Gurus Endorsing One Another’s Products

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by JimmyKrug

Some of the most talented people I know are also the most frustrated and make the least amount of money. If you fit that category, consider this – “You have too many options.” I’m currently working with a guy who played in the 80’s band TOTO. He’s from Cleveland, Ohio. He played Keyboards in the studio for them and was with them when they were making their big comeback in the 80’s, playing the Hollywood Bowl and other places. He was going to be their new keyboard player. Then the drummer died, the whole thing blew up, and he went on to write songs and design movie sets for movies like Stallone’s forgettable flick – “Over the Top.”

He has more talent than any one single person I’ve ever met in my life. He has so many good ideas… but none of them are making any real money because every time one thing gets started, something else distracts him and dilutes his efforts (like Twitter may for some of you guys). He bounces from one idea to the next.
Here’s a video link of him playing around on the keyboards. I didn’t tell him I put this on YouTube yet because I was just testing the video camera out and was learning how to use it. (http://www.mynationalpublicity.com/gary)

Hi Jimmy,

Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience!

I also own a lot of your products... They're consistently GREAT! And I highly recommend them to everyone...

It's funny, since what you wrote here "meshes" with something I just read elsewhere...

John Carlton (a well-known and successful copywriter) writes on his blog...

Part of the reason it took me so long to get my act together (I was 34 before I got serious about becoming a professional copywriter) is that I have multiple talents above mediocre levels, and pursuing them kept me distracted. I wrote my first novel in the sixth grade. (It was horrible, but a real story with plot, character development, and coherent ending.) By high school, my cartooning was so good I was forcibly given a weekly cartoon strip in the school newspaper (which lasted for two years). I was shy, and actually resented the celebrity that brought. Then the same thing happened in college, and for 2 years I was the staff cartoonist for the school daily. It was hard work. I also played guitar well enough to carry a band, and I’ve been writing pretty damned good pop songs since I was 17. I also played baseball deep into my teens, and thought I wanted to be a jock. (Really bad idea for a guy with my poor eyesight.) I’d be broke today if I had followed any of those professions. I miss cartooning, though.

That seems to agree with what you said, about...

Some of the most talented people I know are also the most frustrated and make the least amount of money. If you fit that category, consider this – “You have too many options.”

Too many options can sometimes be a problem, because it can cause you to lose focus...

Thanks again, Jimmy. I really appreciate your insights!

(And thanks for the kind words too!)

Best wishes,

Dien

Boy, can I relate to those posts! Describes me to a 'T'....everyone wants something from my multiple talents so I have no time to develop any one of them to a maximally profitable point. Frustrating isn't the word for it. I've been trying to learn to say 'No' more often but it doesn't help much. Any other tips?

Thanks for the refresher insight...I needed it about now.

Sandi Bowman

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by Sandi Bowman

Boy, can I relate to those posts! Describes me to a 'T'....everyone wants something from my multiple talents so I have no time to develop any one of them to a maximally profitable point. Frustrating isn't the word for it. I've been trying to learn to say 'No' more often but it doesn't help much. Any other tips?

Thanks for the refresher insight...I needed it about now.

Hi Sandi,

I think on the "plus" side, you can always do "something" to bring some income in... If talent "A" doesn't work, try talent "B". So I think there's a "plus" and a "minus" side to it...

The problem with being good at just one thing is that the "market" for that talent could disappear...

Best wishes

Dien

Thanks for the 'other side of the story', Dien. You're definitely right on that. Certainly been true for me.

Being multi-talented can be a blessing...especially when times are hard and you have to be resourceful. Those out of work should consider doing freelance work in something they are knowledgeable about and have some skills in that might pay the freight temporarily. It doesn't have to be in your regular line of work...it can even be a hobby or interest of yours. If it's feasible and there is some demand for it ordinarily, you can probably find some freelance work.

A lot of businesses that normally would have positions filled by full-timers, are desperate for part-time, temporary, or freelance help to keep things rolling during bad times.

Sandi Bowman

Here's a book title that cashes in on that idea...

www.AreYouDumbEnoughToBeRich.com

-- TW