Report from the Underground

I apologize for sending this NPT a little later than usual.

Unlike Phil Wiley (Mini Site Profits) who finally found his room and the fortitude to write his newsletter after spending 6 hours in the Hotel Washington rooftop bar on Wednesday night, I could barely function well enough to pack my bags after only 3 hours sleep. There's that excuse, plus the fact that I really wanted to sleepwalk through the Museum of American History and see Dorothy's ruby shoes before flying back to Toronto on Sunday.

OK, my priorities are a little out of whack this week - justifiable after 3 mind-blowing days at Yanik's 'Underground Seminar'.

That was the best internet marketing seminar I've ever attended.

The next time Yanik holds an internet marketing seminar - don't ask questions, seize the opportunity and go. He and his lovely wife Missy are a total class act, over-delivering to make sure everyone - attendees and speakers - were happy, comfortable and completely satisfied.

I was blown away by not only each of the speakers' depth of knowledge and the secrets they shared, but by the top-level marketers who showed up to hear the speakers and network with each other.

(The late) Corey Rudl (Insiders Secrets to Internet Marketing and many more) was there. It was such an honor to shake the hand of the man who is primarily responsible for my business success. If it wasn't for his 'Insiders Secrets' course and profiling my business in 'Secrets to Their Success', I might still be working as a silly servant.

Dan Kennedy, copywriter extraordinaire (Dan's site)was there. I confess at this point to being completely star-struck. I love Dan Kennedy's style. As per his 'No B.S.' series, Dan says it like it is - no crap, no corruption. I find my head bobbing up and down in agreement whenever I read his work. If you've been reading the NPT for any length of time, you know I too prefer simple, straightforward and honest delivery.

It was simply wonderful to meet Jim Edwards, my partner on the 'Affiliate Business Blueprint' project, (and co-author of 33 Days to Online Profits) and his adorable wife Terri.

After Yanik publicly embarrassed me for using only my Super Affiliate Handbook to teach affiliate marketing, Jim and I brainstormed the type of affiliate marketing course you've been demanding since the book was released... and YOU will be the first to know when it's ready.

Stephen Pierce (The Whole Truth & Secrets of Creating Wealth), and Michael Holland (Strike it Niche!) and Keith Baxter were there. Totally brilliant Mark Braunstein and Jack Humphrey of ContentDesk were also there. Kind and gentle-spirited John Harricharan (Power Pause) and Rebecca Fine (Science of Getting Rich) were both there.

I could have listened to Rebecca speak all day. Of the many things she said that I will carry with me forever was a strategy for eliminating negative thoughts.

Here it is.

If what you're thinking about isn't something that you want to have happen in the next three minutes... get rid of the thought and think something else. (Yes, it really is that easy.)

What else did I learn? Well, I could tell you, but then I'd have to erase your memory. :-)

Actually, when I implement some of the technical strategies I learned, I'll share 'em with you.

Until then, what I will share are two lessons that were re-inforced for me during the seminar.

The first is about relationships.

When you meet new people at a seminar, send your subscribers a newsletter or write content for your site - you're creating relationships. Place value in those relationships.

Actually, Jim Lillig, said it to me best whilst I was musing on what I'd learned during the seminar. He told me that 'it's ALL about making people happy'. He would know. Making guys happy has made him happily rich. (By the way, this guy is a walking encyclopedia of internet business. If he agrees to speak anywhere again, (and I hope he does), go to that conference. You'll learn a ton.)

The second lesson I had re-inforced was about opportunity... feeling the fear and doing it anyway.

What you may not know is that I was scared sick when I was asked to speak at Alan Bechtold and Marc Goldman's JV Summit in Vegas last year. I was so frightened  by the prospect of speaking publicly that I almost turned them down.

The night before my talk, I couldn't sleep. I awoke that morning with a bright red rash across both cheeks and the bridge of my nose. But I got up, spoke and didn't die. During the event, I met a number of people who have since become good friends and with whom I've made a lot of c/a/s/h.

Speaking at Yanik's event in front of so many famous marketers was also daunting prospect. Again, I couldn't sleep the night before my talk. However, yet again, I got up, spoke and didn't die. In fact, much to my amazement, I placed third in Yanik's 'Underground Marketer of the Year' contest and also met a publisher interested in buying a boatload of Super Affiliate Handbooks. By accepting the challenge, I learned more about the business, made new friends and business contacts with great p/r/o/f/i/t potential.

I'm now onboard Air Canada 505 bound for Chicago where I'm to speak at Ken McCarthy's System Seminar this weekend. I may or may not sleep the night before my talk, but at least now I know I won't die of fright. Better yet, I'll meet up with my now dear friend Alan Bechtold and have the opportunity to make new friends and meet still more potential business partners.

Your own Internet business opportunity is bigger than ever.

Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned marketer, it's time to step up to the plate and claim your piece of the pie. Don't let fear, lack of knowledge or m/o/n/e/y stand in your way. A good foundation will cover the rash, and a paper route will generate the start-up cash. As for learning, there's no end of super-knowledgable Internet marketers who want to help you.

Opportunity is knocking... open the door. Whatever, whomever, you find behind that door may enrich your life, or simply delight and surprise.

Whatever the case - it's all good.

'Til next time, read (write) and prosper!

Rosalind

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Rosalind Gardner is author of the best-selling "Super Affiliate Handbook: How I Made $436,797 in ONE Year Selling Other People's Stuff Online.

Super Affiliate Handbook

Parting Shots

Andre Chaperon and moi

Jim Edwards and Yanik Silver

Tom Bell and Alice Ceba

Ros and John Harricharan

Jim Lillig, Ros, Phil Wiley, Mark Braunstein, Dr. Mike and Keith Baxter