The Secret Path Discussion.

[GordonJ]

Guru, wizard...teacher, sensei, master, instructor, professor...Ph.D., Masters, expert...etc., etc.

All just words. They CAN be an instant authority figure, and in business, that is what we seek out.

The experts. Krug chose Wizard and Guru. Just as I chose CULT when I could have used CLUB, in my ancient work; How To Start a Cult for Fun and Profit.

Pert near the same steps, except with Cults gurus first, then followers, and with clubs, maybe an election for leaders??

My point, and the reason I started a thread about SECRET PATH, isn't because it is some great work, although I think it is very good digital product...but it stimulates thinking.

It gives us pause, to ask ourselves how our PROSPECTS see us in the marketplace, and how do customers see us differently from prospects.

When we align our marketing with THEIR minds, and having an avatar can give one INSTANT, and relatable expertise in their minds.

So, several people have just gotten Secret Path, and I would like to expand on it, using it as a baseline for image, avatar, personna...what we put out to the marketplace and how can (maybe) make it more effective by choosing a well crafted, albeit true to self, IMAGE that takes one a long way toward a sale, maybe, it is the tipping point.

I see many Ph.D. types using that as their "wizard/guru" image, which Dien may do when consulting, but we seldom see it here...I think many new members have no idea.

But, Dien, being all ADD and that, wears many hats and each one could be that of a Wizard, a Guru, or pick from any number of authority figure words...

simply choose the one which bests suits the market you are selling to.

Gordon

Originally Posted by Dien Rice

Hi Gordon,

I dug up my copy of "The Secret Path" which I hadn't looked at for a while...

First, I've always enjoyed Jimmy Krug's stuff. I bought reprint rights and used several of his reports as bonuses in the past...

The principles at the end are good too...

It's definitely good to be a "wizard" or "guru"... I ought to try it some day...

Best wishes,

Dien

[GordonJ]

Ok, Dien, feel free to join in...but this conversation is intended to show our audience how they probably are a wizard/guru of some sort already...and we can help them refine their images.

So, Dien, how long have you been writing digital newsletters?

A. A long time (fill in the exact number if you want Dien).

How many digital newsletters have you done, I get at least two.

A. Several.

Dien, who do you know that has been publishing digital newsletters longer than you?

A. A few, but not many.

So, my conclusion with this imaginary convo is...Dien Rice is an expert on writing digital newsletters which either make him money, gives him names to add to his lists, or to simply share his expertise with the people,

Now, if I saw a course on writing digital newsletters, and you can simply google it to see the thousands out there...

And having done very little, but some, research...I haven't found anyone selling digital newsletter courses who ACTUALLY have the experience Dien does.

So, he is the digital newsletter wizard, eh> or guru> or I'd bet you a cookie he has more hands on doing experience than 95% of those selling courses on digital newsletter publishing.

SEE? I hope my point is made. Be it magic, NLP, physics, crystal skulls, tensor rings...we have members here today...

ALL of the WIZARD/GURU status with their experiences, but they struggle to find ways to let the public know, and profit from their expertise...and one shortcut fasttrack way might be by honing an Avatar which your market can relate to instantly.

Gordon

[Dien Rice]

Hi Gordon,

You sparked an interesting thought...

Often, by claiming something and repeating it often enough, many people will accept and believe it...

For example, Gary Halbert multiple times (in his newsletter) called himself "The World's Greatest Copywriter."

In fact, he referred to himself as that (and other superlative nicknames) in a sales letter he wrote... coming from Joe Polish!

Such as...

"For a number of years now, I've been a subscriber to another newsletter writer. I'm not quite ready to divulge his name but he has numerous nicknames like... the 'Prince of Print'... 'Ace of Space'... 'Marketing Guru'... and... 'The World's Greatest Copywriter'."

From https://www.thegaryhalbertletter.com...ss_writing.htm

Now, you gotta back it up somehow... One of Gary Halbert's main claims to fame was his "coat of arms" letter, which he said he believed was "the most widely mailed letter in history" (from here).

However, a big claim, with some "backup" and repetition (and even putting it in other people's mouths - as Gary Halbert put it in Joe Polish's "mouth" in a sales letter he wrote for him!) - can mean your "big guru" claims can stick!

Hmm... Interesting train of thought there, if I do say so myself...

Best wishes,

Dien

P.S. Gordon, did you know that this is the longest-still-running online small business discussion forum in history? I think it's true...

Originally Posted by GordonJ

Ok, Dien, feel free to join in...but this conversation is intended to show our audience how they probably are a wizard/guru of some sort already...and we can help them refine their images.

So, Dien, how long have you been writing digital newsletters?

A. A long time (fill in the exact number if you want Dien).

How many digital newsletters have you done, I get at least two.

A. Several.

Dien, who do you know that has been publishing digital newsletters longer than you?

A. A few, but not many.

So, my conclusion with this imaginary convo is...Dien Rice is an expert on writing digital newsletters which either make him money, gives him names to add to his lists, or to simply share his expertise with the people,

Now, if I saw a course on writing digital newsletters, and you can simply google it to see the thousands out there...

And having done very little, but some, research...I haven't found anyone selling digital newsletter courses who ACTUALLY have the experience Dien does.

So, he is the digital newsletter wizard, eh> or guru> or I'd bet you a cookie he has more hands on doing experience than 95% of those selling courses on digital newsletter publishing.

SEE? I hope my point is made. Be it magic, NLP, physics, crystal skulls, tensor rings...we have members here today...

ALL of the WIZARD/GURU status with their experiences, but they struggle to find ways to let the public know, and profit from their expertise...and one shortcut fasttrack way might be by honing an Avatar which your market can relate to instantly.

Gordon

[Dien Rice]

I thought some might be interested in this... Here's how some have "self-branded" themselves in the copywriting "space"...

"World's Greatest Copywriter" and "World's Best Copywriter" - the late Gary Halbert
"World's No. 1 Freelance Copywriter" - the late Ted Nicholas
"World’s Highest Paid Copywriter" - the late Clayton Makepeace
"World's Highest Paid Copywriter" - Dan Kennedy
"World's Most Expensive Copywriter" - Brian Keith Voiles
"World's #1 Copywriter" - Stefan Georgi
"World's Strongest Copywriter" - Per Andreasen
"World's Cockiest Copywriter" - Tjark Hartmann
"World's Fastest Copywriter" - Jack Turk

I hadn't heard of all of these people (I did a search)...

Does it work? I suspect it often does!

Best wishes,

Dien

Originally Posted by Dien Rice

Hi Gordon,

You sparked an interesting thought...

Often, by claiming something and repeating it often enough, many people will accept and believe it...

For example, Gary Halbert multiple times (in his newsletter) called himself "The World's Greatest Copywriter."

In fact, he referred to himself as that (and other superlative nicknames) in a sales letter he wrote... coming from Joe Polish!

Such as...

"For a number of years now, I've been a subscriber to another newsletter writer. I'm not quite ready to divulge his name but he has numerous nicknames like... the 'Prince of Print'... 'Ace of Space'... 'Marketing Guru'... and... 'The World's Greatest Copywriter'."

From https://www.thegaryhalbertletter.com...ss_writing.htm

Now, you gotta back it up somehow... One of Gary Halbert's main claims to fame was his "coat of arms" letter, which he said he believed was "the most widely mailed letter in history" (from here).

However, a big claim, with some "backup" and repetition (and even putting it in other people's mouths - as Gary Halbert put it in Joe Polish's "mouth" in a sales letter he wrote for him!) - can mean your "big guru" claims can stick!

Hmm... Interesting train of thought there, if I do say so myself...

Best wishes,

Dien

P.S. Gordon, did you know that this is the longest-still-running online small business discussion forum in history? I think it's true...

[GordonJ]

He has made the video vanish, one of his first presentations where he confessed to faking it until he made it...not that unusual with those guys...

But you have to hand it to him for his WIZARD/GURU avatar. With the possible exception of THE DUDE Lebowski, there isn't an image of a carefree, give a F**C attitude than a surfer dude...and Frank milked it for all it was worth.

TIME is the friend of those who stretch the truth, like Nap Hill, cause once all the guys he claims he interviewed weren't around, the proof vanished...except in his case, those titans of industry, had very well defined, and well kept schedules (diaries) of who they met with and when.

I do know, for a fact Dien, this is the longest running business forum on the Internet in which I've been an active member.

There may have been a time when I was a man of mystery, now I'm just an old open book laid bare for all to read.

What is amazing to me, look at some younger gurus, and see their younger audiences, and how they so easily accept their wizard/guru as being...THE MAN.

I recently joined one Facebook group, nothing held back, and although there are a few old timers there, most or the majority, are young people...and, well, we can watch this take place in real time.

What Gary knew, and executed so well...sure, proclaim yourself the Prince, but when you have OTHERS crown you, then your throne is assured.

Gordon

Originally Posted by Dien Rice

Hi Gordon,

You sparked an interesting thought...

Often, by claiming something and repeating it often enough, many people will accept and believe it...

For example, Gary Halbert multiple times (in his newsletter) called himself "The World's Greatest Copywriter."

In fact, he referred to himself as that (and other superlative nicknames) in a sales letter he wrote... coming from Joe Polish!

Such as...

"For a number of years now, I've been a subscriber to another newsletter writer. I'm not quite ready to divulge his name but he has numerous nicknames like... the 'Prince of Print'... 'Ace of Space'... 'Marketing Guru'... and... 'The World's Greatest Copywriter'."

From https://www.thegaryhalbertletter.com...ss_writing.htm

Now, you gotta back it up somehow... One of Gary Halbert's main claims to fame was his "coat of arms" letter, which he said he believed was "the most widely mailed letter in history" (from here).

However, a big claim, with some "backup" and repetition (and even putting it in other people's mouths - as Gary Halbert put it in Joe Polish's "mouth" in a sales letter he wrote for him!) - can mean your "big guru" claims can stick!

Hmm... Interesting train of thought there, if I do say so myself...

Best wishes,

Dien

P.S. Gordon, did you know that this is the longest-still-running online small business discussion forum in history? I think it's true...