning that if they shared his vision and passion, all 11 speakers at BigSeminar would be compelled to give away a large proportion of the material in their high end programs. Period.
So what’s Gary’s message done for me already? Easy – he’s inspired me to put myself out there in the public arena more frequently and formulate a plan to differentiate myself and my message so that people will gladly come back for more.
Gary Vaynerchuk is huge on the importance of establishing a personal brand. Taking him literally, because I agree with the business principles he teaches and upholds, I’ve already named myself “The No BS Internet Guy”. In so doing, I realize I might ruffle a few feathers now and then.
No matter what we think of ourselves, our online reputations stand or fall on the judgement of our audience. I want to be known for my honesty and I’m not afraid to expose questionable practices in the interest of enhancing the quality of everyone’s online experience.
You will find that for many of the people and products I discuss and promote on my sites there will be affiliate links, meaning that I derive some financial benefit if you click my links and then purchase. Gary’s book link above to Amazon is one such example. But it’s up to you – it’s perfectly fine for you to go to your local bookstore too, of course. My main purpose is to share insights and information that has helped me, in the hope you too may benefit.
Next stop for me is The League of Extraordinary Minds webcast, starting in 5 minutes! Gary V happens to be one of the expert panelists. Click the link and you can catch the same webcast at 8pm your time on November 12.
